Author Description

How can one young feral dog send so many humans chasing their own tails?<br/><br/>When Barb Bland chose to work with a Labrador Retriever-Border Collie mix at the animal rescue shelter where she volunteered, little did she know she was about to embark on a wild ride in the forests of Washington.<br/><br/>Catching Piki, a sweet-tempered escape artist named after the Pokemon character Pikachu, was only half the battle. Transforming the fearful dog into a confident, house-trained pet was a labor of love that the author often found daunting as well as deeply rewarding. Running Free is the rollicking and inspiring chronicle of Bland’s enduring friendship with Piki, and her humorous account of her on-the-job training is an illuminating study in perseverance and compassion.<br/><br/>In addition to sharing an entertaining story of a sweet but wary dog on the lam, this heartwarming account explores the hard work of love, while illustrating how a person can help a dog that is doomed as a “throwaway” to become a loving family pet. Frequently funny and rich in insight on how to work with rescue dogs, this playful, poignant memoir celebrates how every dog can have his day.