Eileen Battersby is the chief literature critic of The Irish Times and is, in the words of John Banville, 'the finest fiction critic we have'. But her first full-length book is not about international literature or the state of the novel. It is about dogs. Two dogs in particular, with the unlikely names of Bilbo and Frodo. She adopted the first from a horrible dog pound, and the second decided he liked her and moved in to join the family. She was in her very early twenties, an intensely serious student and runner who had just moved to Ireland from California. The dogs became her most loyal companions for over twenty years, witnesses to an often difficult human life and more important to her than most other humans. This book is about two animals with personalities, emotions and prejudices. It is unlike any other book ever written about dogs. It is not sentimental or twee. Battersby became intimately involved in the lives of these intelligent, shrewd creatures, and brings them to life with rare passion and insight. She writes honestly and movingly about the reasons why, for certain people - especially women - there is more integrity in the mysterious relationship with a mammal who cannot speak than there is in most of the relationships that human society has to offer.

Have you ever marveled at the wisdom you see in the eyes of a dog? Or at the compassion and patience an old dog will show a puppy? Ordinary Dogs, Extraordinary Friendships shares the positive canine character traits explorer Pam Flowers has observed in her thirty-two years of working with dogs. Eleven spellbinding and valuable stories of wisdom, joy, friendship, concern, loyalty, courage, sadness, and even good judgment fill the pages of this book for middle readers.

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 The truth is, SEALs are not superheroes. They come from all walks of life and from all parts of the country. They are expected to be physically fit, mentally strong, psychologically resilient, smart, and ferociously devoted to the cause. #2 I wanted to be a Navy SEAL when I was young. I couldn’t explain why, but I felt that joining the military would give me access to girls. I wasn’t particularly athletic or skilled in sports, so I didn’t have the background required to join the military. #3 I grew up in a trailer park, and I never felt sorry for myself because I knew I had less than many other kids at school. I was a self-sufficient kid who knew how to work hard. I was proud that I didn’t ask my parents for things they couldn’t afford. #4 Working for my father was not the best experience of my life, but I did not let it affect my performance on the job. I was terrified of heights, but I had to conquer a significant level of fear to do the job well.

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Book Preview: #1 The truth is, SEALs are not superheroes. They come from all walks of life and from all parts of the country. They are expected to be physically fit, mentally strong, psychologically resilient, smart, and ferociously devoted to the cause. #2 I wanted to be a Navy SEAL when I was young. I couldn’t explain why, but I felt that joining the military would give me access to girls. I wasn’t particularly athletic or skilled in sports, so I didn’t have the background required to join the military. #3 I grew up in a trailer park, and I never felt sorry for myself because I knew I had less than many other kids at school. I was a selfsufficient kid who knew how to work hard. I was proud that I didn’t ask my parents for things they couldn’t afford. #4 Working for my father was not the best experience of my life, but I did not let it affect my performance on the job. I was terrified of heights, but I had to conquer a significant level of fear to do the job well.

THE INSTANT NATIONAL BESTSELLER No Ordinary Dog is the powerful true story of a SEAL Team Operator and military dog handler, and the dog that saved his life. Two dozen Navy SEALs descended on Osama bin Laden’s compound in May 2011. After the mission, only one name was made public: Cairo, a Belgian Malinois and military working dog. This is Cairo's story, and that of his handler, Will Chesney, a SEAL Team Operator whose life would be irrevocably tied to Cairo's. Starting in 2008, when Will was introduced to the SEAL canine program, he and Cairo worked side by side, depending on each other for survival on hundreds of critical operations in the war on terrorism. But their bond transcended their service. Then, in 2011, the call came: Pick up your dog and get back to Virginia. Now. What followed were several weeks of training for a secret mission. It soon became clear that this was no ordinary operation. Cairo was among the first members of the U.S. military on the ground in Pakistan as part of Operation Neptune Spear, which resulted in the successful elimination of bin Laden. As Cairo settled into a role as a reliable “spare dog,” Will went back to his job as a DEVGRU operator, until a grenade blast in 2013 left him with a brain injury and PTSD. Unable to participate in further missions, he suffered from crippling migraines, chronic pain, memory issues, and depression. Modern medicine provided only modest relief. Instead, it was up to Cairo to save Will's life once more—and then up to Will to be there when Cairo needed him the most.

This is the story of the amazing Hunter J. Marcus (my “four-legged son”). Hunter lived for 15 years and three months. He was a golden retriever and the typical lifespan for a "golden" is 10-12 years, so he definitely had high mileage. His death was not sudden, violent nor unexpected—but was nonetheless very sad. I could not be more miserable because of the loss of a human child. I never thought of Hunter as a pet, and certainly not as a possession. He was a housemate, playmate, child, co-conspirator, fellow traveler and—most of all—my best buddy. He soared like an eagle, swam like a porpoise, ate like a shark and often thought like a human. Hunter understood dozens of English words and was very obedient—when he chose to be. Golden retrievers are very smart, and very independent. Hunter always knew exactly what he was supposed to do in any situation, and sometimes he was willing to do what he was supposed to do. We rewarded bad behavior because anything a dog does is cute! This book is a memorial, but it's fun, not morbid.