Meet the Curious Pup who Inspired the Adventures with Maverick Series!

BEHIND THE SCENESADVENTURES

Heather George

6/29/202511 min read

a dog is running through the grass in the yard

The heartwarming story of how my curious pup inspired a magical children's book series

Every great children's book begins with a spark of inspiration, and for me, that spark came in the form of four paws, a wagging tail, and an insatiable curiosity for adventure. Meet Maverick—not just the star of my newly released "Adventures with Maverick: The Curious Pup," but my real-life furry muse who brought the enchanting world of Sunnyvale to life.

The Real Maverick: A Pup with Personality Plus

In the quiet moments before dawn, when the world is still wrapped in sleepy silence, there's one household member who's already plotting the day's adventures. Maverick, my English Cream Goldendoodle with boundless energy and an infectious zest for life, doesn't just wake up—he springs into action with the kind of enthusiasm that could power a small town.

Maverick has this incredible ability to find joy in absolutely everything. Whether it's the sound of his food bowl being filled, the sight of his favorite orange bouncy ball, or simply the prospect of a walk around the neighborhood, he approaches each moment with this pure, unbridled excitement that's absolutely contagious.

This infectious enthusiasm became the cornerstone of Maverick's literary character. In the book, readers meet a pup who wakes each morning with a big stretch and a loud "YAWN!" ready for whatever Sunnyvale might offer. This isn't creative license—it's documentary accuracy. My real Maverick's morning routine involves a theatrical stretch that would make a yoga instructor proud, followed by what can only be described as a victory lap around the house.

But Maverick's personality extends far beyond morning exuberance. He possesses an almost supernatural curiosity that transforms ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures. A simple walk becomes an expedition of discovery, with every flower demanding a thorough "SNIFF-SNIFF-SNORT!" investigation. This trait, so perfectly captured in the book's opening pages, reflects my real Maverick's approach to life: everything is worth exploring, every scent tells a story, and every corner might hide the next great adventure.

A Pup's Treasures: Maverick's Favorite Things Come to Life

Every dog has their treasures, and for Maverick, these became integral elements of his literary world. The orange bouncy ball that features prominently in the story isn't just a random choice—it's Maverick's absolute favorite. He has this collection of balls, but there's something about the orange ones that just captivates him. When I was writing the book, I knew that ball had to be part of his character because it's such a huge part of who he is.

In the real world, Maverick's relationship with his orange ball borders on the mystical. He can be sound asleep, but the mere sight of that bright orange sphere will send him into a frenzy of excitement. He'll carry it around like a prized possession, drop it at the feet of anyone who might be willing to throw it, and perform elaborate play bows that clearly communicate his intentions.

Then there's Pups, the well-loved brown stuffed bear with one floppy ear that serves as Maverick's constant companion. In the book, Pups appears as a cherished bedtime buddy, tucked safely under Maverick's paw as he drifts off to sleep. This detail comes straight from life, where the real Pups is his Snuggle Puppy and has been Maverick's security blanket since puppyhood.

Pups has been through everything with Maverick. That floppy ear isn't artistic license—it's the result of countless nights of cuddling and probably a few too many games of tug-of-war. When Maverick was younger, Pups went everywhere with him. Now, Pups has a place of honor on Maverick's bed, and you can still catch him giving his old friend a gentle nuzzle before settling down for the night.

The inclusion of stick-fetching in the story also reflects Maverick's real-world obsessions. While many dogs enjoy a good game of fetch, Maverick has elevated stick-hunting to an art form. He doesn't just pick up any stick—he's a connoisseur, carefully selecting branches based on criteria known only to him.

I've watched him walk past dozens of perfectly good sticks to find the one that speaks to him. And once he's found it, that stick becomes the most important thing in the world. He'll carry it for miles, sleep with it, and look genuinely distressed if he accidentally drops it. In the book, when Maverick tugs his leash with a stick in his mouth, that's not just a cute detail—that's Tuesday afternoon in my house.

The Mischief Maker: When Real Life Writes the Comedy

Perhaps no aspect of Maverick's personality translates more perfectly to the page than his talent for mischief. The scene in the book where Maverick hides socks under the couch with a sneaky "Hee-hee!" isn't creative embellishment—it's documentary evidence of a crime spree that continues to this day.

I used to think I was losing my mind. Socks would just disappear. I'd put a pair in the laundry basket, and by the time I got to the washing machine, there would only be one. I blamed the dryer, I blamed my own absent-mindedness, I even wondered if we had some kind of sock-stealing ghost. Then one day, I caught him red-pawed.

The discovery came during a routine toy retrieval mission under the couch. Instead of finding the expected tennis ball, I uncovered what I now refer to as "Maverick's sock treasury"—a carefully curated collection of socks in various states of cleanliness, all hoarded with the dedication of a dragon guarding gold.

The best part is that he's not destructive about it. He doesn't chew them or tear them up. He just... collects them. Like he's building some kind of sock fort under there. And when I find them, he gets this look on his face that's part guilty, part proud, and entirely unrepentant. That's where the "Hee-hee!" in the book comes from—he literally looks like he's laughing at his own cleverness.

This ability to find humor in chaos became a central theme of the book. When Maverick causes the ice cream cart catastrophe at the farmers' market, his response isn't shame or fear—it's confusion followed quickly by delight as the situation transforms into an impromptu party with the local children. This mirrors my real Maverick's approach to his own mishaps: every accident is just an opportunity for a new kind of fun.

A Natural with Children: The Heart of the Story

If there's one quality that makes Maverick truly special, it's his intuitive understanding of children. This isn't just a dog who tolerates kids—this is a pup who seems to have been designed specifically for young hearts and minds. Watching Maverick interact with children provided me with some of the most touching inspiration for the book series.

There's something magical about watching Maverick with kids. He becomes this perfect playmate, matching their energy when they want to run and play, but also sensing when they need comfort or quiet companionship. I've seen him sit perfectly still while a shy three-year-old works up the courage to pet him, and I've also seen him engage in epic games of chase with groups of older kids. He just knows what each situation calls for.

This natural affinity for children became evident early in Maverick's life. During visits to local parks, he would inevitably become the center of attention, drawing children like a magnet. Parents would initially approach with the usual caution—after all, not every dog appreciates the enthusiastic attention of excited children. But Maverick seemed to thrive on it.

Maverick's patience and gentleness made him a natural choice for the children's book world. I knew that young readers would need a character who embodied the same qualities they experienced with the real Maverick—someone who was exciting and fun but also safe and reliable.

Building Sunnyvale: A World Worthy of Wonder

Creating the perfect setting for Maverick's adventures required more than just imagination—it demanded a deep understanding of what makes a place feel magical through a dog's eyes. Sunnyvale, with its rolling hills, whispering woods, and cozy town square, isn't just a fictional backdrop; it's a carefully crafted world that reflects how Maverick experiences his own environment.

When I started thinking about where Maverick's story should take place, I realized I needed to see the world the way he does. For Maverick, every walk is an expedition, every neighborhood is full of mysteries, and every open space is an invitation to explore. Sunnyvale had to capture that sense of endless possibility.

The rolling hills that surround Sunnyvale mirror the landscape that Maverick knows and loves in real life. During our daily walks, he approaches each hill with the enthusiasm of a mountaineer tackling Everest. The way he bounds up slopes, pauses at the crest to survey his domain, and then races down the other side with pure joy became the inspiration for Sunnyvale's topography.

There's this one hill near our house that Maverick has claimed as his own. Every time we reach the top, he does this thing where he stands perfectly still for a moment, ears perked, nose twitching, like he's taking in all the information the wind can carry. Then he'll look back at me with this expression that clearly says, "Isn't this the most amazing place in the world?" That's the feeling I wanted to capture in Sunnyvale.

The whispering woods that border the town reflect Maverick's fascination with forested areas. In real life, a simple walk through wooded paths becomes an epic adventure of scent-tracking, stick-hunting, and wildlife observation. Every rustling leaf might hide a squirrel, every fallen log might conceal interesting smells, and every clearing might offer new discoveries.

The town square, with its bustling farmers' market, represents the social heart of Maverick's world. In real life, Maverick thrives in community settings. He loves meeting new people, greeting familiar faces, and being part of the general excitement that comes with gatherings of any kind. The farmers' market in the book, with its colorful stalls and friendly vendors, captures this same energy.

The Beginning of Many Adventures: A Series Born from Real Life

"Adventures with Maverick: The Curious Pup" represents just the opening chapter in what promises to be an extensive series of books, each one inspired by the real-life adventures and experiences of my four-legged muse. The decision to create a series rather than a standalone book was as natural as Maverick's morning enthusiasm—there are simply too many stories to tell in just one volume.

The thing about living with Maverick is that every day brings something new. He doesn't just have one adventure and then settle into a quiet life. He's constantly discovering, constantly exploring, constantly finding new ways to turn ordinary moments into extraordinary memories. One book could never contain all of that.

The series concept allows for the exploration of different aspects of Maverick's personality and interests across multiple stories. While the first book introduces readers to his curious nature and talent for turning mishaps into celebrations, future books will delve deeper into other facets of his character and and the many adventures Maverick and Lila will share together.

I have notebooks full of Maverick stories. Although the farmer's market is a favorite stop for Maverick and me, we have also had camping adventures, apple orchard adventures and even an adventure to the ocean! Which adventure will be in the next book?!

Each real-life adventure provides material for potential future books, but the series will also explore themes that are important to children's development. Through Maverick's experiences, young readers will encounter lessons about friendship, problem-solving, empathy, and resilience—all delivered through the lens of a pup who approaches life with boundless optimism and curiosity.

One of the things I love about Maverick is that he never lets setbacks keep him down for long. If something doesn't go according to plan, he just adapts and finds a new way to have fun. That's such an important lesson for children, and it's something that will thread through all the books in the series.

From Real Paws to Printed Pages: A Love Letter to Adventure

As "Adventures with Maverick: The Curious Pup" makes its way into the hands and hearts of young readers, it carries with it something precious and authentic—the spirit of a real dog who has spent his life teaching everyone around him about the joy of curiosity, the power of friendship, and the magic that exists in everyday moments.

Writing this book has been like holding up a mirror to all the wonderful qualities that make Maverick special. But it's also made me more aware of how much he's taught me about seeing the world with fresh eyes. Every day with him is a reminder that adventure isn't about going somewhere exotic or doing something extraordinary—it's about approaching whatever you're doing with enthusiasm and openness.

The process of translating Maverick's real-life personality into literary form required careful attention to the details that make him unique. His specific way of tilting his head when he's curious, the particular sound of his contented sighs when he's finally settled for the night, the way his entire body seems to smile when he's happy—these small but significant characteristics had to be captured in words and illustrations that would resonate with children who might never meet the real Maverick but would come to love his fictional counterpart.

There's a responsibility that comes with basing a character on a real animal. I wanted to make sure that the book version of Maverick honored the real one, that children reading the story would get a genuine sense of who he is and what makes him special. At the same time, I had to create a character who could stand on his own, who would be compelling and relatable even to readers who don't know his real-life inspiration.

The success of this translation is evident in early reactions from children who have heard the story. They connect immediately with Maverick's enthusiasm, laugh at his mishaps, and seem to understand intuitively that this is a character who genuinely cares about the people around him. Many young listeners have asked if Maverick is real, and when I tell them that he is, their faces light up with the kind of wonder that suggests they've discovered something truly special.

Children have this amazing ability to recognize authenticity. They can tell when a character comes from a real place of love and understanding versus when it's just made up. The fact that Maverick is based on a real dog, with real quirks and real relationships, gives the story a foundation that children can sense even if they can't articulate it.

The "Adventures with Maverick" series represents more than just children's entertainment—it's a celebration of the special bond between humans and their animal companions, a reminder that some of life's best teachers come with four legs and wagging tails. Through Maverick's stories, children learn that it's okay to be curious, that mistakes can lead to unexpected fun, and that the best adventures often happen right in your own neighborhood.

At the end of the day, I hope these books help children see their own lives as adventures waiting to happen. If Maverick can find magic in a farmers' market, excitement in a morning walk, and friendship in every person he meets, then maybe young readers will start looking for those same possibilities in their own worlds. That would be the greatest tribute to the real Maverick—inspiring others to live with the same curiosity, kindness, and joy that he brings to every single day.

The world of Sunnyvale awaits, filled with rolling hills, whispering woods, and endless possibilities for adventure. And at the heart of it all is a curious pup named Maverick, ready to show young readers that the best adventures begin with a wagging tail, an open heart, and the simple belief that today might just be the most amazing day yet.

"Adventures with Maverick: The Curious Pup" is available now on amazon.com. Follow Maverick's real-life adventures on Instagram @followmavericksadventures.