By Marisa Dawson, Courtesy Photos/Graphics

An internationally known author, and the dog who helped inspire his bestselling book, will soon be visiting the Bennington Public Library for a special community event.

Author Dion Leonard will stop by the Bennington Public Library this Tuesday, March 10, at 6 p.m. to share the incredible true story behind his bestselling memoir, Finding Gobi.

The book chronicles Leonard’s unforgettable experience during a grueling 155-mile ultramarathon across the Gobi Desert in China, where he encountered a small stray dog who would soon change his life. The determined dog, later named Gobi, began running alongside Leonard during the race and ultimately matched his stride across mountains, sand dunes and desert terrain.

“She proved what she lacked in size, she more than made up for in heart,” Leonard said of the dog’s determination during the race.

Gobi ran alongside him for nearly 80 miles of the race, navigating the Tian Shan Mountains, massive dunes and villages across the harsh landscape of the Gobi Desert.

What began as a chance encounter quickly turned into a remarkable bond.

Following the race, however, the story took a dramatic turn when Gobi went missing in the Chinese city where she had been temporarily staying. Leonard launched an international search effort, aided by supporters from around the world who followed the story online. With the help of strangers and a global outpouring of support, the pair were eventually reunited.

Their remarkable journey captured worldwide attention. Published in 2017, Finding Gobi became both a New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller and has since been translated into 24 languages. The story has also appeared on television internationally and has inspired a film currently in development, expected to release in 2026 or 2027.

During the library event, Leonard will share the full story of his journey through the desert, the search to find Gobi after she disappeared and the life they now share traveling the world and telling their story.

The event will also give attendees a chance to meet Gobi in person. Library staff say the opportunity to host Leonard, and his famous canine companion, is an exciting one for the community.

“Meeting authors and hearing about their creative process and inspiration is always exciting for our staff,” said Natalie Hartley of the Bennington Public Library. “We love getting a behind-the-scenes look at how stories come to life. And anytime a presenter brings animals, that’s an added bonus!”

Hartley said staff members are especially eager to hear more about the journey that began in the desert and led to an international story of friendship and perseverance.

“We’re especially looking forward to hearing more about Dion’s experience in the desert and the incredible journey that led him to Gobi,” Hartley said. “It will also be fascinating to learn what life is like now as he travels with Gobi, sharing their story with audiences around the world.”

Leonard and Gobi will also be visiting several Bennington elementary schools during their time in the community. The library event will give families who may not have the chance to attend those school presentations an opportunity to hear the story and meet Gobi.

Hartley said the story aligns closely with the library’s mission of connecting the community through meaningful experiences.

“A key part of the library’s mission is strengthening our community, and stories of perseverance like Dion and Gobi’s are both motivating and inspiring,” Hartley said. “We hope attendees walk away encouraged by their resilience, determination, and the unexpected connections that can change a life.”

Events like this also help bring books to life for readers, she said.

“Author presentations help bring the books on our shelves to life,” Hartley said. “They allow patrons to connect with the real people and experiences behind the stories. When we can humanize the books in our collection and create shared experiences around them, it strengthens our role as a community gathering space.”

The March 10 presentation is expected to appeal to a wide audience, from animal lovers to adventure enthusiasts and families alike.

For many, it will be a chance to hear firsthand the story of an unlikely friendship that began in one of the harshest environments on Earth, and grew into a bond that captured hearts around the world.