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Can dogs make us better humans? Can animal companionship really heal the world? In telling Topher Brophy's story, Dog Dad shows us emphatically that the answer to both questions is yes. Is there a cure for the'sad sickness? That's what Topher Brophy calls the feeling he has lived with as long as he can remember. As a lonely only child'on the spectrum,'a shy high schooler cursed by acne, a college student working hard to be accepted as a'frat boy,'and a young man traveling to exotic destinations in search of wisdom and inner peace, Topher never feels he belongs anywhere or to anything. Too shy to keep a friendship, he battles feelings of rejection and loneliness, always wondering why just living in the world, which seems easy for others, is so difficult for him. He tries various remedies, even becomes a sports freak in the hope that being strong will make him happy and get him'accepted.'With barbells, ropes, bands, he works out morning till night to keep the sad sickness at bay—till an injury makes even that impossible. Nothing changes anything. The sad sickness is always there. Then Rosenberg comes into his life.Dog Dad tells how becoming a dog dad changes everything for Topher Brophy. How the companionship and love he receives from his shaggy puppy beget the companionship and love he can now give... and how that makes him feel, for the first time in his life, like he belongs in the world as it is. How Rosenberg connects him to a community of dog people and introduces him to a special person, the Dog Styler. How together, they create an Instagram sensation and a family—and dedicate both to the higher purpose of healing the world.This is no shaggy dog story. It really happened to Topher Brophy, and it can really happen to anyone.

Life isn't perfect, but dogs certainly make it better Meet the incredible dogs in this inspiring collection of true stories, championing the often underestimated role of man's best friend • Daisy, the tiny Dachshund who put her life on the line to save her humans from a bear. • Charco, the veteran sniffer dog who has saved countless human lives, and yet still keeps his tail wagging. • Delta, the dog who died trying to protect her young owner from a volcano – after already having saved his life three times. It's a truth universally acknowledged that dogs are pretty great. But when it comes to facing peril, these loyal creatures always seem willing to step up to the mark and become true doggy heroes. Whether they're saving humans from dangerous people or situations, helping the sick, fighting crime or just following their animal instincts to do good, the true stories featured in this expanded and updated collection prove that dogs aren't just man's best friend – they're also inspirational, courageous and selfless companions to us all.

The heartwarming true story of a greyhound named Bailey, the woman who rescued him, and the miraculous healing power of love.... One night, in the middle of a rainstorm, Barby Keel found an unexpected gift at the gates of her animal sanctuary: a poor little greyhound, shivering and wet, abandoned under the cover of darkness. Barby had never seen a dog in such pitiful condition. He was scarred with burn marks, and so malnourished that every rib showed through his patchy fur. Barby was determined to help this unfortunate abused animal—if he managed to survive the night... The dog—who she named Bailey—not only survived, he displayed a fighting spirit and loving nature that took Barby by surprise. She herself was facing health issues of her own, a personal battle which threatened the future of the entire sanctuary. But thanks to Bailey—and the powerful bond that humans and animals share—they found the strength to heal their bodies, hearts, and souls... together. Told with deep affection, honesty, and compassion, Will You Love Me? is an emotional and joyful story that reminds us that, in rescuing others, we rescue ourselves.

Illustrated stories about dogs that knew how to sit, stay, and witness history—from the loyal Greyfriars Bobby to Lizzie Borden's Boston Terriers. Most dog lovers know Fido and Laika, but how about Martha, Paul McCartney's Old English Sheepdog? Or Peritas, Alexander the Great's trusted canine companion? As long as there have been humans, those humans have had beloved companions—their dogs. From the ancient Egyptians mummifying their pups, to the Indian legend of the king who refused to enter the afterlife unless his dog was allowed there too, to the modern meme and popularity of terms like the corgi sploot, humans are undeniably obsessed with their dogs. Told in short, illustrated essays that are interspersed with both historical and canine factoids, The History of the World in Fifty Dogs brings to life some of history's most memorable moments through the stories of the dogs that saw them happen.

A guide to spoiling your fur baby with everything a dog could ever want!Your pup is far more than a pet and you're proud to admit it. What could be better than a best friend who will literally lick away your tears, make you laugh with crazy antics all day, and snuggle with you all night? This handbook for pup parenting goes beyond the basics to focus on building a strong and happy bond and treating your baby not just as a pet but as a full-fledged member of the family. A top-notch dog mother knows that it's all about:• Discovering far-off lands together• Brunching with other moms and pups• Spoiling with homemade treats and new toys• Having regular conversations, including in public• And so much more!

The true story of a lost dog's journey and a family's furious search to find him before it is too late. Saturday, October 10, 1998. Fielding Marshall is hiking on the Appalachian Trail. His beloved dog—a six-year-old golden retriever mix named Gonker—bolts into the woods. Just like that, he has vanished. And Gonker has Addison's disease. If he's not found in twenty-three days, he will die.The search begins. Fielding and his father, John, are dispatched to the field. They have the family's other dog, Uli, in tow. Combing the trails, Fielding and his father bond like never before. Fielding's sister, Peyton, calls and talks him through some of his lowest moments. And—at home—Fielding's mother, Virginia, sets up a command center.Virginia becomes a field general. With a map and a phone book at her side, she contacts animal shelters, police precincts, general stores, community centers, newspapers, radio stations, churches, and park rangers. She is tireless. The local paper in Waynesboro, Virginia, writes a small story about the family's search. The story hits the AP newswire. Tips—many of them of questionable authenticity—pour in from across the country. But as the search continues, the Marshalls realize they may not survive losing Gonker. Even as the wounds of their past return to haunt them and threaten to jeopardize everything, they know they have one mission: bring Gonker home.With a big heart, intelligent humor, and a deft touch, Pauls Toutonghi tells this true tale of loss, love, and resilience. Dog Gone is by turns a story about how a family comes together in a crisis—and the way heroism can assert itself in the little things we do each day.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERIn this moving memoir, Danielle Steel tells the story of how she met a dog the size of a mouse with a personality that could light up an entire room. From Minnie's arrival at home in San Francisco to clothes-shopping jaunts in Paris, her adventures provide the perfect backdrop for a heartfelt look at the magic that dogs bring to our lives, and how they become part of the family, making indelible memories.We meet Steel's childhood pug, James; and Elmer, the basset hound who was steadfastly at her side in her struggling days as a young writer; Sweet Pea—unveiled in a Tiffany box for a dog-loving husband—and all those lucky dogs who shared a household of nine children, other canines, and one potbellied pig. As she reflects on the beloved pets who have brought joy, and sometimes chaos, to her home through the years, Steel also shares her thoughts on the trials and tribulations of bringing a new dog into a household, the challenges of housebreaking and compatibility, the losses we feel forever.Filled with colorful characters (human and otherwise), delightful photographs, practical wisdom drawn from long experience, and brimming with warmth and insight on every page, Pure Joy is a love letter to this special relationship—and one of the most charming books yet from the incomparable Danielle Steel.Praise for Pure Joy “The mega-selling [Danielle Steel] shares happy memories of her numerous dogs.... Steel brings readers into her life, recounting delightful moments with her many dogs, the dogs her children have owned, and her newest friend, Minnie, her tiny Chihuahua.... Plainly told with honesty and affection, these stories are an affirmation of the timeless connection between humans and their canine companions.”—Kirkus Reviews “Steel doesn't just love to write blockbusters; she loves dogs. Here's her valentine to all the dogs she's raised (looking to be mostly of the small sort), with lots of black-and-white photos throughout. A heady commercial combo.”—Library Journal

Letters from Angel is a true story of a golden retriever/chow mix told in her own words. Her early years were spent in a family in a modest home in suburban New York. She blossomed into a beautiful, loving, energetic companion. When the father in the family continued to abuse her, Angel ran away. She survived for months on the loose, lived off the land, protected by homeless men and women, and her own inherited survival skills. When winter came, Angel was rescued by the SPCA, who identified her owners and brought her back to be reunited. The mother turned the rescuers away because she believed her husband would continue to abuse Angel. At nine years of age, Angel was taken to a dog shelter, her spirit crushed. When it appeared that all was lost, Angel was rescued. Her sad life turned into a Cinderella story. A new world opened up for her. Air travel (a funny story), a home that she describes as the “biggest dog house in the world,” winters on the beach in Florida, living in a New York City apartment, walking in Central Park. Angel tells her story in detail and shares her innermost thoughts on a wide variety of subjects, her reactions to lightning ashes and reworks, tricks on taking medicine, weight control, on and on. And at the end, she writes about the burdens she faced as she grew older. Angel's letters are insightful and charming, revealing the inner life of a dog. It is a book for all ages.

A heartwarming dog story like no other: Tuesday, a lovable golden retriever, changes a former soldier's life forever. A highly decorated captain in the U.S. Army, Luis Montalván never backed down from a challenge during his two tours of duty in Iraq. After returning home from combat, however, his physical wounds and crippling post-traumatic stress disorder began to take their toll. He wondered if he would ever recover. Then Luis met Tuesday, a sensitive golden retriever trained to assist people with disabilities. Tuesday had lived among prisoners and at a home for troubled boys, and he found it difficult to trust in or connect with a human being–until Luis. Until Tuesday is the story of how two wounded warriors, who had given so much and suffered the consequences, found salvation in each other. It is a story about war and peace, injury and recovery, psychological wounds and spiritual restoration. But more than that, it is a story about the love between a man and dog, and how, together, they healed each other's souls.

Head held high, I walked out of the shelter with the dog others had deemed hopeless. Minutes later, I was banished from my own car by bared teeth and bristled fur, caught in the rain and dripping wet, foiled by the very creature whose cause I had just championed. Never in my life had I asked so many times, “What was I thinking?” When I rescued Buji, little did I know he would teach me some of life's most valuable lessons—and all he had to do to get my attention was save my life. In Buji and Me, psychological therapist and animal behaviorist Wendy Kelly shares the principles of a dynamic, life-changing force that occurs when we allow our pets to become our teachers. If we are open and aware, they will guide us to being, well, better beings—present, honest, aware, focused, joyful, kind, and loving. Unleash the seven secrets of living the “pawsitive” life... starting today.

Dogs know when we are feeling down. They love it when we are happy and seeking friendship and fun, and they understand when we are feeling sad and desperate. This book presents a series of real-life tales of the positive effects dogs have had on people at the end of their lives, chronicling the visits by two therapy dogs, Woody and Katie, to patients in a south Florida hospice facility. Through twenty-one stories, infused with humor amidst the sadness, Michelle Rivera, an experienced animal therapist, explores the many ways in which animals can ease human suffering. Her book begins with the deeply personal story of her own mother Katherine's illness and dying appeal to have the company of a dog, and proceeds to tell the stories of patients young and old who the author was inspired to visit with her'hospice hounds.'As well as demonstrating many of the techniques of animal therapy, Rivera argues powerfully that not allowing pets in health care facilities is a counterproductive policy that deprives patients of comfort at the time they need it most. Some of the stories were previously published in Hospice Hounds (2001), but the author has substantially expanded her introduction and added an invaluable final section that gives practical tips on training and certifying your dog to be a therapy animal.

Geared to the millions who want to be socially responsible with their dogs, but also indulgent with them, who love to be up to date about the latest ideas about training, but above all, who worry about their relationships with their dogs, this poignant, irreverent guide is doggone funny. Written by a first-time dog owner who's been there and worried about that, this comprehensive yet accessible book articulates the questions that many people have about all things canine-related but are afraid to ask, all with a reassuring, amusing tone.

Dogs have always been our friends and changed our lives for the better. But they may save our lives as well. Seamlessly weaving scientific research with compelling narrative, Paws & Effect tells incredibly moving stories of beloved pets who have supported their people through periods of ill health and other crises—with miraculous results: •Little Ben, a Chihuahua who can sense impending epileptic seizures•Abdul, a Golden Retriever/Lab mix, who was the world's first service dog and helped his owner by retrieving keys and phones, medicine from countertops, water from the refrigerator, and could even hand in credit cards at the grocery store•A Dalmation named Trudii, whose obsessive behavior prompted her owner to seek a medical examination that revealed melanoma

A hilarious, captivating commentary that gives us--finally--a true dog's-eye view of the world.• The Sofa: “The sofa is Position One. The sofa makes you feel as if you are with your people even when your people are gone.” • The Toilet: “The advantage of drinking from the toilet is that the water is always fresh.” • The Baby: “Often known as She Who Randomly Flings Food from the Table, the baby has the most flavorful, ever-changing face of all your people.”“After reading You Are a Dog, you will start thinking like a dog.” --Bash Dibra, celebrity pet trainer and author of DogSpeak“You Are a Dog should be the talk of every dog run in the U.S. With humor, and more bite than one might expect, Terry Bain helps us to see the world through the eyes of our dogs, and to look at their lives in fresh and insightful ways.” --Jon Katz, author of A Dog Year, The New Work of Dogs, and The Dogs of Bedlam Farm “Terry Bain has cracked the canine code to demystify those charming, endearing, and occasionally bizarre habits our beloved dogs exhibit. You Are a Dog is equal parts witty and warm, sweet and sympathetic--read this and be destined to meet your dog at a richer, deeper level.”--Dr. Marty Becker, veterinary contributor for Good Morning America, author of The Healing Power of Pets