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  What People Are Saying About

  Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul . . .

  “. . . If you liked James Herriot’s books, you’ll love Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul.”

  James Wight

  veterinarian and son of James Herriot

  “The stories in Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul are powerful, heartwarming and full of life. Every story speaks to me of the special love we share with our pets. My dog Sheldon and I especially enjoyed this book.”

  Stephen R. Covey

  author, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

  “In our relationship to the world, the profoundest mystery of all is the power of love. Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul is about this mystery. It comes from and reveals the deepest recesses of the heart. This book is a joyful experience.”

  Roger A. Caras

  author and president, ASPCA

  “Thanks for honoring some of our most important friends on earth—our pets. Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul vividly illustrates how they enrich our lives in so many ways. I couldn’t put the book down. You will love it!”

  Monty Roberts

  author, The Man Who Listens to Horses

  “As a pet owner and lover, I know how important animals are to our sense of well-being and how deeply we love them. Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul is a perfect tribute to our special relationship with our pets.”

  Leeza Gibbons

  executive producer and host, Leeza

  “. . . Three things have sustained me through the worst and best of times: dogs, cats and chicken soup. Now all three of those life-saving ingredients are combined in this collection of moving stories about the unique role that our beloved animals play in our lives. Keep the tissues handy. You’ll need them.”

  Mordecai Siegal

  author, The Davis Book of Dogs,

  president, Dog Writer’s Association of America, Inc.

  “Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul is a happy lick and a friendly meow in your future—great reading for you and your pet in your ‘Cocoon’!”

  Faith Popcorn

  consumer trend forecaster and

  founder, BrainReserve

  “Simply the best feel-good collection of true stories from people who have loved and been loved by an animal companion.”

  Phyllis Levy

  books editor, Good Housekeeping magazine

  “Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul will help you heal, be happy and inspired and even save the world in the only way these miracles are possible: by sharing the spirit of hope and love that passes through all living things.”

  Michael Capuzzo

  coauthor, Cat Caught My Heart and

  syndicated columnist, Newsday

  “Finally a book I can read to my dogs! Seriously, Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul is a wonderful book—every story is a gem!”

  Mathilde de Cagney

  trainer of “Eddie” on Frasier

  “These stories capture the true essence of the wonderful bond that exists between pets and their people. Every pet lover should have this book!”

  Jeff Werber, D.V.M.

  host of Petcetera on the Animal Planet Channel

  “In a lifetime of loving animals, I have rarely come across anything as special as the stories in this book. If you’ve ever known the generous love of a companion animal, you’ll cherish these stories.”

  Gina Spadafori

  editorial director, Pet Care Forum on America Online,

  author, Dogs for Dummies, coauthor, Cats for Dummies

  “Take two stories and you’ll feel better in the morning. Your spirits will be lifted by these true-life tales!”

  Steve Dale

  syndicated columnist, “My Pet World” and

  PetLife magazine and host, WGN Radio’s “Pet Central”

  “Bravo! Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul is comforting and delicious.”

  Bea Arthur

  actress

  CHICKEN SOUP

  FOR THE PET

  LOVER’S SOUL

  Stories About Pets

  as Teachers, Healers,

  Heroes and Friends

  Jack Canfield

  Mark Victor Hansen

  Marty Becker, D.V.M.

  Carol Kline

  Health Communications, Inc.

  Deerfield Beach, Florida

  www.hcibooks.com

  www.chickensoup.com

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Chicken soup for the pet lover’s soul: stories about pets as teachers, healers,

  heroes and friends /[edited by] Jack Canfield . . . [et al.].

  p. cm.

  eISBN-13: 978-0-7573-9712-7 (ebook) eISBN-10: 0-7573-9712-3 (ebook)

  1. Pets—Anecdotes. 2. Pet owners—Anecdotes. 3. Human-animal

  relationships—Anecdotes. I. Canfield, Jack

  SF416.C48 1998 97-50409

  818’.540308036—dc21 CIP

  © 1998 John T. Canfield and Hansen and Hansen LLC

  All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher.

  HCI, its logos and marks are trademarks of Health Communications, Inc.

  Publisher: Health Communications, Inc.

  3201 S.W. 15th Street

  Deerfield Beach, FL 33442-8190

  R-12-06

  Cover illustration by Jan Bryan-Hunt, courtesy of Hallmark Licensing Inc., Kansas City, Missouri, ©1998.

  This book is dedicated with love to: the millions of devoted and caring pet lovers of the world, and to all the animals who share the earth with us, especially the world’s pets, who show us what it means to love fully and unconditionally.

  We also dedicate this book to all veterinarians and their team members, whose big hearts and dedicated, compassionate service make us proud beyond measure to honor and support them.

  To our hero, James Herriot, the Yorkshire veterinarian who has touched the lives of millions of people and forever changed the way we view the special connection between mankind and the rest of the animal kingdom. May his star always shine brightly!

  And finally, to God, from whom all blessings flow, whose loving hand daily manifests itself through our pets—who are our angels, friends, teachers and healers.

  Reprinted by permission of Dan Rosandich. ©1998 Dan Rosandich.

  Contents

  Acknowledgments

  Introduction

  Share with Us

  1. ON LOVE

  Delayed Delivery Cathy Miller

  Frisk James Herriot, D.V.M.

  Becky and the Wolf Penny Porter

  Friends Karen Del Tufo

  The Puppy Express Jo Coudert

  When Snowball Melted Bonnie Compton Hanson

  An Experiment in Love Jo Coudert

  Heartstrings Susan Race

  A Different Kind of Angel Penny Porter

  Home Joe Kirkup

  Innocent Homeless Lori S. Mohr

  Priorities Terri Crisp and Samantha Glen

  Pepper’s Place Dawn Uittenbogaard

  Sparkle the Wonder Dog Gilda Radner

  Pet Love Betty White

  Little Lost Dog Donna Chaney

  2. PETS AS TEACHERS

  The Gift of Subira Bettie B. Youngs, Ph.D., Ed.D.

  The Dog Next Door Jimmy Stewart as told to Dick Schneider

  The Joy of the Run W. W. Meade

  Summer of the Raccoons Fred Bauer
>
  Things We Can Learn from a Dog Joy Nordquist

  Birds, Bees and Guppies Erma Bombeck

  The Star of the Rodeo Larry Paul Kline

  Life Lessons from Lovebirds Vickie Lynne Agee

  3. PETS AS HEALERS

  Cheyenne Catherine Moore

  The Gift of Courage Roxanne Willems Snopek Raht

  Saddle Therapy Sherri Perkins as told to Bill Holton

  Kitty Magic Lynn A. Kerman

  The Golden Years Yvonne A. Martell

  Swimming with Dolphins Roberta (Rusty) VanSickle

  There’s a Squirrel in My Coffee! Bill Goss

  Finders Keepers Leona Campbell

  Seeing Kathe Neyer

  Guardian Angels Richard Wolkomir

  A Real Charmer Lynne Layton Zielinski

  Socks Steve Smith

  Jenny and Brucie Cerie L. Couture, D.V.M.

  An Extra Ten Minutes Mary Marcdante

  4. CELEBRATING THE BOND

  The Language of Horses Monty Roberts as told to Carol Kline

  The Rescue Terri Crisp and Samantha Glen

  Lucky to Be Alive Christine E. Belleris

  Dog of War Joe Kirkup

  The Deer and the Nursing Home Jo Coudert

  Turkeys Bailey White

  Tiny and the Oak Tree Dennis K. McIntosh, D.V.M.

  The Captain David E. Sykes

  The Woman Who Took Chickens Under Her Wing Earl Holliman

  Miracles Do Happen Paul H. King, D.V.M.

  Darlene Sara (Robinson) Mark, D.V.M.

  The Little Dog That Nobody Wanted Jan K. Stewart Bass

  5. AMAZING ANIMALS

  Buffalo Games Gary Paulsen

  Doctola Herbert J. (Reb) Rebhan, D.V.M.

  A Mother’s Love David Giannelli

  Daughter of Sunshine Carol Kline

  The Eyes of Tex Honzie L. Rodgers

  The Christmas Mouse Diane M. Smith

  Juneau’s Official Greeter Roberta Sandler

  Simon Rosamond M. Young

  6. ON COMPANIONSHIP

  The Ugly Pupling Angel Di Benedetto

  Babblers Anonymous Kathleen M. Muldoon

  A Damaged Dog Roma Ihnatowycz

  A French Cat Jean Brody

  Tailless Tom Louis J. Camuti, D.V.M.

  The White House Dog Millie Bush as dictated to Barbara Bush

  Barney Gregg Bassett

  Mousekeeping Faith McNulty

  The Cat and the Grizzly Dave Siddon as told to Jane Martin

  Fine Animal Gorilla Francine (Penny) Patterson, Ph.D.

  7. SAYING GOOD-BYE

  The Price of Love Fred Bauer

  Forever Rocky S. C. Edwards

  The Lone Duck Marion Bond West

  With These Hands Marty Becker, D.V.M.

  Soul to Soul Carolyn Butler with Laurel Lagoni

  The Rainbow Bridge Paul C. Dahm

  That Dog Disguise Isn’t Fooling Anyone Jennifer Warnes with Shawnacy Kiker

  Rites of Passage Robin Downing, D.V.M.

  Saying Good-Bye Carol Kline

  Toto’s Last Christmas Janet Foley, D.V.M.

  8. PETCETERA

  Good Neighbors Marion Bond West

  The Cat and the Cat Burglar Laya Schaetzel-Hawthorne

  The Auction Robert Fulghum

  Sing We Noel Toni Fulco

  Taking the Zip Out of Zippy Dave Barry

  Marty Had a Little Lamb Marty Becker, D.V.M.

  The Ice Breaker Diane Williamson

  Kids Say the Darndest Things—About Dogs Art Linkletter

  Let Sleeping Dogs Lie Susan F. Roman

  The Legacy Jeff Werber, D.V.M.

  The Truth About Annie Judy Doyle

  A Vet’s Wages George Baker, D.V.M.

  More Chicken Soup?

  Pet Lovers’ Organizations

  Who Is Jack Canfield?

  Who Is Mark Victor Hansen?

  Who Is Marty Becker?

  Who Is Carol Kline?

  Contributors

  Permissions

  Acknowledgments

  This book took the dedicated and passionate help of family, friends, staff, business partners, celebrities and some hometown heroes to make it happen!

  First, a huge thank you to our families!

  To Jack’s wife, Georgia, and his son, Christopher, who, in the midst of the pressure-filled weeks it takes to finish a book like this, constantly reminded him to slow down, smell the roses, play fetch with Daisy, feed the fish and “purr the cats.” To Jack’s mother, Ellen, who instilled in him a love for all creatures big and small, and whose stepfather, Fred, worked so hard to purchase, house and feed them—from the purebreds to the numerous strays that inevitably appeared on their doorstep.

  To Mark’s wife, Patty, who has the biggest heart for animals of almost anyone we know in the whole world; and to his daughter, Elisabeth, who often declares that she is going to become an animal chiropractor, and to his daughter, Melanie, who has decided that one of her chief missions in life is to help save the elephants on the planet.

  To Marty’s beloved wife, Teresa, and his precious children, Mikkel and Lex, without whose abundant love, laughter and vitality this book would not have been possible, nor worth the journey. To Virginia Becker and the late Bob Becker, who taught Marty to love, honor and serve all of God’s creatures, visibly and fully. To Valdie, Jim and Rockey Burkholder, whose goodness, serenity and support have allowed Marty to marinate in a hometown oasis of beauty, simplicity and goodness.

  To Carol’s husband, Larry, for his deep and enduring love and his support on all levels. And to her stepchildren, Lorin and McKenna, for pitching in and doing whatever had to be done at home to help this book come together. You guys are the best! Love and gratitude to Carol’s parents, Selmajean Zurer Schneider and the late Raymond Zurer and the rest of her wonderful family.

  Your love and support are inexpressibly dear to us. And your patience and inexhaustible enthusiasm are deeply appreciated.

  Special and heartfelt thanks to Marci Shimoff, for her incredible support and generous encouragement during all stages of putting this book together. Your friendship is a gift. We love you, Marci.

  Grateful thanks go to Heather McNamara, our senior editor, who worked so hard to make this book happen and was instrumental at every stage.

  Thanks to Nancy Mitchell, for her incredible effectiveness in getting all the permissions we needed and keeping all of the simultaneous “book action” straight.

  Thanks to Patty Aubery, who oversaw every aspect of production with warmth, humor and skill. You are amazing.

  Kimberly Kirberger, our managing editor, who read and commented on the manuscript during its various incarnations; and Ro Miller, for handling correspondence and phone communications with our many contributors (and for sharing her story about the wild birthday parties she’d throw for her dog, Clay-boy).

  Veronica Romero, Leslie Forbes, Lisa Williams, Laurie Hartman and Teresa Esparza, for holding down the fort while the rest of us wrote and edited.

  Linn Thomas, Carole Kasel, Bonnie Dodge and J. J. Annest, for helping Marty solicit, collect and acknowledge thousands of phone calls, letters, faxes and e-mail messages.

  Judy Palma, a real pet lover, for reading every story and giving her feedback so lovingly.

  David E. Sykes, director of the Noah’s Ark Animal Foundation, for his compassionate and tireless dedication to rescuing animals and his sincere support of this project.

  Jennifer Read Hawthorne, for her comfort and advice at several crucial moments. It meant a lot to us.

  Fred C. Angelis, Jack’s stepfather, who read and commented on every story in the book. Your feedback was invaluable.

  Tami Wells, D.V.M., for her help as a field consultant.

  Sharon Linnea and Ann Reeves, for their excellent and timely help with editing.

  Some key industry partners, Bayer Animal Health and Iams Pet Nutrition, for supporting this book—first as pet lovers, and second as companies that have devoted
incredible resources, both personal and professional, over many years to helping pets live happier, healthier, fuller lives. We would like to single out John Payne from Bayer, and John Talmadge, D.V.M., and Rich Kocon from The Iams Company for special recognition. They are special friends, good stewards of the resources at their disposal and special shepherds of the family-pet bond.

  The people who wholeheartedly supported our efforts to get word out about submitting stories for our book. We want to thank Dog Fancy, Veterinary Economics, and PetLife magazines. Special thanks to Lucille Deview from the Orange County Register, who knows how important pets are to the elderly and featured a request for submissions in her syndicated column.

  Thanks to all of the people who agreed to dedicate a few weeks to evaluating, commenting upon and improving the stories you see in this book. We could never have created such a high-quality book without them. The panel of readers included: Fred C. Angelis, Virginia Becker, Elizabeth Brown, Patty Burlingame, Valdie Burkholder, Diana Chapman, Joanne Clevenger, Robin Downing, D.V.M., Lisa Drucker, Pam Finger, Mary Gagnon, Sally Gavre, Karyn Gavzer, Suzanne Giraudeau, Nancy Richard Guilford, Elinor Hall, Allison Janse, Rita M. Kline, Robin Kotok, Hale and Dolores Kuhlman, Roger Kuhn, D.V.M., Nancy Leahy, M. B. Leininger, D.V.M., Wendy S. Myers, Holly Moore, Judy Palma, Ann Reeves, Karen Robert, Maida Rogerson, Marci Shimoff, Annie Slawik, Laura May Story, C.V.T., Carolyn Teale, Anne Tremblay, Susan B. Tyler, Hilda Villaverde, Elizabeth Walker, Celeste Wallace, Patricia Wallis, Dottie Walters, Wendy Warburton, Luree Welch, Diana and Ted Wentworth, Terry Wilson and Rachel Zurer.

  All the people at our publisher, Health Communications, Inc.—especially Peter Vegso and Gary Seidler—for believing in this book from the moment it was proposed, and for getting it into the hands of millions of readers.

  Christine Belleris, Matthew Diener, Allison Janse and Lisa Drucker, our editors at Health Communications, and Randee Goldsmith, our Chicken Soup for the Soul product manager. They were always there to support us and give us words of encouragement along the way.

  Our incredibly creative and effective publicists Kim Weiss and Ronni O’Brien.

  Claude Choquette, who manages year after year to get each of our books translated into over twenty languages around the world.

  Anna Kanson at Guideposts and Taryn Phillips at Woman’s World. Thanks for your continued support on all our projects.

  All of Marty’s veterinary colleagues from around the world who have helped shine energizing light on the sanctity and precious nature of the family-pet bond: R. K. Anderson, Scott Campbell, Rich Ford, Ray Glick, Bob Kibble, Mary Beth Leininger, Brad Swift, Chuck Wayner, James Wight and James Wilson to name a few.