Anyone who knows me is aware that I am a passionate animal lover. So when author Libby Bagby registered for the 2013 Book ‘Em North Carolina event with a heartwarming true tale of a dog named Lucky, I was hooked.
Ten years ago, Libby was driving along N.C. 89 in Surry County when she spied a dog in trouble. She phoned her husband Rick to help her rescue the dog and when they took him to a local vet, they discovered he had two broken hind legs.
They adopted him and immediately named him Lucky. He is now 11 years old and Libby hopes to bring him to Book ‘Em North Carolina with her, where she’ll be selling and signing copies of two books inspired by this truly lucky dog.
Lucky is a Plott Hound and although most North Carolinians don’t know much about the breed, the Plott Hound is the official Tar Heel state dog. Libby and Lucky are now dedicated to spreading information about this breed, how they were originally bred by the Plott family, and how the Plotts were early pioneers in settling some of the state’s mountain regions. To date, they have appeared in more than 39 counties and spoken (or howled) to more than 13,500 people.
Their appearances led to the writing of “Lucky’s Plott, a Plott Hound Tale.” It shares Lucky’s true rescue story and teaches character traits of the Plott breed. She teamed with illustrator Heidi Carr Harris to make a truly beautiful book. It was followed by an educator’s guide, “Tracking Plott Hound History, NC’s State Dog.”
Libby Bagby taught high school for 30 years. Fourteen of those years were in the Business Education Classroom at Myers Park High School in Charlotte. Another 16 years were spent in the media center at both Myers Park and North Surry High School in Surry County, where she was working when she found Lucky.
Her writing experience before she met Lucky was limited to research papers in high school and college, writing educator grants and writing scholarship recommendations for her students. She says that Lucky was the gift that truly started her writing career.
You can read more about Libby Bagby and Lucky by visiting their website at www.luckysplott.com. I also hope you’ll remember Feb. 23 is our next Book ‘Em North Carolina event, in which more than 75 authors, publishers, book promoters, literary agents and one awesome Hollywood producer will be appearing. The event is free and open to the public. All book sales benefit literacy campaigns right here in Robeson County. You’ll find Libby near The Children’s Corner — and if Lucky feels like traveling that weekend, he’ll be right there beside her!
Lumberton resident p.m.terrell is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning author of more than 16 books. She is also the co-founder of The Book ‘Em Foundation and co-chair of Book ‘Em North Carolina. For information about the Book ‘Em event, visit www.bookemnc.org.
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