In a profound, funny, and beautifully rendered portrait of a beloved companion, bestselling novelist Dean Koontz remembers the golden retriever who changed his life. A retired service dog, Trixie was three when Dean and his wife, Gerda, welcomed her into their home. She was superbly trained, but her greatest gifts couldn’t be taught: her keen intelligence, her innate joy, and an uncanny knack for living in the moment. Whether chasing a tennis ball or protecting those she loved, Trixie gave all she had to everything she did, inspiring Dean and Gerda to trust their instincts and recapture a sense of wonder that will remain with them always. Trixie lived fewer than twelve years; in this wide world, she was a little thing. But in every way that mattered, she lived a big life. “A humorous, poignant portrait of [a] remarkable dog.” — Kirkus Reviews “One dog book that everyone…will deeply enjoy.” — Booklist (starred review) “A delightful read…an unusually effective brief for the joy that dogs bring us.” — The American Spectator “A tender, insightful, loving homage…an inspirational book of love, hope and humor.” —Bookreporter.com