Tyrion Pittister — a rescued pit bull who inspired two children’s books — will be on hand at the McCandless Crossing shopping center Aug. 8 to “pawtagraph” copies of his latest publication, “Tyrion’s Town.”
The pet-friendly event is one of several planned this summer and fall to celebrate the opening of the Pet Valu Dog Park at the shopping center. The 1/4-acre gated dog park is located at the corner of Cumberland Road and Covenant Avenue adjacent to the Pet Valu store.
Tyrion will be accompanied by staff from Pet Valu, Riverstone Books and the Pittsburgh-based pit bull rescue group Hello Bully.
“We truly enjoy building community with our events at McCandless Crossing,” said Kevin Dougherty, a spokesman for the shopping center. “From our outdoor concerts throughout the summer to events where we partner with businesses in McCandless Crossing, like this children’s author program, our goal is to provide entertainment for people in and around McCandless.”
“Tyrion’s Town” is a children’s book about moving to a new neighborhood and facing fear and uncertainty.
“His message to everyone who reads his book is that everybody is scared of things, including big changes like moving,” said writer Laurie Holding, who adopted Tyrion after he was rescued. “We have to keep moving forward and carry our happiness inside of us to help us find new people to love and new things to do.”
Tyrion’s first children’s book “Tyrion’s Tale” chronicles his life since being rescued from neglect and abuse.
“This book’s theme is that no matter what life deals you, and no matter what you look like, you can still have hope and find beauty in this world if you open your heart,” Holding said.
Tyrion was rescued by the Humane Society in 2014 from a dog-fighting ring in Georgia. He was first taken in by the Pittsburgh-based nonprofit group Hello Bully rescue.
In 2015, he became the first animal to receive a grant from the Ian Somerhalder Foundation to help pay for some of his medical treatment.
Tyrion lives in Sewickley with Holding and her husband.
