Mabel and the Boys
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Mabel and the Boys
Mabel Finds Home (Book 1)
by Don Sanderson
Mabel Finds Home (Book 1)
A Dog and Her Boys Series
Mabel’s journey begins with uncertainty—but it leads her exactly where she belongs.
In Mabel Finds Home, readers are introduced to a gentle, loyal dog searching for safety, love, and a place to call her own. Along the way, Mabel faces new sights, unfamiliar sounds, and moments that test her courage. Yet even in the unknown, there is a quiet hope guiding her forward.
That hope is fulfilled when she meets three boys—Jack, Otie, and Coen—whose lives are about to be changed just as much as hers. What begins as a simple meeting quickly becomes something deeper: a bond built on trust, kindness, and unconditional love.
Through tender moments and heartfelt discovery, Mabel learns what it means to be part of a family—and the boys discover the joy and responsibility of caring for a faithful friend.
Perfect for young readers and families, Mabel Finds Home is a warm and meaningful story about belonging, compassion, and the life-changing power of love. It reminds us all that sometimes, home isn’t just a place—it’s the people (and pets) who welcome you in.
A frightened dog. Three young boys.
One unexpected journey toward trust.
Mabel wasn’t looking for a family.
Rescued from a painful past, she carries the quiet scars of fear—especially around men. When she finds herself in a small hotel room with a young family waiting for a new beginning, she keeps her distance, watching, waiting, unsure.
But something begins to change.
Jack is patient.
Otie is curious.
Baby Coen is unaware of fear—and full of wonder.
And Mabel is always watching.
As unfamiliar sounds echo through the hallway at night and uncertainty fills the small space they share, the boys begin to discover what Mabel already knows: safety isn’t just a place—it’s something built, moment by moment.
And sometimes, the bravest thing you can do… is trust.
Told through the eyes of family, loyalty, and quiet courage, Mabel Finds Home is a heartfelt, fast-paced adventure that captures the powerful bond between a rescue dog and the boys who refuse to give up on her.
Perfect for readers ages 6–11, this first book in the A Dog and Her Boys series introduces a world where courage is learned, trust is earned, and love has the power to turn fear into belonging.
I am a husband, father, dad, papaw, and pastor, and live in Vista, California
Don Sanderson is a pastor, grandfather, and storyteller whose greatest inspiration comes from family, faith, and real-life moments that shape the heart. He and his wife, Shari, have been married for over 40 years and have served in ministry together from the very beginning. They have two children and three grandsons—Jack, Otie, and Coen—whose lives and adventures inspired the A Dog and Her Boys series. Don holds a Master of Arts in Practical Theology and a Master of Professional Studies from the University of Chester (England), and is currently pursuing doctoral research through the Centre for Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies at Bangor University (Wales). With more than 30 years of pastoral leadership, Don and Shari have helped lead church revitalizations and a successful church merger and now serve as pastors of Vista Assembly of God in Southern California, where they are passionate about investing in families and the next generation. His debut children’s series, A Dog and Her Boys, is based on a true story. Mabel—their family’s rescue dog—and the boys are real. Each book blends adventure, warmth, and meaningful life lessons, helping children ages 6–11 grow in courage, wisdom, and compassion. When he’s not writing or pastoring, Don enjoys time with his family, encouraging young leaders, and watching stories unfold—both on the page and in real life.
The Backyard Mystery (Book 2)
The Backyard Mystery
A Dog and Her Boys Series
What starts as a normal day quickly turns into an unexpected adventure when the boys discover something strange in their backyard. Unfamiliar tracks, hidden clues, and curious sounds spark their imagination—and a mystery begins to unfold.
In The Backyard Mystery, Mabel, the loyal and watchful dog, senses that something isn’t quite right. With her steady presence and keen instincts, she stays close as Jack, Otie, and Coen set out to uncover the truth. Each boy plays an important role—Jack leads with growing confidence, Otie asks thoughtful questions, and little Coen brings wonder to every moment.
As they follow the clues, the boys learn that solving a mystery takes more than curiosity—it requires teamwork, courage, and trust. Along the way, they discover that some of the greatest adventures happen not far from home, but right where they are.
Perfect for young readers and families, this heartwarming story celebrates friendship, discovery, and the special bond between a dog and the boys she loves.
