Allen Anderson - Animals and the Kids Who Love Them: Extraordinary True Stories of Hope, Healing, and Compassion

The rescuing works both ways again in Allen and Linda Andersons collection as canines whove suffered abuse, neglect, or misfortune seek and comfort humans whove endured the same.

Karen Holt, O: The Oprah Magazine

When asked, Betty, you never remarried! How can you live alone? my answer is simple: my golden retriever, Pontiac, is my saving grace.

Betty White, actress and author

This book is for all dog lovers, and for those who wish to better understand the human-animal bond. Its an inspiring read and will make you want to hug your best friend!

Patrick McDonnell, creator of MUTTS

These heartwarming stories of dogs and the women who love them solidify the fact that the animal-human bond is so unique and necessary for enhancing ones life. Youll find a bit of yourself in each tale.

Vanessa Williams, actress and singer

Whether youre a normal dog mom, a psycho dog mom or some-where in between, this book will open your heart, warm your soul, and make you proud to be a dog-loving woman.

from the foreword by Rory Freedman

Perhaps because my older sister was a collie, I am never more myself than when in the presence of a dog. Kudos to Allen and Linda for sharing the myriad ways dogs bring joy, healing, and gratitude into our lives.

Wendie Malick, actor and advocate

Packed with vivid characters, zippy anecdotes and memorable moments, Dogs and the Women Who Love Them blends spirit and spunk into absorbing first-person narratives that inspire, empower, enlighten and have you begging for more.

Ranny Green, former president of the
Dog Writers Association of America

Once again the Andersons have produced an inspiring book for women who love dogs, this time packed with stories and meditations that will make you smile, weep, and be moved by scenes ranging from Katrina rescues to a dog dazzling David Letterman on his Late Night show. If you have a special relationship with your dogs, this book is for you.

Linda Tellington-Jones, PhD (Hon), founder of the
Tellington TTouch Method and author of
Getting in TTouch with Your Dog

This charming collection of true stories will affirm peoples feelings about the love and spiritual nature of our wonderful canine companions.

Sonya Fitzpatrick, television and radio host and author of
What the Animals Tell Me

Reading Angel Dogs is like taking a walk in the park on a sunny day with your favorite dog.

Willard Scott, NBCs Today show

My heart was touched by Angel Cats. Read, laugh, cry, and become a more complete human being through the angel cats and the lifeline they provide.

Bernie Siegel, MD, author of
365 Prescriptions for the Soul

Angels come to us in many ways. Some are never identified; some come to us and we dont even know they changed our lives, maybe even saved us, until there is a realization. This book is enlightening and will make you take many a close look at your angel.

Tippi Hedren, actress and animal activist

Angel Animals: Divine Messengers of Miracles

Angel Animals Book of Inspiration:
Divine Messengers of Wisdom and Compassion

Angel Cats: Divine Messengers of Comfort

Angel Dogs: Divine Messengers of Love

Angel Dogs with a Mission:
Divine Messengers in Service to All Life

Angel Horses: Divine Messengers of Hope

Dogs and the Women Who Love Them:
Extraordinary True Stories of Loyalty, Healing & Inspiration

Horses with a Mission:
Extraordinary True Stories of Equine Service

Rainbows and Bridges: An Animal Companion Memorial Kit

Rescued: Saving Animals from Disaster

Saying Goodbye to Your Angel Animals:
Finding Comfort After Losing Your Pet

Extraordinary True Stories
of Hope, Healing,
and Compassion

Allen & Linda Anderson

Foreword by American Humane Associations president and
CEO Robin R. Ganzert, PhD, and board member Steve Dale

New World Library
Novato, California

Copyright 2011 by Allen and Linda Anderson

All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, or other without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.

Angel Animals is a registered trademark of Allen and Linda Anderson.

Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) is a registered trademark of Intermountain Therapy Animals of Salt Lake City, Utah. [From Nancy Brooks, Reading to Queen Sassy and the Guinea Pigs, and Carolyn C. Corbetts Justice for Children with Golden Caitee]

Keep Kids Fire Safe is a registered trademark of the Keep Kids Fire Safe Foundation. [From Dayna Hilton, Rescued Dalmatian, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog, Rescues Others]

Text design by Tona Pearce Myers

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Anderson, Allen, date.

Animals and the kids who love them : extraordinary true stories of hope, healing, and compassion / Allen and Linda Anderson ; foreword by Robin R. Ganzert and Steve Dale.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN 978-1-57731-959-7 (pbk. : alk. paper)

1. PetsAnecdotes. 2. PetsPsychological aspectsAnecdotes. 3. Children and animalsAnecdotes. 4. Human-animal relationshipsAnecdotes. 5. Children BiographyAnecdotes. 6. Pet ownersBiographyAnecdotes. 7. HopeAnecdotes. 8. HealingAnecdotes. 9. CompassionAnecdotes. I. Anderson, Linda C., date. II. Title.

SF416.A53 2011

636.0887dc23

2011030538

First printing, November 2011

ISBN 978-1-57731-959-7

Printed in the United States on 100% postconsumer-waste recycled paper

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

For as long as people have organized themselves into tribes, clans, communities, city-states, and nations, animals have been a part of their story. For example, in ancient Greece, Aesop used animals as the characters in fables that we still tell our children today. Traditional Navajo legends are replete with the exploits of the trickster Coyote. And who hasnt been thrilled by the adventures of the hero dog Rin Tin Tin or one of his many Hollywood cousins?

In Animals and the Kids Who Love Them, were constantly reminded of the strength, depth, and durability of the human-animal bond. Were especially touched by how powerful this bond is when it comes to the connection with children. Within these pages youll read real-life stories that will make you chuckle, well up with tears, or just sit and ponder in amazement. Perhaps as remarkable as the stories themselves is the diversity of animals they include. We all know someone who has loved and been comforted by a cat, dog, or horse; here we meet turtles, llamas, baby chicks, rabbits, guinea pigs, and even a turkey.