Dedicated to my nieces, Emily and Ellis. You are the daughters of my heart, and you make every day an adventure. I love you both so much.

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to…

Tracy Bedell-Hoke and her daughter, Elizabeth, for sharing their family’s experience with childhood cancer and answering my questions, no matter the time of day.

Zachary and Jackie Loder for being so open about their struggles with early-onset menopause and infertility.

Dr. Bradley Phiel and Linda Kimes from Heston Veterinary Medical Center for assistance with animal therapy questions.

Linda Seitz and her therapy dog, Viva, for details on animal therapy, especially in a hospital setting, and for graciously agreeing to appear as characters in the story.

Lisa Lawmaster Hess for our weekly writing sessions, which include brainstorming, encouragement and caffeine.

Every single person who offered their support and prayers as I finished up this book in the midst of my dad’s accident. Thank you.