Gratitude

After the unforeseen death of her mother in 2010, author Laura Steenrod is left feeling grief stricken and vulnerable without the safe haven their relationship provided. Upon arriving home from her mother's funeral, still wearing her newly purchased black pantsuit, Steenrod sits in the middle of her kitchen floor amid copious amounts of dog hair and makes an anguished plea to her pack of dogs. "Please rescue me!" It is in that moment she realizes that she is surrounded by survival experts. Gratitude shares the story of Steenrod's own struggles to manage crippling anxiety and grief with the stories of five remarkable dogs. This shared history of struggle becomes a transformative experience for Steenrod as the dogs demonstrate their capacity for healing, acceptance, and loyalty. The stories of her pack become an inspiring survival guide. "The stories are so heartfelt, so individually remarkable, that the readers will find this short volume hard to put down." (Kirkus Reviews) "An inspiring snapshot of the life of someone who loves animals and will do "just" about anything to protect them. Hard to put down. I highly recommend this book about the woman who started the rescue, Love from Louie." (Andrew DeAngelis, Chairman, TV Guide Magazine) "I recommend this book to all of those who want to recover from life's shocks and setbacks, and to find ways to a fuller life through meaningful contact with others-both people and animals. I loved reading this book!" (Randy Evans, Ph.D., author of Out of the Inferno, A Husbands Passage through Cancerland) "Steenrod is a writer and a teacher whose work and life are meant to inspire others. The stories are raw, real, emotional and filled with Anne Lamott-esqe insight. These words will be a lifeline for others who are trying to reach a higher level, be it of hope, renewal, life, love, redemption. . . . The story is universal and unique." (Wade Rouse, Internationally bestselling author of The Charm Bracelet)