Susan Reynolds - My Dog Is My Hero: Tributes to the Companions Who Give Us Love, Loyalty, and a New Leash on Life

Welcome to My Dog Is My Hero, a cornucopia of stories about the most unforgettable dogs you'll ever want to meet. While all the stories honor those beloved pets that bring so much to our lives, you'll find marvelous diversity lots of heroic deeds, humor, and sweetness, with a touch of nostalgia and sadness.

You'll laugh along with Paula Munier when she recounts the story of how her dog protected her against an intrusive neighbor; with Dennis C. Bentley, whose ever-affable George plays a game of catch unlike any other dog and brings endless fun to his loving family as well as to the foster dogs that George unwittingly mentors; and with Roxanne Hawn, as her reluctant border collie, Lilly, makes a big splash in behavior training.

You'll fall in love with Rye, a gentle golden retriever who repeatedly rescues a baby bird by capturing it in his mouth and transporting it to safety; Jeeves, a huge, lumbering mixed breed of Anatolian shepherd and Great Pyrenees who protects a wounded fawn; and Turbo, a crusty old rez (reservation) dog that nurses a sick cat and guards a wounded sparrow.

You'll celebrate the rescue of Obie and Skip and Princess, three lucky dogs who find a loving home with Sky, a spunky blue rat terrier, and her owners, Rozanne and Brenda after being badly abused. You'll marvel at the escapades of The Amazing Boodini, a Yorkshire terrier who defies his master's every attempt to contain him. You'll cheer the heroism of Kodiak, a malamute who unwittingly rescues his master lost in a blinding, driving snowstorm.

You'll read about Sheena, a ranch dog in New Zealand who forms a special bond with her owners; the antics of Goofy Willy, a half hound dog and half husky in Alaska; Sheri, a dog in India who steals a young girl's heart and helps her survive her parents' separation; Roy, a cross between a collie and an Alsation in Scotland who still lives in his owner's heart fifty years after his passing; and Tot, a roving mutt in Brazil that weasels his way into Lucille Bellucci's heart.

And, of course, we have a-boy-and-his-dog stories, including Logan Branjord's Red Dog, who skidded on and fell through ice to save another dog, and Stephen Blackburn's nostalgic Sunday Mornings with Duke that rings true to many.

We also have dogs such as Shadow, a rescued three-legged mutt who helps Andrew McAleer's dying parents feel comforted in their waning days, and then helps Andrew as he struggles through debilitating cancer treatments; and Mozart, an American Eskimo puppy who tricks his master, who has debilitating heart problems, into exercising.

We even have a famous dog Honor, the golden retriever who dialed the hospital when her wheelchair-bound master was injured by a falling beam.

Although it's always sad when a beloved dog leaves the world our world it's something all pet owners face someday. Without dwelling on the pathos, we included a few farewell stories, including Judith Gille's Tribute to Katy, which offers a lovely, eloquent tribute to her unforgettable golden retriever, and Jessica Barmack's The Chase, which says an elegant farewell to her beloved and resilient Sam.

All this and so much more awaits you. Enjoy!