Almost anyone who lives in Norwood has at least heard of Mustang Sally, but the town cannot keep her all to themselves. With her new book on the shelves, the literary world can now learn what one four-legged friend has done to help her residents. 

As Mustang Sally’s primary handler, Norwood Police Officer Geoff Baguma has witnessed firsthand the many positive interactions and the meaningful impact the Town’s “secret weapon” has had on its residents. With that in mind, he envisioned a children’s book as the perfect way to commemorate and share her adventures. Officer Baguma developed the idea through Impact Norwood, the Town’s substance use prevention coalition, and soon the name of Norwood High School sophomore Peter Jeneid came up as a potential illustrator. 

“I really do love and appreciate the book,” Officer Baguma said. “It came out at the right time and from the right person, a young talented Norwood student who is going to positively affect other NPS students and their families by taking them through situations that have or will come up in life. The book, which is the first of many, can help navigate through some of these life challenges with the assistance of Mustang Sally. 

Jeneid could already see Sally’s pictures developing in his head, but in his heart, he knew the story could easily be heard from his own words. 

“When Officer Baguma brought up the idea of turning Sally into the star of a book, I was instantly excited,” Jeneid said. “At first we thought about involving a group of students, but I felt strongly that I wanted to take the lead and really see it through.”

With that goal, the 16-year-old, already known among classmates and teachers for his artistic talent, recently released his first children’s book, “The Adventures of Mustang Sally: Sally Goes to School.” 

“Working with Peter has been fantastic,” Officer Baguma said. “He understood the direction that we wanted to go with the book, and was able to take the steering wheel and drive us to the destination. He is a very talented, hardworking, and genuine person.”

While illustration came naturally to Jeneid, who has been drawing since he was a young child, writing was a new challenge, one he was more than open to.

“Coming up with the story was a bit of a process,” Jeneid said. “Writing is definitely outside my comfort zone. But I was committed to making it happen. I wanted it to move quickly, and I thought, why not just go for it?”

Jeneid spent time observing Norwood’s first therapy dog and the impact she had on students throughout the town’s schools. Sally, who has become a familiar face at Norwood High, plays a unique role in promoting student wellness and mental health.

“She’s more than just a school mascot,” Jeneid explained. “She brings a personal touch to the school day. Seeing her in the hallways or getting a moment with her helps students reset and feel more grounded. Everyone has their own story about her.”

The book highlights Sally’s daily routines, interactions with students, and her calming presence, all told through a colorful, illustrated lens. Jeneid both wrote and illustrated the entire project, showcasing his range of creative talents.

“I wasn’t sure at first how it would turn out,” Jeneid admitted. “But seeing the final version, I’m really proud. It’s something that means a lot to me.”

“The Adventures of Mustang Sally: Sally Goes to School” is now available for purchase on Amazon. For those who have met her in person, there should always be a place on their bookshelf to pass on for generations.

“‘The adventures of Mustang Sally’ has already gone global, which is great,” Officer Baguma said. “Families out in Australia, Africa, and many more are enjoying this wonderful book from Norwood, MA, about the awesome Mustang Sally, written and illustrated by Peter. That’s an amazing accomplishment, and in such a short period of time.

Although the idea originated with Officer Baguma and the book was written and illustrated by talented newcomer Peter Jeneid, several Norwood influences also helped highlight Mustang’s significance to the community and the importance of sharing her story.

“A big thank you to Impact Norwood, Wildewood Education, The Norwood Police Department, Norwood Public Schools, Orange Leaf, and The Town of Norwood for supporting this new rising author and Illustrator,” Officer Baguma concluded.