Finally Home: Lessons on Life from a Free-Spirited Dog What happens when a spirited, mischievous puppy meets a family determined to love him no matter what? Finally Home tells the heartwarming story of Buddy, a dog whose first year was spent bouncing from home to home—until he found a family willing to understand him, guide him, and fall head-over-heels in love. From swallowing a bottle cap to barging into neighbors’ houses, Buddy’s antics kept his humans on their toes, questioning whether adopting him was the right choice… and yet, he became one of the quirkiest, friendliest, and smartest dogs anyone could ever hope for. This feel-good memoir is filled with laughter, love, and lessons learned, offering hope and inspiration to anyone navigating the ups and downs of training a spirited pup. Buddy’s journey proves that patience, understanding, and a lot of heart can turn even the most challenging beginnings into a story with a happy ending. About the Author: Elizabeth Parker was born and raised on Long Island, NY, where she began her career in writing. She has since authored memoirs, short stories, and horror, bringing heart, humor, and insight to every story she tells. *A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to an animal rescue group. Dear Readers, I've had people tell me that they don't read dog stories, as they get too emotional at the end. I was happy to report that at the time when I wrote Finally Home, Buddy was sitting right next to me. I wanted Finally Home to be the first of its kind in that respect, and it was, as far as I know. It didn't have a sad ending. Like so many readers, I don't like sad endings either. Buddy was there with me the moment I started typing away and there the moment I received my first proof in the mail, and published my book. I had his paw print to autograph my first copy. My goal in writing that book was twofold, or perhaps, threefold. Primarily, he had so many quirks, I knew his story would make people smile-especially those who have owned a dog as rambunctious as Buddy. Secondly, I wanted to donate a portion of the profits to animal rescue. Lastly and perhaps most importantly, I wanted to correct the misconception that shelter dogs or rescue dogs are less adequate than dogs bought from a puppy store or breeder. I think I accomplished that. Although Buddy was a handful when we adopted him, we learned from him, he learned from us, and together, we created a soulful bond that formed our family. Life is all about learning lessons. The first time you try anything on your own, it's a blessing if you succeed. Training Buddy was no different. At first, we thought we'd get our answers out of a training manual, so we read several. If I could think back far enough, I'd bet that Buddy probably chewed through them anyway. No, it's safe to say our lessons were ones that couldn't be learned from a book. They couldn't be learned from any particular trainer. They had to be learned by looking directly at the source, seeing the gentle giant for who he was, realizing that Buddy was an individual with a big heart and his own agenda. Once we understood that, we understood Buddy. As many dog owners will tell you, each dog has its own unique personality. Specific rules don't apply to all. I feel that if just one dog gets saved, then all of the hard work was worth it. After all, you can't put a price tag on a life. Like I said earlier, life is all about learning lessons. Why not learn them from a free-spirited dog? Thanks for reading. Elizabethelizabethparker.webs.com Author of Dog Books and Thrillers! "Bringing awareness about dog adoption and rescue, one dog at a time!" I live in Las Vegas, NV with my husband and two retrievers. I had written my first book about dogs, Finally Home in the early part of 2010. Throughout my years of living with Buddy, our golden retriever, I always wanted to get his stories down on paper. They were just too comical to keep to myself. If you're reading this, then you might as well know, I am a die-hard dog lover and they are my inspiration for writing...especially dog books. I volunteer with a few animal rescue groups throughout Las Vegas when time permits. Though not all of my books are for dog-lovers, most do have a dog making an appearance now and then. I enjoy writing about their antics and incorporate them in a few of my thrillers. In addition, I donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each book to various animal rescue groups. Since 2010, I've written ten books consisting of five dog books, one inspirational book of quotes and four thrillers. You might also want to know that I am an indie author. Yep, I self-publish all of my books, create my own covers and format my own books. It has been a learning experience and after two years, I've learned more and more about the world of publishing. Even through the trial and error stage, it has been a fascinating experience. I've met a wonderful group of creative indi