by Louise Harrison
El Gleeson has just launched her first novel Halo I’m Juno, an inspiring book about hope and trust as she tells the story of her rescue dog who she has loved, cared for and helped to recover from abuse he received when he was a puppy.
Originally from Kilmallock but now living in Killaloe, El is a Chaplain to post- primary schools. She adopted her dog Juno from the Dog Welfare Centre in Limerick and contributions from the sale of each book are going to Bóthar and leadership training for young people in Limerick.
“Within twenty four hours of adopting Juno, I realised something serious had happened to him. I later found out he was badly beaten in a shed by a man with a stick.
“I wanted to tell his story to give others hope who suffer from bullying or abuse, that there is hope and things do not stay the same.
“Juno’s story hasn’t a Hollywood ending and he will never fully get over what happened but he has come such a long way,” said El.
El, who has studied dog psychology, adopted Juno he was just 16 weeks old. She discovered that had lived on a farm and was one of eight puppies who had been well fed and cared for.
However, during a raid on the farm one stormy night, Juno had been badly beaten.
“I firmly believed I would be able to sort Juno in a matter of two to three months. This was not to be the case, progress was exceptionally slow, but things started to change for him and his confidence began to grow,” said El.
El, who works with teenagers and is aware of the level of bullying that takes place in their lives on a daily basis, wanted to tell Juno’s story in his own words, and for people to see Juno while he is still young and still growing in confidence.
The book took a year to write and Juno is just three years old now. El said she decided to write the book because she could see the hurt in peoples lives and there is always a need for inspiring stories that can give hope and courage for people to keep going.
“I want his story with its powerful message to reach every corner of the world where there are people hurting and for it to touch their hearts. It is a message of hope and trust, and there are so many people needing to hear and feel this message,” said El.
‘Halo I’m Juno’ can be purchased for €9.99 on www.haloimjuno.com or contact El at [email protected]
