MY FIRST BOOK
Raji, My Family
A story of immigration, resilience, courage, and love
A work that captures the essence of the fight for life and the search for love in the face of adversity, showing how the connections we build can become our greatest source of strength and hope.
Synopsis
"Raji, My Family: A Story of Immigration, Resilience, Courage, and Love", by Alan Leites, stands out not only for its intimate and moving narrative but also for its ability to explore universal themes through a deeply personal lens. The book touches on animal adoption, multispecies family bonds, speciesism, resilience, life in Brazil, spirituality, and animal rights advocacy. The author skillfully uses his voice to delve into topics such as cultural identity, veganism, LGBTQ+ experiences, and economic and social marginalization, seamlessly weaving these themes into the everyday life lessons offered by his beloved four-legged son. 🐾
Alan and Raji’s story is a celebration of loyalty, empathy, and unconditional love that transcends the barriers between beings. It is a powerful and uplifting testament to the deep connection between species and the transformative power of love in any life. In short, "Raji, My Family" is a work that captures the essence of the struggle for life and the pursuit of love in the face of adversity, showing how the connections we form can become our greatest source of strength and hope. 🐾 🐾
Alan Leites
Alan Leites, born in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro (1978), under the sign of Sagittarius, is a Brazilian LGBTQ+ journalist and educator living in Spain since 2020. A restless mind and undeniably passionate about teaching, communication, and the arts in all their forms, he hosted his first radio show at the age of 16, marking the beginning of a professional journey that would take him through AM and FM radio, television, streaming platforms, and print journalism, eventually becoming a university professor. A vegan and animal advocate, Alan presents in his debut book an autobiographical account centered on love, life, LGBTQ+ identity, multispecies family, immigration, and resilience.
Biographies
Raji
Raji is a Brazilian immigrant dog living in Spain since 2022. Born on March 11, 2009, under the sign of Pisces, in the city of Niterói (Rio de Janeiro), he was adopted shortly after weaning and has since embarked on a journey with his multispecies family, collecting stories of resilience and unforgettable moments along the way. Raji loves drinking coconut water, snacking on every treat imaginable, going on walks, receiving endless belly rubs, and falling asleep in his cozy bed to the sound of songs by Maria Bethânia.
Nicknames: Rajito, Raijnho, and Little Grandpa.
Baleia
Baleia is a Spanish dog who was found and rescued on a roadside. She’s estimated to be around 4 years old (about a year and a half at the time of her rescue). After suffering abuse, the universe brought her to her new family, and thankfully, she is now 100% recovered. Baleia loves carrots, running through the countryside, making new friends, getting head pats, watching the street from the balcony, and chasing flies around the house.
Nicknames: Baleita, Baleia the Earthquake, Little Electric Flea.
Soundtrack
You can now listen for free on Spotify to the playlist “Raji, My Family.” A carefully curated selection of songs inspired by the book, lovingly chosen by Alan Leites for this project.
Or scan this code using your phone's camera through the search tool in the Spotify app.
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