First and foremost, I wish to thank Marc Bekoff for his help and contributions to this book. Quite simply, this book would not have been written without his inspiration, his guidance and generosity, and our previous work together. The world is a kinder place for all beings because of his example.
I am also deeply indebted to the entire team at Zest Books. Thank you to Dan Harmon for his faith in me and his editorial savvy; to Jan Hughes for her friendship and inspiration; to Jo Beaton, who goes back to the beginning; to Ramsey Beyer for her truly gorgeous illustrations (and to Pet Rescue in New York for their timely assistance with a certain cute puppy photo); and to Pam McElroy for her excellent copyediting.
I am also grateful to Doug Bohl at The Seeing Eye, for taking the time to talk and for his heart and wry humor. Laurie Albanese and my Writer’s Circle writing group offered invaluable feedback. And for their longtime friendship and sage advice early in the process, I thank Jason Gardner, Georgia Hughes, Beth Weber, Lisa Bach, and Eric Ruhalter.
Finally, I owe an inexpressable debt of gratitude for the love and support of my family: to my beautiful wife, Deanna, who is twice the writer I will ever be, and to my son, Jackson, and my daughter, Miranda, who always wanted to hear more stories.