Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul: Stories About Pets as Teachers, Healers. Heroes and Friends [Paperback]

Animals bring out the goodness, humanity and optimism in people and speak directly to our souls. This joyous, inspiring and entertaining Chicken Soup collection relates the unique bonds between animals and the people whose lives they've changed. Such as the dolphins who helped a paralyzed woman heal when doctors offered little hope; the dog who brought life into a failing marriage; the kitten who helped a mother mourn; and the flying squirrel who taught a man the power of laughter. Packed with celebrity pet-lore, Chicken Soup for the Soul relates the unconditional love, loyalty, courage and companionship that only animals possess. Just like our furry, feathered and four-legged friends, this enchanting book will bring a smile to any pet lover's face ... and it's housebroken!

Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, the #1 New York Times Bestselling authors

Carol Kline is co-director of Noah's Ark Foundation, a no-kill animal rescue facility, where she helps care for and find homes for abandoned and injured animals.

Marty Becker, D.V.M., is the author of Becoming Your Dog's Best Friend: How to Earn Your Dog's Love, the practice leadership editor for Veterinary Economics magazine and a featured columnist for Pet Life magazine. Becker is a keynote speaker at veterinary conferences worldwide and a lecturer at veterinary schools across North America.

br> Becky and the Wolf With all her big brothers and sisters off to school, our ranch became a lonely place for our three-year-old daughter, Becky. She longed for playmates. Cattle and horses were too big to cuddle and farm machinery dangerous for a child so small. We promised to buy her a puppy but in the meantime, ôpretendö puppies popped up nearly every day. I had just finished washing the lunch dishes when the screen door slammed and Becky rushed in, cheeks flushed with excitement. ôMama!ö she cried. ôCome see my new doggy! I gave him water two times already. HeÆs so thirsty!ö I sighed. Another of BeckyÆs imaginary dogs. ôPlease come, Mama.ö She tugged at my jeans, her brown eyes pleading. ôHeÆs crying and he canÆt walk!ö ôCanÆt walkö? Now that was a twist. All her previous make-believe dogs could do marvelous things. One balanced a ball on the end of its nose. Another dug a hole that went all the way through the earth and fell out on a star on the other side. Still another danced on a tightrope. Why suddenly a dog that couldnÆt walk? ôAll right, honey,ö I said. By the time I tried to follow her, Becky had already disappeared into the mesquite. ôWhere are you?ö I called. ôOver here by the oak stump. Hurry, Mama!ö I parted the thorny branches and raised my hand against the glare of the Arizona sun. A numbing chill gripped me. There she was, sitting on her heels, toes dug firmly in the sand, and cradled in her lap was the unmistakable head of a wolf! Beyond its head rose massive black shoulders. The rest of the body lay completely hidden inside the hollow stump of a fallen oak. ôBecky.ö My mouth felt dry. ôDonÆt move.ö I stepped closer. Pale-yellow eyes narrowed. Black lips tightened, exposing double sets of two-inch fangs. Suddenly the wolf trembled. Its teeth clacked, and a piteous whine rose from its throat. ôItÆs all right, boy,ö Becky crooned. ôDonÆt be afraid. ThatÆs my mama, and she loves you, too.ö Then the unbelievable happened. As her tiny hands stroked the great shaggy head, I heard the gentle thump, thump, thumping of the wolfÆs tail from deep inside the stump. What was wrong with the animal? I wondered. Why couldnÆt he get up? I couldnÆt tell. Nor did I dare to step any closer. I glanced at the empty water bowl. My memory flashed back to the five skunks that last week had torn the burlap from a leaking pipe in a frenzied effort to reach water during the final agonies of rabies. Of course! Rabies! Warning signs had been posted all over the county, and hadnÆt Becky said, ôheÆs so thirstyö? I had to get Becky away. ôHoney.ö My throat tightened. ôPut his head down and come to Mama. WeÆll go find help.ö Reluctantly, Becky got up and kissed the wolf on the nose before she walked slowly into my outstretched arms. Sad yellow eyes followed her. Then the wolfÆs head sank to the ground. With Becky safe in my arms, I ran to the barns where Brian, one of our cowhands, was saddling up to check heifers in the north pasture