No Buddy Left Behind: Bringing U.S. Troops' Dogs and Cats Safely Home From the Combat Zone Read Free Page A

time to distance ourselves from the story, Terri and I would need feedback from qualified readers. Andrea rounded up a team of the best reader-critics a writer could hope to work with.
    Freely giving their time, these fine authors and editors read the first and second drafts of many chapters. They commented on anything that needed attention, made excellent suggestions for material to include, and encouraged us by their keen interest in the stories. I cannot thank them enough for their hours of intense concentration and great feedback: Katie Flanagan, Brandon LaFave, Audrey Mackaman, Sarah Martinez, and Vickie Motter. What a great team indeed.
    Holly Rubino of Lyons Press deserves mention for her wonderful work as editor. She is the person who read the completed manuscript and gave us the benefit of her professional know-how. While Holly held the much-feared red pen in her hand, she wielded that pen with respect and skill. She took a good story that rippled over stones and split course at times, and she made it flow strong like a river that knows exactly where it's going. Holly also worked with Lyons Press designers to come up with a cover that we were proud of. Listening to feedback from Terri, Andrea, and me, she worked hard to make sure that the cover honestly represents the bravery and selflessness depicted in this book. Thank you, Holly.

    Turning a manuscript into a published book requires a series of steps that involve more editors and support people than most readers would ever imagine. Writers often dread the scenario of too many cooks spoiling the stew and they pray it won't happen to their precious tome. Terri and I feel so lucky that our manuscript went through the capable hands of Lyons Press editors and designers and onto the desk of Meredith Dias, project editor at Globe Pequot Press. Their combined professional handling of our labor of love and their personal attention to detail has resulted in the book you now hold in your hands or see on your screen. If Terri and I were the parents of this baby, then they were the doctors and nurses who delivered it, and made sure everything went as planned. To all of them we give an enthusiastic "thumbs up."
    For supporting me through six months of a writing schedule that started at dawn and often stretched long into the night seven days a week, I have to thank my sweetheart and my rock, Rich Eldredge. The number of times he came home from work to find empty cupboards and uncooked dinners and never complained but instead kept me laughing is worth mentioning here. Rich washed the dishes, did the shopping and laundry, cooked suppers, and took me out for many a meal after long days of running his own demanding business so that I could finish another chapter. My sweetheart could not have been a better partner and friend.
    Last of all, thanks go to Jody and Mike Jones of Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary in Elverta, California. Their dedication to rescuing over eight hundred golden retrievers a year brought me my foster "old golden" and best buddy, Cherokee. While I was in Iraq helping Terri bring home more soldiers' animals and observing the final stages of Operation Baghdad Pups rescues, Jody and Mike took care of Cherokee at their home.

    Throughout the long hours and days of the last six months, Cherokee sacrificed a lot of playtime, she leaned against me when sad-story tears ran down my cheeks, and she made me go out for three walks a day, refreshing my brain with much-needed oxygen. With Cherokee constantly by my side, writing about the stray dogs of Iraq always seemed that much closer to home. Somewhere in the pages of this book, I'm sure her gentle spirit has left its paw print.
    Cynthia Hurn

     

SGT Eddie Watson and his inseparable buddy, Charlie Eddie Watson
    hen night was setting in, and the last unit of the 82nd Squadron hadn't returned from patrol duty, it was hard not to imagine the worst. SGT Eddie Watson was stationed at the guard desk, knowing