Best-selling author behind 'Finding Gobi' to visit El Paso libraries Feb 19, 22

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — The author of the New York Times best-selling book, "Finding Gobi," visited two public libraries in El Paso next week to share his extraordinary story,

Dion Leonard, the best-selling author behind "Finding Gobi" was at Esperanza Acosta Moreno Library on Monday, followed by Sergio Troncoso Library on Thursday.

Leonard shared the journey of how he met his dog Gobi while running a one-week marathon through the Chinese desert of the same name.

"Throughout the week-long race, this little dog comes out of nowhere, starts running with me and we really start to go hand in hand with each other," said Leonard.

Leonard said that when he started the race, his mindset was entirely focused on finishing the race, however, as he continued trudging along with Gobi in tow, his mind increasingly turned to her and helping her survive.

"It really does change our lives forever," said Leonard. "I start to realize that this little dog hasn't got anyone there for her, nobody to look after her."

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Since Leonard and Gobi met nearly eight years ago, the two have traveled the world together sharing their heartwarming and inspiring story with students and adults alike.

Incidentally, the Gobi Desert was just the beginning of the duo's adventure which saw Leonard needing to return to China to locate her once again after she went missing while staying with someone and awaiting her paperwork to leave the country.

However, when pressed on how he found her, Leonard said, "Everyone is going to have to come along [to the library] and see the presentation and hear the story for themselves because there is so much more to it."

Leonard and Gobi were at the Esperanza Acosta Moreno Library on Monday at 5:30 p.m. and the Sergio Troncoso Library on Thursday at 4:30 p.m.

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