Jan Soderquist and Lily Lu

A lifelong lover of dogs, Jan was inspired by her beloved pup, Lily, to write an uplifting book that both warms the heart, and increases awareness around an evil, multibillion dollar industry – Puppy Mills.


Jan is committed, through the promotion of her book and the important cause surrounding  it, to  spreading the word by giving talks around the country to inform and educate the the general public about the cruelty inflicted on dogs in puppy mills, and what each of us can do, individually, or collectively, to help end it.  She’s convinced that encouraging education at all levels about this heartbreaking situation, is key to accomplishing what is clearly a critically essential goal to anyone who loves animals.


Eager to assist shelters and rescue organizations in finding forever homes for dogs that need rescuing and love, she is anxiously awaiting the day when puppy mills are gone forever.

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Meet The Pack

LILY LU had an extraordinary life filled with travel and loads of exciting adventures. Introduced to carrier bags of all shapes and sizes at a very early age, she was always up for a brand-new experience, and was born with a zest for FUN that was off the charts!

 

At barely 16 lbs., our little girl had a personality that could fill an auditorium! Making people laugh and feel good came naturally to her.

 

Lily got along with everyone – even cats! A very caring and sharing foster sister, she welcomed many a rescue dog into her home with a wide-open heart – spreading the love both here and all the way across rainbow bridge, where there is no doubt, her dedication to saving her friends in shelters and puppy mills continues without paws.

 

Lily, my beloved…you will live in our hearts forever.

 

 

Lily Lu

CLASS OF 2006

Voted most likely to

succeed at stealing hearts

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JAN SODERQUIST is the self published author of Havanese Day – The Power of Pawsitive Thinking. She is also the Founder of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Havanese Day, Inc.

 

A professional photographer for more than 30 years, Jan is well established in portraiture and the art of hand-coloring black and white prints.  A forerunner in the revival of this age-old technique, her expertise landed her a contract with a Swiss poster company that published most of her portfolio of Fine Art hand colored portraits of children, with wide distribution throughout Europe and the United States. To see samples of her work, visit soderquistphoto.com.

 

Earlier in her career, and with a degree in Wildlife Conservation from the University of Massachusetts, she joined the Founder and CEO of The Center For Action on Endangered Species in coordinating international conferences and securing critical legislation to protect whales, dolphins, seals, and a few less popular species including bats, which sadly, through no fault of their own, were much more difficult to raise money and awareness around.

 

As her horizons and connections expanded, her love for nature, animals, and photography resulted in an invitation from Sir Richard Branson to her and a team of biologists to document and photograph the flora and fauna on his private island, Necker, which culminated in a published guidebook for his resort. Both she and her husband and business partner, Gareth Rockliffe, were later invited back to the island to update the guidebook and create an elaborate video production.

 

For the next 25 years, Jan and Gareth built a reputation for their stunning and timeless imagery, attention to detail, and personalized approach to working with clients from all over the world. They are both so very appreciative of having the opportunity to meet and engage with so many wonderful people.  Their work has been featured in numerous publications and exhibitions, and they continue to push the boundaries of their creative expression.

 

Fast forward to now…having found her soul purpose in life,  Jan is excited about writing more books and is completely immersed in animal rescue work. Truly honored to be  collaborating with so many like-minded people, she is committed to saving as many dogs as possible who desperately need rescuing and love. 

 

A dedicated foster mom, Jan, Gareth, and their two rescue pups have created a comfortable home base in Naples, Florida. 

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GARETH ROCKLIFFE has achieved international recognition for his soulful landscape photography and has exhibited widely throughout the United States and Europe. He is a five-time recipient of the title “Honorary Color Master” and received the prestigious Photography Masters Cup in addition to “Outstanding Achievement Award” from the International Kontinent Awards.

 

A few years ago Gareth, Jan, and Lily embarked on an epic project called the Great American Coastline, which they funded through a Kickstarter campaign. They traveled from San Diego, CA to Cape Flattery, WA capturing the majesty and beauty of the Pacific coastline and producing a DVD and coffee table book of their adventures.

 

Recently Gareth has expanded his artistic expression through a collection of short films entitled ‘Contemplations’. They represent the full spectrum of his creative skills from photography, video editing to the narration of his writings. “It is one of my long-held desires that as humans, we begin to recognize the things we have in common, and so, begin to appreciate our connectivity.  I hope that through discussion of my series, we can start that process and begin to move a little closer together”. Check out Gareth’s work at: Garethrockliffe.com.

 

Working collaboratively on creative photographic projects for both corporate and private clients, Gareth and Jan have been blessed to travel the world, often with Lily curled up on one of their laps, or taking in some beautiful scenery from her comfy back seat on the motorcycle.  

What an incredible journey!

Gareth and Lilly
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Sadie Lynn was rescued the day before she was scheduled to be euthanized at a kill shelter on the east coast of Florida, by Find A Home Give A Home – a local rescue organization where Jan and Gareth do volunteer work.

 

She came to them with advanced heartworm and debilitating fear that was at a level they had never seen in a dog before. It turns out, Sadie had been severely abused for three years, by not only her previous owners but by two other dogs living in the house with her.

 

After fostering Sadie for a short time Jan and Gareth adopted her, and through patience and a lot of love, they helped her to overcome her fear and fully trust them.

 

Now, nearly 7 years young, Sadie is the sweet, playful, and loving dog she always was.

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SHEP BLU is the most recent recruit to the pack.  Also rescued by Find A Home Give A Home, Shep was a 7-month old puppy when he was shot in the Hillsborro area of Florida on the 4th of July, 2022 for chasing a cat…and left to die by the cruel person who pulled the trigger.

 

Thanks to a kind and compassionate woman who found him and reported the incident to Domestic Services, Shep was taken to a nearby shelter where he was transported to an emergency veterinary clinic for surgery.

 

He is now living a full and exciting life with a family who loves him, cared for him throughout his long recovery and ultimately, adopted him.  That family is us!

 

And even though he has lost a front leg because of the traumatic shooting, and now must get around on three, you would never be able to convince this adorable, lovable, and VERY active little guy, that he ever had four!

Our Calling

Our purpose is clear…to assist rescue organizations and shelters across the country

in their relentless efforts in saving as many dogs as possible – whether homeless or

imprisoned in deplorable puppy mills, and give them the care and respect that

each and every one of them is entitled to. 

Why adopt a dog from a shelter?

                   

  Because every dog deserves a loving, forever home.

“People who say, ‘money can’t buy you happiness’

have never paid an adoption fee.”

Anonymous

Join Us in Making a Difference in the World

By increasing awareness through public education around the horrific abuses that occur in puppy mills, and joining forces with activists, legislators, rescue organizations, and shelters that are taking action to shut them down, we will collectively win this battle.

 

Please consider becoming a part of this life-saving movement.

 

By purchasing a book, you have already become part of the solution.