I’m very excited to announce that another of my short stories, “He Brought Back My Dad’s Smile,” has been published in the latest Chicken Soup for the Soul book, What I Learned from My Dog
When my mother passed away, the heartbreak of losing such an amazing woman was everywhere. I’ll never forget the number of people at her wake needing comforted because they missed her so greatly. But, no one missed her more than my father did.
“He Brought Back My Dad’s Smile” is about my father finding hope, joy, and laughter again when he adopted Tank. Those two made a perfect match: Two rough and tumble looking guys that were nothing more than big, lovable teddy bears underneath. Dad took Tank everywhere!
What was truly amazing was the training program offered by the humane society where Dad adopted him. At the Madison County Humane Society, they offer what is called the Fresh Start Canine Program where inmates at a local correctional institution become trainers, or handlers as the program calls them, for dogs that are later available for adoption. This is a wonderful program because it offers a chance to learn a skill that can secure employment for the inmates and gives the dogs a greater chance at being adopted.
I was beyond impressed at the way Tank was trained. My dad would say any command and Tank would do it. My favorite was where he would take his hand and bring his fingers and thumb together like a mouth opening and closing. Immediately, Tank would give a glorious bark. He followed Dad, he came when called, he was patient and waited not only for his food to be set in front of him, but then to be told he could eat. This is an amazing program!
I am so happy to be included in the wonderful collection of great authors in this latest release from Chicken Soup for the Soul!
So, check out the new Chicken Soup for the Soul: What I Learned from My Dog!
It’s available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble