A Weekend in Mabel's Paws

Kati Hook and her loyal French Bulldog, Mabel, reside together at the Flying H Ranch, 20 acres of paradise and animal sanctuary in the Indiana heartland not far from Lake Michigan and the Indiana Dunes. They share the ranch with Kati's parents, Tom and Paula, 4 horses, 4 mini horses, 4 Scottish Highland cows, 5 dogs, 7 goats, 1 cat and pig. Kati lives with Friedrich's Ataxia (FA), a rare neurological disease that impact's her daily life in ways large and small. Today, she uses a wheelchair and a mobility equipped van to get about. Kati spent her young years in south suburban Chicago and relocated to Northwest Indiana as a teenager. She attended college and has worked as an elementary school aid. The Hook family, including Kati's sisters, Carli, who has FA, and Jami, are active with FARA, the Friedrich's Ataxia Research Alliance, hosting fundraisers, awareness initiatives and an annual event known as FA Woodstock at the ranch. As of 2016, there is no cure for FA. While they look for treatment and effective therapies, Kati and Mabel are inseparable, loving life and writing books to share their adventures on the ranch and beyond. Pay them a virtual visit on the ranch at www.hooksflyinghranch.com and at the "Flying H Ranch" on Facebook. More information on Friedrich's Ataxia can be found at www.curefa.orgMark Coleman is a wonderful illustrator and has generously donated a lot of his time helping Kati and Mabel creating their books.