Heartfelt appreciation to my first readers and cheerleaders: Kim Denman, Diane Tullson, Beryl Young and Linda Irvine. Thanks also to Shannon Kirkwood for her Aussie-isms, friendship and for wielding the shovel while I held the bag. To the wildlife team of Grouse Mountain—thank you for including me in the fold. Your knowledge and passion for the animals in your care are inspiring.
Orca Book Publishers is a collection of true professionals and the nicest, most approachable people in the business. I know how blessed I am to have another book published by them.
Finally, a huge thank-you to all those readers of Dancing Naked who begged for more. This is for you.
The memorial service in chapter 1 was inspired by the Unitarian Church. The poem on page 2 was written by Mary Elizabeth Frye, and the reading on page 3 was written by Christine Robinson (Reading #454, from Singing the Living Tradition, Unitarian Universalist Association hymn book).