Some images from the last couple of months as I’ve traveled the country researching my next book, about dogs and humans.

I helped Randy Grim from Stray Rescue of St. Louis rescue eight puppies from an abandoned house in East St. Louis. (For my previous post about the city, which is one of the poorest and most dangerous in the country, click here.) The mother is feral and wouldn’t let us near her. But the puppies had just learned how to walk, so they weren’t much of a flight risk. It’s a miracle they survived a recent freezing spell in the city. Many other puppies didn’t. Puppies aren’t hard to find homes for, so these kids will go fast. 

 

 

 

 

The abandoned house where we rescued the puppies. We heard one yelping as we walked by.

 

 

 

 

 

The puppies, seconds after they arrive at the vet’s. They’re scared, but they’ll come around. 

 

 

 

 

 

Randy with a pit bull we rescued.

 

 

 

 

 

Me and Gurl, a greyhound/boxer mix we rescued.

 

 

 

The couch in the abandoned house where Gurl spent her nights alone before we rescued her. She spent her days in a park, scavenging for food and trying very hard not to let us near her. Now that she’s in a foster home, she likes being petted. A lot. 

 

 

And now, changing gears completely…

 

 

 

 

Two celebrity dogs (Bella Starlet and a skateboarding boxer bulldog) at a pet industry event in Las Vegas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uga, the University of Georgia mascot, feeling lucky.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carla Meeske, a Shamanic animal communicator, speaking to spirits in a trance about my dog.