Sandy faced a dilemma: whose needs should come first, those of her paralyzed dog or her healthy husband? After a tragic accident killed her first dog, ten days later, her new puppy died from distemper. Sandy's third dog, a springer spaniel named Kaylee, survived falling off a 75-foot cliff at the age of nine months. These three tragedies compelled Sandy to prove that she was not a failure as a pet owner. Kaylee relied on Sandy for everything, and Sandy needed her dog. Kaylee and her eventual successor, Cassie, became Sandy's 'heart dogs'--those once-in-a-lifetime pets that affected her soul, giving her the courage to stand up to her parents, get the job of her dreams, and help her grow in her relationship with her husband.
This memoir examines the realities of helping a dog heal from a traumatic injury and the stress it puts on a marriage. Filled with the joys of small accomplishments and advice on how to make it through the rough patches, it offers a lifeline for a reader struggling not to give up on their dog or their relationships.
