“A warm, engaging, deceptively simple tribute to innate wisdom. May we all learn from such loveable teachers.”
— Dennis Palumbo – screenwriter My Favorite Year, author the Daniel Rinaldi mysteries
“A beautiful, heartfelt, and entertaining book, that gives the reader a deep understanding of the profound relationship between the human psyche and the souls of the other animals with whom we share this planet.”
— Linda Buzzell, co-editor Ecotherapy – Healing with Nature in Mind
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- Cupcake11 asks: How to prepare yourself mentally for a marathon?Hi Cupcake 11 – As a general rule, we pups are sprinters, not long-distance runners. Yes you might have read, or seen the movie, of Lassie Come Home, where an amazing dog travels countless miles to get to her home, but that’s not our usual story. And she was ... read more
- PERFECTION asks: Shirelle what do you think about strong people? Not masculine but strong as a person, who handles problems by themselves. I consider myself one of them. I tend to solve everything by myself, endure pain, adapt and fight. But I heard this quote, strong people will have a lot of damage when they fall or somewhat give up. Or does that depend on the person himself?Hi PERFECTION – Of course I want you as strong as you can be. You’re a terrific person, I know from your letters, so the more you’re able to act on your values, the better the world will be (and the happier you will be). And I ... read more
- Bizarre Mind asks: Recently a German delegation from Bavaria visited our school, and they came to attend some classes, so they also came to my class. We were then told to interact with them in groups. So, I was sorted with a girl. I do not look good, so I am very self-conscious. However, I talked to the Germans in my group very easily, since I happen to support a Bavarian football team. Many of them supported the same team. So I started the conversation with talking to the girl about that team. She knew about it since in Bavaria, there is a large football following. But she just knew basic information and wasn’t a very big fan. So I then talked to her about other things. It turned out that she also liked to watch films on Netflix, like I did. So we talked. And the next day, they came again to attend a period and again we were told to interact. But that day I didn’t talk too much, though still I took her Instagram account info. Then after some days, they left. Now the school got off for Diwali breaks, and I had thoughts about her. So I finally decided to text her. I told her that I missed the Germans, and she said she missed the Indians. Then she asked me if we knew each other, and I reminded her. Then she remembered and we texted. I told her that I might come to Munich next year after my finals, since I am in 10th grade right now. She is also in 10th grade. We both are 15. After I told her about my plan, she asked me to visit their school. I said sure! Shirelle, I really, really like her and I want to be closer to this girl. But, I am not confident because I am not good looking. I really need your help in approaching her. I will really appreciate it and would thank you for the rest of my life. Please help me.Hi Bizarre Mind – How exciting is this! I love the idea of a romance between two completely different cultures – though I’m told both of your countries do make excellent beers! I see two issues here. First, it’s clear that you are more “into” her than she ... read more
- Delhiboy asks: I have a girlfriend. We have not broken up but you can say that we have taken a rest because she was frustrated from some people who were forcing her to break up with me from 8 months, and now we are just friends. She wanted me to focus on my study because I have boards and she is saying she will wait for me 3 months. Her love is true for me, but she has said clearly there is a 50 percent chance that she will get a new boyfriend as time passes, but she will not love him because that feeling comes only for one person and that feeling is for me. When my exams are going to be over she will tell him that she is going to propose to me and she will breakup with that guy and accept my proposal because she wants to marry me only an she only loves me only. So what should I do?Hi Delhiboy – This is one of the most unique questions I’ve ever gotten. If I understand correctly, this girl is in love with you, but wants to give you space to focus on your board exams for the next three months. But she also wants to try ... read more
- Spiky 401 asks: I don’t know how to be confident around the boy I like. I’m confident in many ways, but I’m a nervous wreck around him. Please tell me what to do.Hi Spiky 401 – Fake it! Have you ever seen a little dog take on a big dog like me? They know perfectly well that they would lose a fight in a second, but they come at me, growling and barking, showing their teeth… and usually we big ... read more
- PERFECTION asks: Right now I have this never ending urge, to let this girl I love feel I truly love her, to let her know I am here for her. Sometimes I think am I pushing things too fast. But I can’t stop my feelings from growing and showing my love to her. Is it normal to feel that way? And would it be a good idea if I were to tell her today or someday that “I love her,” or should I just let my actions speak for themselves?Hi PERFECTION – This is one of those issues where we dogs just have to roll our eyes a bit, and remember that we love you humans. Because we just don’t get it! We jump on people and dogs we’ve just met and shower them with love, and let ... read more
- The Mattering of Matter – how to make yourself and others happierIn the letters I’ve gotten over the years, I’ve seen you pack members happy, furious, sad – and occasionally really depressed. Sometimes that’s been for big reasons: a boyfriend broke up with you, a dear friend passed away, you failed at something you’d devoted yourself to. But sometimes it’s been ... read more
- Cielo asks: Is it okay to date a man older than me by 11 years?Hi Cielo – I have two different answers to your question. The first is, in many places, a legal one. At least where I live, it’s actually against the law for someone under eighteen years of age to have any sort of sexual contact with someone that much older ... read more
- Baby girl asks: I’m already engaged to a man, and had a child with him, but I’m really in love with another guy, who doesn’t love me as I do him, though it seems he is not capable to love. Despite the new guy’s promise to love me, to care for me and to marry me in two years, his actions don’t match his sweet words. He used to hurt me often, tells me it’s over between us and then comes back to me for apologies again. He seems to talk without thinking of my emotions. And I don’t think I can live without this guy! Please advise me what can I do to make him love me, and what can I about to the other guy whose daughter I have.Hi Baby girl – So I have to admit, my mind first goes to two people here – this fiancée of yours, and the child you two have. While I’m all for the joys of love, I don’t see you thinking much about how all this will affect them. ... read more
- PERFECTION asks: I read something today, saying “Love is easy when it is with the right person.” Is it always like that? What about crossing oceans just to be with someone you love? Do some things just have to be won over in order to be yours?Hi PERFECTION – Well you KNOW what I’m going to say about that! For us dogs, love is always easy, unless it’s really the very wrong person (say, someone who beats us or starves us). So when we meet that little girl, or that older man with no legs, ... read more
- Danish asks: I am very confused about what to talk with this girl I’m interested in, as sometimes I used to be topic-less and blank when talking with her, and sometimes I don’t text her for 2 to 3 days, and I think this is not good because it is very important to spend time with her (at least talk with her) because already we are long distance. So can you please tell me what to talk about with her because we already know basic stuff about each other. What topics should I bring up next?Hi Danish – This is so much more common a concern than people realize. Yes, there are those folks out there who are just great at conversation, and always come up with interesting topics, but most people are a mixture of shy, nervous, or simply unable to think of ... read more
- inditan asks: I want to ask you about friendships. I have a lot of friends at school (I don’t mean to brag, sorry!), and my social life is pretty much awesome. I have a few best friends that are really close to me. One of them is a girl named S. The problem between us is that she doesn’t talk about her problems often. She’s my only best friend whom I share all my secrets with, she shares hers as well but she doesn’t share her problems with me. And I’m worried that maybe she doesn’t trust me, or maybe it was because something I said to her. I don’t want her to feel alone when dealing with her problems. She’s had anorexia a few years back and that was a serious issue she hasn’t let go of yet. I’m really worried about her Shirelle. what should I do?Hi inditan – Okay, there are two issues here. And I want to get the first one out of the way first. I am no expert on eating disorders. As a dog, I’m always looking for food; but because I’m so active, I’ve never had a weight ... read more
- PERFECTION asks: Do love letters work? I mean do they make a difference somehow?Hi PERFECTION – What a funny question! You’ve written me some WONDERFUL comments, and I’ve told you how happy they make me. So you KNOW love letters work! But I’m guessing you’re meaning a different sort of “work.” When you write me, all you want is to express ... read more
- Ruxar asks: I feel I’m too needy and get upset when my boyfriend makes pointless excuses of not seeing me and it becomes a huge fight. I can’t get over things quickly, so right now, even though we ended the night on a good note, this morning he’s saying he’ll take time to be okay and all that. I just feel scared because last time when my ex fought with me and he said he wanted time, he left me. I can’t eat or sleep right. Am I overthinking or maybe I should just let it be? I feel I’m needy and I want to stop being like this.Hi Ruxar – I always have a problem with people being called “too needy.” I guess I take it personally (if that’s the right word). You see, we dogs are so affectionate, and so loyal, and care so much about how our people are doing and making them ... read more
- Free one asks: My girlfriend is loyal to me but she’s talking very freely with other guys? And I’m feeling very possessive and even having anger problems, so what should I do?Hi Free one – I can really see both sides of this issue. On one hand, if my human friend Handsome comes home and I can smell that he’s been petting other dogs, I find that exciting! I sniff him all over, lick him a lot – he’s just ... read more