“I wanted to create a story that speaks for those who can’t,” writes Timothy Usry. “Laufield represents people who’ve been silenced, not by choice, but by circumstance.”
For Usry, the book began as a dream about isolation and grew into a mission for inclusion. Drawing from his own experiences and love for animation and storytelling, he built a world where animals and humans share the same emotional depth, where empathy is the greatest strength, and where disability is seen as identity, not limitation.
He also credits Jim Davis, creator of Garfield, for sparking his imagination. “Garfield taught me humor. But Laufield taught me heart.”
Usry’s hope is simple: that readers will finish the book not just entertained, but changed with a deeper appreciation for kindness, courage, and the quiet power of understanding.