Miracle Dogs of Portugal leads children on a voyage of discovery to 15th century Portugal, with the almost-true story of Henry the Navigator. When Henry was just a boy he summoned his own courage to take a surprising journey where he meets a delightful cast of characters - Milagro the Miracle Dog, Diego the fisherman, a cadre of sea creatures - and discovers his own dream. This almost-true story of historical figure Henry the Navigator and the history of the Portuguese Water Dog is the first in a historical fiction series for children that explains the periods and characters of world history using dogs as the ambassador to learning. The Miracle Dog series is appropriate for ages 5-10. Though the stories are fiction, the historical accuracy and context is designed to give children both the framework and the motivation to seek out more information about the character and the period in which the story is set, while inspiring them to make miracles in their own lives.

78 million dogs live as pets in the USA. These are the lucky ones. Five to seven million companion animals enter shelters every year, and more than half are euthanized due to the lack of space. Miracle Dogs celebrates and honors the rescuers and the dogs whose lives they've saved. It features wonderful stories and photographs of dog rescuers, dog trainers, and rescue organizations such as The Gentle Barn and Tamar Geller's Operation Heroes and Hounds, along with celebrity pet owners such as Chevy Chase, Hoda Kotb, Bob Einstein, Amanda Hearst, Jamie Lynn Siegler, and Lance Bass. Each story includes portraits of the dog and its new family, followed by a concise, compelling narrative detailing the dog's journey to its new home.A professional pet photographer, Liz Stavrinides spends much of her time on projects related to animal rescue. Miracle Dogs was born out of her desire to collect and share the stories of the dogs she's met over the years, showcasing the incredible bravery and compassion of both canines and owners. Readers will be moved by stories like that of Wyatt, an assistance dog who helped a young boy with autism communicate with the outside world, or Fiona, who was found blind and starving and is now in a loving family. All of them have finally found their furever homes. Stavrinides' portraits are heartwarming—a loving and poignant tribute to man's best friend.

"Névoa do milagre...." According to legend, the "miracle fog" appears only when something miraculous is about to happen. One such foggy night, in Salema, Portugal, Agua, a lone Portuguese Water Dog, appears on Natalia's doorstep. Where did he come from? Why was he there? Could he help the little fishing village become prosperous again? Could he help Natalia's Mama get well? Could one mysterious dog really change their lives forever?

As seen on ITV's Britain's Got Talent, where they captured the hearts of the nation, this is Amanda and Miracle's incredible story of survival, love and hope Snatched from the streets of Thailand, loaded onto a truck with hundreds of other stolen dogs and destined for the restaurants of Hanoi, Miracle the dog shouldn’t be alive today. But an incredible rescue led to a fateful meeting with Amanda Leask, a dog lover from Scotland. Devastated by Miracle’s plight and the hopelessness of his situation, she knew she had to do everything in her power to save him. But Amanda could never have imagined that in doing so she was really saving herself... Amanda’s six year-old son Kyle, who was born with cerebral palsy and autism, built a deep and lasting connection with Miracle and their special bond has transformed not only Kyle’s life but that of the entire family. Heartbreaking, inspirational and ultimately life-affirming, this incredible tale is proof that miracles really can happen...

Ziggy was a miracle dog not only because an inoperable and life-threatening tumor miraculously disappeared, but also because of how much his life and behavior taught his owner. This is a true story where the author reflects about the dog, her grief, and how much she has learned spiritually. Excerpt: At The Dog Pound Ziggy Speaks I was always a good boy. Really I was. When Master took me to this big smelly place full of scared and angry dogs and a few cats that I could smell too, and a chicken which stank and would probably be tasty, I thought it was an outing. Except, before Master put me in the car, the children were crying and kept petting me and telling me they loved me. The baby bawled. Master'd never put me in his car before. In fact when I'd pee on the tires, he'd growl at me and turn the hose on me... Christina Speaks When I couldn't stand being without a dog anymore, I went to the dog pound. I wanted a quiet girl dog who'd be good in the house and cuddle a lot. Oh, that doggy prison broke my heart. So many good dogs barking their heads off. And the people who ran the place clearly wanted to find all those little ones and big ones homes. They must have been hopeful when I said I wanted a dog, but their hearts must have dropped when I gave them my specific needs.

Filled with simple yet informative text, fast facts, and colorful photographs, this delightful text approved by the American Canine Association informs readers all about the care of Portuguese water dogs, from housing and exercise to diet and play, encouraging children to become responsible dog owners. In addition, a Note to Parents stresses the importance of spaying or neutering and microchipping pets, a Words to Know section helps young readers learn new vocabulary, and a Read About Dogs section with books and websites provides sources for further exploration of the subject.