This true story of Ruuxa the cheetah and his best friend, Raina the Rhodesian Ridgeback, will leave readers moved and forever changed. Ruuxa, born with front legs that grew crooked, and Raina, diagnosed with terminal cancer, have a friendship like no other. They prove that miracles can and do happen when you have a best buddy by your side. This book from San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Press is one of the award-winning Hope & Inspiration Series and received an Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) Benjamin Franklin Gold Award for Young Reader Nonfiction. The three Hope and Inspiration books have been read with tears in my eyes, a tremendous feeling of love, and hope for humanity I have such a sense of amazement as to the strength of the animals in need of help, as well as the unbelievable understanding, compassion, empathy, and LOVE given by not only the San Diego Zoo staff but the other animals who entered their lives to help them heal. Wonderful writing and pictures. Those three books gave me the lift in my soul that I needed. --Marsha Cooper, Denver Colorado These books should be in every library's children's section. These books are perfect for young readers. They should be in every library and elementary school classroom. Bright colors and darling animal photos draw the reader to read and learn about each part of the story. Every book shares a story of overcoming physical issues. Children who need to go to the doctor or a hospital will love each victorious story! Each book includes animal facts and suggestions for how the reader can help the animals featured in the book! What an amazing introduction to nonfiction books for young readers. The books are perfect for young readers but the content and photos even draw in adults. These true stories share victorious and engaging tales about real animals. You can't help but fall in love with these books. Even reluctant readers will love each of these books. Small text boxes and fun photographs make words accessible. I truly love each of these books. They are an amazing introduction of nonfiction books for young readers. --Kris Flynn, retired educator and reading specialist, San Diego County Office of Education and WestEd This true story of Ruuxa the cheetah and his best friend, Raina the Rhodesian ridgeback, will leave readers moved and forever changed. Ruuxa, born with front legs that grew crooked, and Raina, diagnosed with terminal cancer, have a friendship like no other. They prove that miracles can"€"and do"€"happen when you have a best buddy by your side. Cheetah and dog pairs have been animal ambassadors at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park for decades. Naturally cautious of new situations, cheetahs are comforted by their dog buddies, allowing the pair to help their trainers teach humans about the magnificence of cheetahs and how they can be saved in the wild. Raised together as cub and pup, the cheetah and dog become best buddies. Trainers, who work with the duos every day, regularly witness the close bond that the two animals have been able to form. But, there has never been as miraculous a bond as that between Ruuxa the cheetah and his Rhodesian ridgeback pal, Raina. When Georgeanne "George" Irvine was a child, she slept with a dozen stuffed animals on her bed--a lion, two teddy bears, a tiger, a monkey, and more. It was indicative of what was to come: a lifelong career at the San Diego Zoo as a champion for wildlife and conservation as well as an author of two dozen children's books about animals. Photographing and learning about animals in their native habitats are passions for George. Her worldwide adventures have taken her to many of the wildest places on Earth--from the jungles, mountains, and forests of Asia and South America to the savannas of Africa as well as the Outback of Australia. George has devoted more than 40 years of her colorful career to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, where she is director of publishing.