“(The books) are
about the love of
animals, especially
shelter animals.… I
believe that if you
save a life, somehow
it gives back to you.”
Ms. Castriota had surgery and after treatment,
was declared cancer free. Her story was the
subject of live network TV appearances on
“The Doctors” and , ”Fox and Friends.”
Susan believes that although Bella’s ability
to detect cancer in its early stages was indeed
amazing, it may have all been the result of her
poodle, Wilson, whom she adopted from a kill
shelter, and who had multiple health issues
brought on by a former owner who had been
a smoker. When she adopted Wilson, he had
pneumonia, kennel cough, and a host of other
problems that were life-threatening. She and a
veterinarian nursed Wilson back to health.
Wilson’s story was the first of her books:
“Wilson Gets Adopted.” It’s about how
52 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | Upper St. Clair
she came to find a companion for Bella by
looking for a dog to save from a shelter. It
tells, through Wilson’s words and illustrations
by Ms. Castriota, of being saved and being
nursed back to health.
“I never really started out to be a writer,”
Susan says. “But I think Wilson’s story was
one that has a message. A message that tells
of the value of adopting a pet, and also of the
effect second-hand smoke has on pets as well
as individuals.”
The published book led to a number
of book signings and appearances at local
schools, and she followed it up with her
second book, entitled “Wilson Learns
Manners.”
“It’s kind of obvious in today’s society that
(children) are a little lacking in manners.
Even (my) adult children have bad cell phone
manners,” she said. “It occurred to me that my
second book should have that message.
Her third book, “Wilson and the White
House Pups,” was the result of research into
past presidents’ dogs, and an outgrowth of
her work as an artist in which she designed
Christmas cards of for the White House and
ornaments that hung on the White House
trees.
“It was election year (2008) and I had
a couple of other books penned out, and I
thought it would be interesting to do a book
on dogs of the presidents,” Susan said. “I have
always been interested in history and the
White House, and I did the research online.
The story was checked for accuracy by White
House historians. President Barack Obama,
and every living president, has a copy of the
book, and Obama along with George W. Bush
and Bill Clinton have sent her personal notes
of thanks for their copies.
Her past work in designing Christmas cards
and ornaments for the White House also
provided the opportunity to meet President
George H.W. Bush, and former vice presidents
Al Gore and Dick Cheney. She also designed
the Christmas cards once sent out by Cheney,
along with a number of U.S. congressmen and