About the Book

A memoir of second chances, healing and how rescuing a dog rescued me.

Having never had a dog of his own, Don was not prepared for what it meant to adopt one of the most behaviorally difficult rescues in the shelter. But something about Barbie, a mutt that everyone had given up on, a mutt so fearful and unresponsive that she was within days of being put down, convinced Don to open his home and his heart for the first time to a canine companion, changing both of their lives forever.

Interspersed with Don’s most poignant memories of volunteering at his local animal shelter, The Mutt for Me follows the many misadventures of Don and Barbie on their mutual journey of growth and healing. You’ll see Barbie transform from the terrified, despondent recluse to the lively and almost always well-behaved dog she is today.

As a first-time dog dad of a pup in need of significant behavioral development, Don shows that with enough love, patience, and dedication, anyone can provide a home to a rescue animal. The Mutt for Me is a heartwarming story about how our pets have the capacity to transform and heal us as much as we do the same for them.

About the Book

Through the lens of time, this memoir unfolds as a tender reflection on love, resilience, and faith. It follows a young sailor who married his high school sweetheart in 1951 and together built a life –navigating the joys of parenthood, the heartbreak of their children’s divorces, and the trials of major illness.

Anchored by unwavering devotion to each other and their community they weather life’s storms with faith as their guide, never losing sight of the vows they exchanged so long ago.

This story will resonate deeply with readers who cherish narratives of enduring love, those nostalgic for mid-century Americana, and anyone who finds inspiration in commitment. family, and the quiet heroism of ordinary lives.