In this delightful and heartwarming book, America's premier pet columnist, Michael Capuzzo, presents remarkable true stories celebrating the powerful and nurturing bond between people and their dogs.  Drawn from history and literature as well as from dog lovers--both famous and not so famous--from all walks of life all over the world, here are unforgettable tales of hope, heroism, and healing that capture the unflagging nobility of our oldest, dearest, and truly best animal friend.  Inside you'll meet:

Angus, the Labrador retriever who died while his master, a stained-glass artist, was working on the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.--so his master memorialized Angus by working his beloved pet's name into the National Cathedral's stained glass and into cathedral windows up and down the eastern seaboard.

Patches, the collie-malamute of Tacoma, Washington, who rescued his owner from the icy waters of Lake Spanaway, jumping in three times and towing him twenty feet to safety.

Bobby, the young mutt so devoted to his master, he lay on his master's grave for over a decade, until his own death.

Brownie the stray--adopted by an entire street of merchants, he was nobody's dog and everybody's dog, living happily and independently for fifteen years.  His headstone in Daytona Beach says it all: "Brownie 1939-1954.  A good dog."  

Woodie, the stubby little collie-mix who leaped down an eighty-foot cliff, crushing her hip, and remained at the side of her unconscious owner until help arrived.

Inspiring, poignant, filled with laughter and tears, and always entertaining, Our Best Friends is a book whose deeply moving stories will touch your heart and lift your spirits even as they offer you the opportunity to develop a greater appreciation for and understanding of your own best friend.  


From the Hardcover edition.

In this captivating and heartwarming book, America's premier pet columnist, Michael Capuzzo, shares astonishing true tales celebrating the unique and unbreakable relationship between people and their cats. Drawn from history and literature as well as from cat lovers--both famous and not so famous-- from all walks of life all over the world, here are unforgettable tales that take us behind the cool, independent facade of the cat to reveal the sweet, sensitive, devoted creature within. Here are just a few of the cats guaranteed to catch your heart:
Priscilla, who meowed at her apartment door for two days. Finally her owners thought to check on their elderly neighbor and discovered that she had broken her hip and was unable to move.
Pearl and Skittles, the Keystone Cats, who watched over their household with total vigilance. Any problem--a clogged drain in the kitchen, a stereo left on at night--and they sounded the alarm, waking everyone in the house.
Murry, the cat who became the constant companion and protector of a young boy suffering from cystic fibrosis. His devotion was so great that when the boy's health began to fail, Murry seemed to lose his own will to live.
Nicholas, who every day fed the family pit bull; he jumped up on the kitchen table, grabbed a dog bone, and dropped it down to his pal. Later each day, as if to repay Nicholas, the pit bull happily licked the cat's head for ten minutes.
Subway, the beautiful orange tabby who not only survived being shot with a shotgun, but later, apparently killed in an accident, jumped out of the box he was to be buried in and frolicked among the guests at his own funeral.
In "Cat Caught My Heart" you will see cats in all their glory--their unique personalities, their irrepressible spirits, their gentle souls. You'll laugh at their antics, weep at their passing, and thank the heavens that these remarkable creatures are part of our lives.

"From the Hardcover edition."