Angel Dogs with a Mission: Divine Messengers in Service to All Life by Minnesota authors, Allen and Linda Anderson (New World Library, October 2008), is a collection of twenty true stories about dogs who found their purpose in life and gave bucket-loads without expecting a return. The foreword is written by Marc Bekoff, PhD, professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

As with the hugely popular Marley & Me, millions of dog lovers will want to be inspired and entertained by the dramatic human-and-dog journeys in this new book. The amazing stories provide laughter, proof that miracles are possible, and tears - the good kind.

Keno, the yellow Lab took only 22 minutes to find a lift operator, buried in an avalanche (people can't survive more than 30 minutes) and was named Search and Rescue Dog of the Year in 2002 by Purina.

Abdul, the first service dog, trained by Bonnie Bergin and Kerrill Knaus-Hardy in the mid-70s, paved the way for people with disabilities to gain independence.

Marvin, a lame, Rhode Island SPCA Labrador retriever turned family pet, paints with his tail, has exhibits of his artwork, visits schools and nursing homes, and raises money to enable elderly and sick people to keep their pets.

Anna, a German shepherd at Ground Zero after September 11, damaged her lungs searching through the wreckage and inspired Sarah Atlas to start an assistance program for volunteer search and rescue dog handlers.

Kobi, a yellow Lab and beloved family pet with an exceptional sense of smell and intelligence, became one of the most famous cancer-sniffing dogs in the world and contributed to breakthrough research fro combating this deadly disease.

Tuffy, a King Charles Cavalier served as grief counselor with Dr. Karla Rose during the horrible days following the Virginia Tech shootings

Skidboot, the world famous Texas blue heeler of cowboy and entertainer David Hartwig, was a guest on Jay Leno, Oprah, and David Letterman shows but started life as an abandoned puppy who grew up to become an inspiration for millions.

 

"As teachers, friends, therapists, healers, and rescuers, dogs enrich our lives immensely. They don't ask much in return -- a tummy rub, a smile, a game of fetch. Our world would be much poorer without dogs like those in this book and our homes."
--Nancy Peterson, Feral Cat Program Manager, The Humane Society of the United States

"Read this book and share it widely. Read these stories to kids. Angel Dogs with a Mission will change your life and the lives of those with whom you share it."
--Marc Bekoff, author of The Emotional Lives of Animals, Animals Matter, Animals at Play: Rules of the Game, and Wild Justice: Reflections on Empathy, Fair Play, and Morality in Animals and editor of The Encyclopedia of Human-Animal Relationships (http://literati.net/Bekoff)

"This book is a tribute to the fact that many of our most effective doctors, nurses, therapists, police officers, emotional counselors, rescue workers, and spiritual teachers have four legs instead of two."
 --Amelia Kinkade, author of Straight from the Horse's Mouth: How to Talk to Animals and Get Answers and The Language of Miracles

“Allen and Linda Anderson have gathered charming tales of canine love and loyalty that will remind readers why Fido’s name means faith.”
--Gary Kowalski, author of The Souls of Animals and Goodbye Friend

"The 10th book by Linda and Allen Anderson, founders of the Angel Animals Network (www.angelanimals.net), Angel Dogs with a Mission: Divine Messengers in Service to All Life, collects true stories of the achievements of working dogs."
--By Dick Donahue, Publishers Weekly, 9/1/2008