New York Times bestselling author Jon Katz will come to Petersburgh for a reading from his new book Saving Simon: How A Rescue Donkey Taught Me the Meaning of Compassion on Thursday, November 6, at 7 pm at the Petersburgh Town Hall. Hosted by the Petersburgh Public Library, Katz will be accompanied by his border collie/therapy dog Red.
The author of 26 books, including works of nonfiction, novels, short stories and books for children, Katz is also a photographer. He has written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Slate, Rolling Stone and The AKC Gazette and has worked for CBS News, The Boston Globe, The Washington Post and The Philadelphia Inquirer. He lives in Washington County with his wife, the artist Maria Wulf, and their dogs, donkeys, barn cats, sheep and chickens. He posts a popular daily blog “Bedlam Farm Journal.”
In the spring of 2011, Katz wasn’t planning on adding another animal to his already full home on Bedlam Farm, but when he was notified of a malnourished donkey that all changed. From the moment he saw the wrenching sight of Simon, he couldn’t help falling in love with the skinny, mangy donkey who had already suffered so much. Katz immediately decided to take him in.
There followed a difficult road to recovery, Katz fed Simon by hand, read to him and took him on walks. As their friendship grew, Simon taught Katz the true significance of compassion and how to open up “not just to Simon, not just to animals, but to the human experience. To love, to risk, to friendship.”
With warmth and keen emotional insight, Katz takes his readers on a rewarding journey to discover a more meaningful life. Come and meet Katz on November 6. Refreshments will be served. Copies of the book will be available for purchase.