Some Press we’ve received

Ally Del Monte will be 11 years old next week. But the Port Chester upstart has already done something that few ever accomplish in their lifetimes-she has written her own book. Her mother, Wendy, published it in June.

“Lilly’s Story” tells the tale of a fictional dog and its travels from puppy mills to pet stores, the street, animal shelters and the homes of families. The book also shines some light on puppy mills, which churn out hundreds of thousands of new puppies each year in America alone.

The book features 15 separate illustrations, all drawn by the 10-year-old. That is quite an accomplishment for anyone, let alone a fifth-grader at King Street School.

Ally is modest about her achievements. It doesn’t take her long to write and draw, she said. Her renderings adorn the walls of her family’s dining room. It is something she loves to do. Just like reading, singing and writing. She reads so much that her mother has to tell her to turn off the lights.

She is currently involved in “High School Musical,” where is playing the part of Martha Cox in the Port Chester Council for the Arts production. Del Monte gets to sing and dance while she plays Cox, known as a “brainiac.” And she just wrapped up a stint at a writing camp hosted by SUNY Purchase through Long Island University.

Ally’s true passion lies in helping dogs. The Del Monte family has been rescuing dogs ever since Ally’s parents, Dave and Wendy, adopted a blind Pekingese dog. They currently have three dogs, two Pekingese (Gabie and Winkie) and a chiwawa (Sophie). Winkie has only one eye. The Del Montes picked them up from Little Forgotten Friends Rescue in Middletown, N.Y. Ally’s little brother, Aedan, also helps take care of the dogs.

The family wishes that all those seeking to bring a dog home would use reputable rescue shelters rather than pet stores.

A lot of the dogs they find have health problems their owners did not want to pay for. For example, Winkie only has one eye. They have also cared for a Pekingese named Peaches, who battled autism, and a dog named Fuzzard who dealt with testicular cancer and then suffered a stroke. Several of their dogs had tumors as well. Ally and her mom believe the puppy mills pass on birth defects over generations. All of those health problems have cost the Del Montes a bundle in veterinarian bills. But, said Wendy, “it is worth it.”

Ally suggests that those searching for a dog use petfinder.com online. “I highly recommend it to anybody who wants a dog. You can look up any breed in your area,” she said.

The Del Montes will dress up their dogs once in a while and have entered them into the annual Greenwich Adopt a Dog Show, where they have won various awards.

“Last year, we had to stop doing dog rescue because of the economy,” said Ally. “I wanted another dog but we couldn’t.” Instead, Ally’s mom suggested that she do something else to help dogs. When Ally said she wanted to write a book, Wendy promised she would have it published. So Ally worked on the story every day.

“I didn’t know she was really going to publish it,” said Ally.

“I didn’t think she was really going to do it,” retorted Wendy, adding: “When you make a promise to your kids, you have to follow through with it, especially when you are trying to make the world a better place.”

They received some assistance for the publishing from “an angel,” said Wendy. Their friend Allison Cimmino, a graphic designer, added her typesetting skills.

Ally plans on using the proceeds from the book to help rescue shelters that are hurting due to the recession. The young author hopes to one day have her own rescue shelter. She said she treats her dogs like they are her children.

“The most heartbreaking part of being a dog owner is knowing when to say goodbye to them,” said Wendy. Sometimes, before a dog is put to sleep, Wendy will give it chocolate.

“Lilly’s Story” isn’t the only work of literature Del Monte has completed. The English honor student, who also plays the saxophone, has written a screenplay about teenagers titled “Talent” and a “Wizard of Oz” takeoff called “Ruby Sunglasses.”

The young author will be at Bellizi Restaurant in Larchmont on Saturday, Aug. 8 at 6 p.m. for a book signing. The restaurant is located in the Trader Joe’s Center at 1272 Boston Post Rd.

The Del Montes will be moving to Connecticut in August.

This is part of the July 31, 2009 online edition of Port Chester Westmore News.  Reprinted wiht Permission.

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