To my husband, Jason Hewitt, for being the love of my life twenty years ago, for keeping the box, the ring, and key to my heart all that time, and for giving me a second chance so many years later as we created this book together. You are my peace.

To my manager, Emily Miller, for being the most valuable and enthusiastic right hand a business owner could ever ask for, and an exceptional and hilarious friend I am fortunate enough to work with every day. You are my irreplaceable porcelain.

To my clients, who have opened their lives, stories, and hearts to me for seventeen years and shared with me your honest challenges, questions, hopes, successes, failures, and love for your dogs. You are my inspiration.

To the dogs who have opened my eyes to the truth of their experiences, trusted me, and allowed me to work with them as a mediator and friend. You are my teachers.

To my colleagues and friends who have spent moments or hours with me in conversation exchanging ideas with curiosity and excitement, determined to ask the hardest questions and tackle difficult goals for the betterment of animals and people. You are my community.

To Don Livingston, for believing in me and the vision of LEGS, and making it all possible with your tremendous generosity. You were the fuel.

To Ray Coppinger, for being honest about dogs, for believing in my efforts to bring the sciences together for dog owners, for writing the foreword to this book, and for your good humor and friendship. You were the match.

To the scientists and researchers, for all of your incredible dedication, hard work, and discoveries upon which this project has been built. You were my ingredients.

To Kris Dahl and ICM, for taking a chance on a first-time author and embracing the vision of this book. You were the door.

To Pippa White and Chronicle Books, for recognizing the importance of this project and for the creativity and insights you have brought the process. You were the vehicle.

To the many animal companions I have had the honor to share my life with over the years, for showing me the things no person could show me, for sharing love with me no person could give, for taking me to all of those wild places, and leading me forward towards the next questions and answers. You are the simple miracles behind it all.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR