From Scamp to Champ

Meet Tola, a rambunctious puppy filled with mischief. But with some loving guidance, she'll soon begin training to become the eyes for a blind person. This true story follows Tola's journey from gangly pup to proud assistant dog. From there, you'll read about an officer and his police dog, a fish-and-game warden whose job it is to protect wild animals, a daring rescue of a seal trapped in a fishing net, a pet who helps a gravely ill girl reconnect with the world, and a family who thought they lost a beloved companion during Hurricane Katrina. Along with those inspiring stories, you’ll meet a five legged cat, a duck that lives in a bathtub and a man who surrounds himself with hundreds of snakes. “From Scamp to Champ” contains almost 20 animal stories ranging from the warmhearted to the whimsical. Written with a journalistic approach, the stories are all true. And each one examines the mysterious relationship that exists between human and animal. It's that bond between people and critters that intrigued writer Josh Grossberg most of all. In these short stories, he captures the bonds that men, women and children can share with four-legged creatures. And how sometimes, they even rish their lives to save each other from harm. Not overly sentimental, "From Scamp to Champ" reveals mostly the highs -- but also the lows -- that animals bring with them. In addition to the stories about others, Grossberg writes two memorable experiences he's had with two pets of his own -- one who he had to say goodbye to and another he later welcomed into his life. "From Scamp to Champ" is a great book for adults, children and, of course, animal lovers of all ages.