I

Ivy was born
in rural South Carolina in 1996. A Labrador Retriever and Chow Chow mix, the puppy had no pedigree and was taken to a flea market to be sold with her brothers and sisters.

 Greg and Jane Evans of Columbia, S.C., saw the fluffy puppy with the swooping tail and debated whether they should take her home. The decision was hastily made when they were told that Ivy would be thrown into a river and drowned if not sold that day.

 The asking price: A mere $5!

In 2003, Ivy met Karen Petit, a writer in Columbia, when “Miss Jane and Mr. Greg” were moving to Charleston.  Karen, who had had a sad bump in her life, adopted Ivy.

A new chapter in their lives had begun.

Karen, a North Carolina native who moved to Greenwood, S.C., at age 5, has had a lifelong passion for reading. Living in a small town before the days of malls and the Internet, Karen found her source of entertainment to be books, and more books!

In college, she turned her love for reading into a love for writing. She earned a bachelor’s degree in news-editorial journalism from the University of South Carolina and worked as a newspaper reporter and editor before beginning a career in public relations.

Ivy inspired her new Lady-Guardian to write a book with mystery, adventure and romance!

With Ivy’s help, Karen wrote her way to happiness. 

Today, their story is an example of the magical healing power of pets.  And as for that $5?

Ivy and her love are simply priceless!