New Children’s Book Pays Tribute to East Providence Pup
Tyson, know for his sharp nose and lovable disposition, now records his adventures in 'Tyson: A Hero Dog,' with proceeds supporting local animal organizations.
Sandra Sanford and Tyson. (Photo by Tina Haddad)
At eight years old, Tyson is no stranger to celebrity.
The Yorkshire terrier-rat terrier mix from East Providence has made headlines before for his ability to sniff out lost pets. In 2021, he helped find a local attorney’s dog that had run off into the woods. Tyson’s owner, Sandra Sanford, says it’s because of his exceptional nose.
“His nose was incredible. He would travel along the front of people’s cars and start smelling the grill of the car indicating that he could smell something inside the car,” she says.
Now, Tyson is the star of his own story. Sanford recently published Tyson: A Hero Dog, a children’s book following Tyson’s adventures. Sanford says she plans to donate a portion of the proceeds to local animal shelters and rescue organizations around Rhode Island.
The pair came together in an unexpected way. After her mom passed away in 2017, Sanford was struggling with depression and in need of an animal companion. Her sister suggested she take in Tyson, who belonged to a family member. Tyson’s previous owners were expecting a baby and unable to care for an energetic pup.
“He was about five months old. He was full of energy and a go-getter. He’s a Scorpio, so they’re very determined. His birthday is Oct. 28,” she says.
After she took him in, Tyson quickly became a comfort dog not only for Sanford, but for anyone he encountered. The pair enjoys going on adventures together to Cape Cod, Maine and New Hampshire and taking long walks around Rhode Island. Tyson has his own Instagram page and is a frequent sight at his favorite spots, including Hunts Mills in East Providence and Colt State Park.
In recent months, Sanford says, Tyson has taken a step back from public life after he was diagnosed with a heart murmur and a collapsing trachea. Instead, she’s trying to continue his mission to help other pets through sales of her book. The book was published with the help of local author and publisher Joe Broadmeadow and is dedicated to the late Judge Frank Caprio.
“It’s a book with a purpose. It’s a fun-loving, adventurous book that I think children from the ages of four through ten would enjoy,” Sanford says.
This weekend, she’ll be selling copies of the book at the sold-out Mollypalooza event in Bristol that benefits Almost Home Rescue. On Oct. 17, she plans to be at the New England Witches Guild parade and festival taking place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Crescent Park in Riverside.
Fans of Tyson can also purchase copies of the book online or through Amazon, Walmart or Barnes and Noble.
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