Joanie Janov Andrews is an animal lover from Elizabeth, Pa. While raising a family and working as a registered nurse she enjoyed writing short stories and poetry. When her family was younger she took them to a local animal shelter looking for a dog that would be safe with children and cats. She was introduced to a sweet pit-bull mix named "Thurston". Thurston and Joanie fell in love with each other and she adopted him. Joanie was so impressed by the dog's intelligence and sweet disposition she began writing a series of children's books about him.