ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Firstly, I must thank Dana Smook, (a) for having the best dog ever in Bruno Copperpot (RIP) and (b) for giving me the idea for this book, even though I think you were maybe just joking. That’ll show you! I also received some art-world expertise from Kelly S. Williams, and if I got anything about the art world wrong, please punish me by buying one of her paintings. Because it ain’t her fault. Her dog is also quite groovy (Hey, Miss Rizz!). Tallulah Tinklepants gave me some much-needed guidance on the inner workings of a small nursing home, which was very helpful because I was going to have, like, one nurse do the whole thing. The Jell-O was all my own doing. (And guess what, she has a really cute dog, too!) Also to Pam May (who does not have a dog . . . yet) for making the connection, and for helping me figure out plot stuff as we whiled away an idyllic summer afternoon on a pool noodle in the Elk River.

I also want to thank my editor, Alicia Condon, for having such faith in my work and for seeing the potential in the half-written gobbledygook I gave her in New Orleans. To be fair, the half that was written was utterly charming. Also, a big thank you to Louise Fury and the growing Team Fury at the Bent Agency. We are mighty, and we will take over the world.

Finally, thank you to Brock Savage for the Skype sessions that helped me solidify my plot (ugh, I hate plots), for the tag line, and for finding my dog as charming as I do.