When Mark was a child, he only had one family dog. He was not then aware that his heart and home would eventually expand to include the forty-six animals that currently inhabit the Hansen compound, including four cats, three dogs, two birds, two horses, several goldfish, one bunny, one duck who thinks he is a chicken, and twenty-five chickens, all of which have names.

  Mark is a big man with a heart and spirit to match—an inspiration to all who seek to better themselves.

  For further information about Mark write:

  P.O. Box 7665

  Newport Beach, CA 92658

  phone: 949-759-9304 or 800-433-2314

  fax: 949-722-6912

  Web site: www.chickensoup.com

  Who Is Marty Becker?

  What Jacques Cousteau did for the oceans, what Carl Sagan did for space, Dr. Marty Becker is doing for pets.

  As a veterinarian, noted author, university educator, media personality, industry spokesperson, professional speaker and pet lover, Dr. Becker is one of the most widely recognized family doctors for pets in the world. Not only is he one of the most visible and vocal proponents of the family-pet bond (“The Bond”), he coined the term. Dr. Becker has demonstrated an uncanny ability to create bonds that span geography, cultures and species.

  In his multifaceted eighteen-year career, Dr. Becker has been at the forefront of changing the way we interact with and take responsibility for our pets. Dr. Becker is the author of the bestselling book, Becoming Your Dog’s Best Friend. He is also the practice leadership editor for Veterinary Economics Magazine, a featured columnist for PetLife Magazine and a national spokesperson for Hallmark Cards Pet Love Greetings. In addition to teaching at all of the veterinary schools in the United States, he is also a popular guest on leading network and cable television shows.

  Dr. Becker is an inspiring, entertaining and dynamic communicator and has relentlessly and enthusiastically promoted the powerful life-enhancing benefits of pets and people, living in harmony and interdependence. His engaging on-stage presence, excellent communication skills and zealous attitude make him at hit at meetings around the world. He develops and delivers custom-tailored keynote presentations, seminars and training courses for civic organizations, health care groups, universities and businesses on numerous topics including the people-pet partnership, optimal health, self-esteem, personal empowerment, team building and leadership issues.

  For further information about Dr. Becker, contact:

  Marty Becker, D.V.M.

  250 2nd Ave. South, Ste. B2

  Twin Falls, ID 83301

  phone: 208-734-8174

  fax: 208-733-5405

  e-mail: [email protected]

  Web site: www.BondWorks.com

  Who Is Carol Kline?

  Carol Kline has been a pet lover her entire life. She is the codirector of the Noah’s Ark Animal Foundation Dog Rescue Program, in Fairfield, Iowa, a volunteer effort that saves lost, stray and abandoned dogs.

  Carol spends many hours a week monitoring the fate of animals that are brought into the city pound. She also walks, feeds and “socializes” the dogs at the Noah’s Ark facility, a cageless shelter for cats and dogs. “The gratitude and love I receive from these animals are more fulfilling than any paycheck I could ever receive. Volunteering time with the dogs fills my heart, and brings great joy to my life.”

  Coauthoring Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul has strengthened her existing appreciation for all animals and deepened her commitment to animal-rescue work.

  A freelance writer for ten years, Carol, who has a B.A. in literature, has written for newspapers, newsletters and other publications. Recently she has contributed stories and her editing talents to other Chicken Soup for the Soul books.

  In addition to her writing and animal work, Carol is also a speaker, self-esteem facilitator and certified instructor of the parenting skills program, Redirecting Children’s Behavior (RCB). The first RCB instructor in Iowa, Carol presents workshops and in-service programs for childcare providers, and teaches a five-week program for parents. She has also been a counselor at a self-esteem camp in Missouri for teens and kids. Since 1975, Carol has taught stress-management programs to the general public. In 1990, she studied with Jack Canfield, and since then has assisted as a facilitator in his annual Train the Trainers program. Her dynamic and engaging style has won her enthusiastic receptions from the various audiences she addresses.

  Carol has the good fortune to be married to Larry Kline, and is stepmother to Lorin and McKenna. Besides her “main” dog, Hannah, Carol houses foster dogs until they find permanent homes.

  You may contact Carol at:

  P.O. Box 1262 • Fairfield, IA 52556

  phone: 515-469-3889 • fax: 515-472-3720

  e-mail: [email protected]

  Contributors

  Many of the stories in this book were taken from books we have read which are acknowledged in the Permissions section. If you would like to contact authors for information on their books, tapes or seminars, you can reach them at the addresses and phone numbers provided.

  Many of the stories were also contributed by readers like yourself, who responded to our request for stories. We have also included information about them.

  Vickie Lynne Agee earned her bachelor’s degree in English and psychology from Brigham Young University in 1982. She has taught in these two fields for the past fourteen years. Currently, she teaches seventh-grade English at Columbiana Middle School, near Birmingham, Alabama. She enjoys freelance writing in her spare time.

  George Baker, D.V.M., has been in a general rural veterinary practice for thirty-four years. His primary area of expertise is with horses. He is currently accumulating material for a book he plans to write about his years of practice, particularly special patients he has come to know.

  Fred Bauer, author of many bestselling books, is one of the country’s favorite inspirational writers. Former executive editor of Guideposts magazine, he is the founder and president of Littlebrook Publishing, Inc., Princeton, New Jersey.

  Jan K. Stewart Bass is a freelance writer, newspaper columnist and author of the award-winning book, At Home in the Heartland: Seasons of Serenity. She is a member of the National Federation of Press Women and founder of Stillmeadow Society of Iowa. You may contact her at 119 Upland Dr., Council Bluffs, IA 51503.

  Gregg Bassett is the founder and president of The Squirrel Lover’s Club as well as the editor of the club’s newsletter, In a Nutshell. The international club serves the interests of squirrels and squirrel lovers and can be reached at 318 W. Fremont Ave., Elmhurst, IL 60126, or by calling 630-833-1117.

  Christine E. Belleris is the editorial director at Health Communications, Inc. (HCI), the publisher of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. A native of Denver, Colorado, she now lives in Boca Raton, Florida, with her husband, Jeff, and their animal family: Wilma, a loving mixed-breed dog; Rufus, a spirited gray tabby cat; and Isis, a snow-white 21-year-old kitty. A devoted animal lover, Christine spends her spare time feeding and finding homes for the parade of stray animals that seem to find their way to the HCI offices.

  Jean Brody is a national magazine columnist, Kentucky newspaper columnist, creative writing teacher and a public motivational/inspirational speaker. She lives with her husband, a Newfoundland dog, three cats and a pet Nubian goat on their Thoroughbred horse farm, Jean & Gene Farm. Jean has published dozens of short stories, articles and Braille Me, a compilation of her published work.

  Carolyn Butler, directs Changes: The Support for People and Pets Program at Colorado State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital. She coauthored The Human-Animal Bond and Grief and Friends for Life: Loving and Losing Your Animal Companion and owns World by the Tail, Inc., the producers of ClayPaws, the original paw print kit.

  Leona Campbell has written for the Idaho Outdoors magazine, Valley News, Country Woman magazine, Idaho Statesman Newspaper and Poet Voices magazine. Leona is a 1994 graduate of the Christian Writer’s Institute. She is
presently writing a book entitled Talk to God: He Listens 24 Hours a Day.

  Jo Coudert is a freelance writer, a frequent contributor to Woman’s Day and Reader’s Digest, and the author of seven books, among them the bestselling Advice from a Failure. Her most recent works are Seven Cats and the Art of Living, The Ditchdigger’s Daughters and the forthcoming The Good Shepherd.

  Cerie L. Couture, D.V.M., is a veterinarian in Norwich, Vermont. She enjoys running with her Shetland sheepdog, Mollie, and hiking in the Green Mountains with her family. She can be reached at 253 River Rd., Norwich, VT 05055.

  Paul C. Dahm holds a B.S. and a master’s degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He is active in civil rights, was a charter member of NOW, and has been a Dodger fan since the arrival of Jackie Robinson. He is a practicing grief counselor.

  Angel Di Benedetto is an internationally recognized Guild Certified Feldenkrais Trainer originally from Manhattan. Through The Feldenkrais Method, her teaching focuses on developing creativity to enhance artistic expression, self-confidence, personal awareness and one’s quality of life. She can be reached in South Florida at 305-661-5227, or by fax at 305-669-4350, or via e-mail at [email protected]

  Karen Del Tufo was born in Brooklyn, New York. She attended John Adams High School and Brookdale Community College, and graduated from the Long Ridge Writers Group. She has published poems in the Selected Works of Our Worlds Best Poets, Great Poems of Our Times, The Hale House Newsletter, The International Society of Authors and Artists and local newspapers.

  Robin Downing, D.V.M., is owner of Windsor Veterinary Clinic, PC, in Windsor, Colorado, a progressive veterinary practice accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association. She is a well-known speaker and trainer who was named the Up and Coming Veterinarian of the Year for the state of Colorado in 1995, and who in 1996 was named the Outstanding Woman Veterinarian of the Year in North America. Dr. Downing shares her home and clinic with an assortment of animals, including ten cats, three dogs, several birds, a rabbit, a guinea pig, a hedgehog and a gray squirrel.

  Judy Doyle has been adopting and rescuing parrots and educating the public about them for over ten years. She visits elementary schools with her feathered friends and writes for local bird club publications on care and nutrition for healthier and happier parrots.

  S. C. Edwards, born into the world as “Robert,” credits his two sons and their wonderment with this earth as his driving force. Edwards believes that everyone needs to surround themselves with kindred in order to touch the soul of humankind. A Harley-riding jack-of-all-trades, he is now a middle manager for corporate America.

  Janet Foley, D.V.M., is a small-animal practitioner in Northern Virginia. She shares her home with her husband and three cats. In her spare time, she writes stories about her adventures in small-animal practice and about her pets.

  Toni Fulco has authored over 150 articles, stories and poems in national magazines and anthologies. She raises cockatiels at home and is known locally as “the bird lady” for her affectionate, talkative, hand-fed babies. Toni can be reached at 89 Penn Estates, E. Stroudsburg, PA 18301, or by calling 717-421-3417.

  David Giannelli has been a New York City fireman since 1975 and has been involved in numerous human and animal rescues. David has always been an animal lover and worked in a veterinary hospital when he was a teenager, when he first learned about animal behavior. He can be reached at Ladder Co. 175, Engine 332, 165 Bradford St., Brooklyn, NY 11207.

  Bill Goss is a highly sought-after professional speaker and author of The Luckiest Unlucky Man Alive. Bill’s inspiring and hilarious true story about a garbage man who becomes a Navy pilot has been featured internationally on radio and television shows such as Extra, The 700 Club and KIIS 102.7. Contact him at P.O. Box 7060, Orange Park, FL 32073, or by calling 904-278-8900. His Web site is www.bookworld.com/luckiest.

  Bonnie Compton Hanson, writer/speaker, is coauthor of three books plus hundreds of published poems and articles. Her family includes husband Don, sons, grandsons, cats, birds and possums! You can reach Bonnie at 3330 S. Lowell St., Santa Ana, CA 92707; phone 714-751-7824; e-mail [email protected]

  Earl Holliman is the president of Actors and Others for Animals. If you would like further information please write him at 11523 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601-2309.

  Bill Holton is graciously allowed to share his home with three demanding yet adorable Siamese cats and his demanding yet adorable wife, Tara. Bill is a freelance writer from Richmond, Virginia. When not feverishly begging magazine editors for assignments, he actually dreams of retiring to the Florida Keys, where he will concentrate his boundless energy on fishing. He can be reached at [email protected]

  Roma Ihnatowycz is a journalist who worked four years as a correspondent in Kiev, initially for United Press International and then for the Associated Press. Roma is currently writing a book on Ukrainian cuisine and can be reached at 72 Sunnylea Ave. E, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M8Y 2K6.

  Lynn A. Kerman is a homegrown urban mystic who spends as much time frolicking and communing in the wilderness as possible. She is available for writing, speaking, and holding classes and individual sessions on spiritual awakening. This is her effortless work and joy. You may contact her at 310-391-2049 or 818-777-2860, or e-mail her at [email protected]

  Henry (Hank) Ketcham created DENNIS THE MENACE in October 1950 and it was syndicated the following March. Today DENNIS THE MENACE is distributed by North America Syndicate to more than 1,200 newspapers in 48 countries and is translated into 19 languages.

  Shawnacy Kiker is a nineteen-year-old Christian college student with a passion for words and for the God who created them. Contact Shawnacy at 310-397-0161, or by writing her at 2532 Lincoln Blvd., Suite 500, Marina Del Rey, CA 90291 with your story. She would love to help you write it!

  Paul H. King, D.V.M., is director of Veterinary Technical and Professional Support for Ralston Purina Company. Paul has spoken at hundreds of U.S. and international veterinary meetings. He developed the Purina “Caring For Pets” program and is the editor of Dietary Management in Small Animal Practice.

  Joe Kirkup’s essays have appeared in weekly magazines throughout the U.S. He is the recipient of two Sigma Delta Chi awards for feature writing. An anthology, Life Sentences, can be purchased from Xpress, P.O. Box 63, Colchester, CT 06415. Call 860-572-0079 or e-mail at [email protected]

  Larry Paul Kline is a pilot, sailor, inventor and real estate developer who currently lives in Fairfield, Iowa. He has a wife, Carol, and children, Lorin and McKenna. Although it’s been a long time since his “mountain man” days, he still enjoys adventure, animals and the wilderness. Some of his goals include: designing living systems for complete self-sufficiency, living on a sailboat while exploring the world, and experiencing inner joy and peace in every moment. Larry can be reached at P.O. Box 1262, Fairfield, IA 52556.

  Laurel Lagoni directs Changes: the Support for People and Pets Program at Colorado State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital. She coauthored The Human-Animal Bond and Grief and Friends for Life: Loving and Losing Your Animal Companion and owns World by the Tail, Inc., the producers of ClayPaws, the original paw print kit.

  Art Linkletter is the originator of Kids Say the Darndest Things and star of CBS House Party for 26 years and NBC’s People Are Funny for 19 years.

  Mary Marcdante is an inspiring and compassionate professional speaker, trainer and author whose programs on personal change, stress management, and communication bring insights, solutions and fun to conventions, businesses, communities and health care conferences around the world. She helps people make healthier choices, push personal boundaries and live a more creative, inspired and fulfilling life. She is the author of Inspiring Words for Inspiring People and the upcoming Questions for My Mother. She can be reached at 619-792-6786. Write P.O. Box 2417, Del Mar, CA 92014, or e-mail [email protected] aol.com.

  Sara L. (Robinson) Mark, D.V.M., owns a small-animal practice and has inte
rest in animal-assisted therapy programs and zoonotic disease control. In The Children’s Hospital Prescription Pet Program since 1985, Sara authored the program’s original protocol and advocates setting up similar hospital-based programs. She can be reached at Southwest Veterinary Hospital, 250 E. Dry Creek Rd., Littleton, CO 80122.

  Yvonne A. Martell is a sixty-nine-year-old retired person who lives with her beloved pet in a lovely small town in California. She has never before written anything for publication, but couldn’t resist the opportunity to share her “pet” true story with other pet lovers.

  Jane Martin (Jana to friends), the author and editor of many books, including Cats in Love and Scarlett Saves Her Family, has appeared on Geraldo Rivera and Fox News and in Cosmopolitan and People magazines. Now completing a novel, she shares a Brooklyn warehouse with her boyfriend and a dog.

  Dennis McIntosh, D.V.M., veterinary practitioner for thirty years, has been published in Veterinary Economics, Veterinary Forum, D.V.M. Management and others. Active in veterinary associations and youth groups, he teaches veterinary technicians and also provides grief counseling. He can be reached at 13039 Nacogdoches, San Antonio, TX 78217 or by calling 210-656-1444.

  Faith McNulty’s career as an observer and advocate for wildlife began with the story of Mousie, first published in 1964. Since then her writing on whooping cranes, whales, blackfooted ferrets and other endangered species has appeared in Audubon Magazine and The New Yorker, and in book form. You can contact Faith by e-mail at [email protected]

  W. W. Meade started writing at the age of fourteen. His first story was published in Collier magazine at the age of twenty-two. He wrote short fiction stories for the Saturday Evening Post, Gentlemen’s Quarterly and several others. He then turned to writing nonfiction for magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Redbook and the Reader’s Digest. Later he took a position in the publishing world and became the managing editor of Cosmopolitan and then the managing editor of the Reader’s Digest Book Club. His last position in publishing was president and editor in chief of Avon Books, which he continued to do for ten years. Today, Walter is retired and writing short stories for Reader’s Digest as well as many other magazines and periodicals. He can be reached at 4561 NW 67 Terrace, Lauderhill, FL 33319.