Fran's Second Chance

Fran’s Second Chance: How a Rescue Pit Bull Learned to Trust and Love Again is a tender, beautifully illustrated children’s book told from the perspective of a rescued pit bull named Fran. With warmth, honesty, and gentle emotion, Fran shares what it feels like to be overlooked, chosen, and finally loved.

Once inside a shelter, Fran waits quietly as people pass by. When she is finally chosen by her forever family, she steps into a new world—one built on patience, kindness, and trust. From her first wiggly moments of hope to the slow, meaningful work of learning to feel safe, Fran’s story gently explores what it means to heal after hardship and to believe in second chances.

Written in lyrical, child-friendly language and paired with soft watercolor illustrations, this book introduces young readers to themes of compassion, resilience, and unconditional love. Fran’s voice reminds children that being rescued does not mean being broken—it means being worthy of love.

Fran’s Second Chance is more than a story about adoption. It is a celebration of the quiet courage it takes to trust again and the powerful bond that forms when people choose love, even when it requires patience. Through Fran’s journey, children learn that healing takes time, love is learned, and that when we open our hearts, we can change lives—both our own and those of others.

Perfect for families, classrooms, and anyone who believes in the beauty of rescue, this heartfelt story encourages empathy, kindness, and understanding. Fran’s journey offers young readers a gentle reminder that every animal deserves safety, every heart deserves hope, and that sometimes, the ones we save end up saving us too.

Dr. Kiley Manetta is an OB-GYN, lifelong animal lover, and passionate advocate for rescue dogs. In both her medical practice and her personal life, she believes in the healing power of patience, kindness, and second chances.Her journey into rescue began in 2017 with the adoption of Smokey and Peaches, two dogs who forever changed her understanding of unconditional love. When both dogs passed away in 2024, Kiley found herself heartbroken and searching for meaning in the quiet they left behind. That journey led her to the DeKalb County Animal Shelter and the Weekend Warrior program, where she met Fran.Fran's story-and the gentle, courageous work of learning to trust again-inspired Kiley to write Fran's Second Chance, her first children's book. Told from Fran's perspective, the story reflects the lessons Kiley sees every day in medicine and in life: healing takes time, love is learned, and growth happens when we choose patience over perfection.Through her writing, Kiley hopes to help children understand compassion, resilience, and the beauty of choosing kindness-both for animals and for one another. She also donates a portion of proceeds from her work to support rescue organizations close to her heart.Kiley lives with her husband and their rescue dogs, where muddy paws, gentle moments, and second chances are part of everyday life.