Given the number of jokes about heartless lawyers that exist, the first thing that comes to most people's minds when they think of lawyers isn't usually compassion. But in a new book to be released by the Massachusetts School of Law in Andover, compassion and kindness are quite apparent.
"Please, Can We Keep the Donkey? A Collection of Animal Stories" offers first-hand animal rescue and adoption stories written by students and staff at the school. It will be released April 12, the day of an animal-rights symposium at Massachusetts School of Law. Each of the 49 essays tells of how a law school student or staff member helped or adopted a neglected, injured or homeless animal — cats, dogs, rabbits, boa constrictors and more — and how the animal, in turn, brightened the life of its rescuer.
The book's foreword is written by Betty White, animal activist and actress known for television roles such as Rose on "The Golden Girls."
Diane Sullivan and Holly Vietzke, law professors at the school, served as the book's editors, collecting essays from students and co-workers. Sullivan said they were overwhelmed by the amazing stories shared in the book, many from people who don't consider themselves to be an "animal person."
"I can't tell you how excited and positive people have been. They're ecstatic," Sullivan said of the few advanced copies of the book that have been circulating at the school. "Even nonanimal people have nothing but glowing comments."
Sullivan, a North Andover resident, penned two essays in the collection, telling the story of how she and her two dogs, Whitey and Winnie, found each other at animal rescue shelters.
All proceeds from sales of "Please, Can We Keep the Donkey?" will go to the Shadow Fund, which helps local financially strapped residents pay for veterinary treatment for their pets.
Sullivan was instrumental in starting the fund three years ago, which initially was for Shadow, a 5-year-old yellow lab rescued by Lawrence resident Robert Burke, a Vietnam veteran unable to pay for a surgery Shadow needed. Sullivan and her animal-law classes collected donations over and above what was needed to cover Shadow's surgery, and the surplus started the Shadow Fund.
In "Please, Can We Keep the Donkey?" law students and professors write of stopping to help a cat hit by a swerving car, taking an injured stray to an all-night veterinary hospital, adopting a dog from a neighbor who would "forget" to give the pooch food or water, and taking home a donkey from a going-out-of-business petting zoo.
The donkey, who is referenced in the book's title, was named Chester Harrington, and came home to live in its new family's barn, ousting the author's father's 1967 Chevy Corvette.
"My brother and I decided that it would be much easier to keep a donkey in the barn as opposed to a Corvette, and besides, the donkey seemed more fun to us. After my begging, pleading, crying and a temper tantrum of still unconfirmed proportions, my father uttered the now-famous family words, 'We'll take him,'" wrote Lance Harrington, a law-school student.
Another essay tells of adopting Jake, a full-size poodle, from a rescue shelter. As Troy Daniels, the author, walked out of the shelter with Jake, a woman in the lobby scolded her child not to pet the "ugly dog." Now, with plenty of love and care, Jake is a happy, healthy dog and Daniels says he gets compliments on how beautiful his pet is.
Sullivan, a fervent animal-rights activist, assigned the essays to one of her animal-law classes after a class visit by retired Marine Lt. Col. Jay Kopelman, who wrote a book about a puppy he rescued in Iraq.
After reading the essays, some of which brought her to tears, Sullivan approached Vietzke, who teaches animal-law classes at the school with Sullivan.
"Diane came in and said, 'I think we have something here.' I read the essays and I knew they were terrific," Vietzke said.
From there, the two professors asked for essays from the entire campus, both students and staff. They edited, collected photos, compiled 49 of the essays and started contacting publishers.
"I'm sure some people here thought we were crazy," Vietzke said of the unexpected combination of animal rescues and lawyers.
The book's target audience is animal lovers of all ages, and they hope that "somebody that picks the book up might think of checking out an animal shelter instead of a breeder," said Vietzke. "We'd like it to be known that there are so many animals out there in need of a good home, and that an animal changes your life for the better."
Copies of "Please, Can We Keep the Donkey?" can be purchased through the school's Web site, www.mslaw.edu, or by calling 978-681-0800.
"Please, Can We Keep the Donkey?" book signing
Thursday, April 10, 7 p.m.
Andover Bookstore, 89R Main St., Andover
Editors Diane Sullivan and Holly Vietzke will sign copies and talk about the book.
For information, call the store at 978-475-0143.
Animal rights day and book release event
Saturday, April 12, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Massachusetts School of Law, 500 Federal St., Andover
Admission is free; lunch is included.
For a complete schedule of events, directions or more information, visit www.mslaw.edu or call 978-681-0800.
Highlights of the day include:
— Children and family events include agility demonstrations, animal craft, demonstrations by "working" dogs in today's society (therapy pets, canine teams and police dogs), pet etiquette, pet tricks and the school's Humane-itarian award.
— Adult sessions include investigating and prosecuting animal cruelty, a talk by Officer Martha Parkhurst of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, discussions on animals as property, case review of a claim for negligent infliction of emotional distress damages, pending legislation for trust for care of animals, no-kill shelters, case review of saving a dog's life, the practice of animal law and other animal-rights issues.
