L.C. Scott

Yes, Hershey was a real dog--a big red-and-brown dobie with cropped ears. Here is a photo of the real Hershey who was as sweet as the surrounding flowers.

L.C. Scott has been a dog owner since the tender age of two when her first dog, a German shepherd mix named Tiger, became her special friend and protector. Over the years, she has loved many a dog, including a spunky Irish setter, a yellow Labrador retriever, a fluffy white Great Pyrenees, and an Airedale terrier who pranced like a pony. Her current canine companion is also her first small dog, a wire fox terrier who thinks he is a big dog.

Hershey: A Second Chance is based on a Doberman whose name really was Hershey. He was a rescue dog with a loving nature adopted by L.C.'s parents. She wanted to write a chapter book about Hershey so boys, who struggle with reading more often than girls do, would have an interesting book to read about a boy who had trouble learning to read. She also wanted kids to understand that older dogs that are rescued or adopted can make great pets.

Hershey was the last, and perhaps most beloved, of her father's dogs. A huge black-and-red Doberman with a cropped tail and uncropped ears, the real Hershey was just as endearing as the character in this book. Before he was rescued, Hershey had lived in a garage. He was quite confused when he first entered a home. He walked on the couches and jumped on the chairs until he learned that he belonged on the floor, not on the furniture.

Hershey was very social and loved going to dog obedience school. Although Hershey was the star of his class, he did cause mischief by trying to play with other dogs when he was supposed to be paying attention--just like the Hershey in the book.

When L.C. first heard about reading dog programs and saw photographs of little children confidently reading aloud to dogs, she knew reading to dogs was magic! Dogs never correct children when they are reading out loud like adults do.

L.C. Scott has taught classes at the high school and university level. She now spends her time writing and helping other authors publish their writing as ebooks. When she's not writing or playing with animals, L.C. can be found walking the beaches of her coastal community, swimming laps in her backyard pool, practicing Tai Chi, and voraciously reading many a good book on her sunny patio. She resides in Southern California with her feisty wire fox terrier, Ralph, a cat, and a parrot.