Thank you to Amy Moore-Benson, my agent, my sometimes cowriter and, most important, my friend.
Thank you to Emily Ohanjanians, who shepherded and edited this book and made it shine. Thanks to Donna Hayes, who shepherded a publishing house and a ton of authors over the years. Thanks to everyone at MIRA—Craig Swinwood, Loriana Sacilotto, Margaret Marbury, Tara Parsons, Stacy Widdrington, Ana Luxton, Diane Mosher, Stefanie Buszynski, Evan Brown, Erin Craig, Stephen Miles, Emily Martin, Reka Rubin, Don Lucey, Michelle Renaud, Lisa Wray, Alex Osuszek, Andi Richman, Gordy Goihl, Dave Carley, Erica Mohr, Darren Lizotte, Fritz Servatius, Anne Fontanesi, Nick Ursino, Matt Hart, Audrey Bresar, Gaëtan Bélair, Nanette Long, Laurie Malarchuk, Heather Foy, Aideen O’Leary-Chung, Marianna Ricciuto, Julie Forrest and Carly Chow.
Finally, thanks to everyone who consulted on this book, including Anne Szatkulski, for answering questions about campaign offices and photo shoots, the team at Lincoln Park Dog and Cat Clinic, and Dr. Suma Raju of Roscoe Village Animal Hospital.
And for all the people who passed through Jonquil Park while I was writing this book, thanks for sharing your dogs with Shafer and your time with me. (And hey, thanks, Shafer!)