A Dog Named Leaf: The Hero from Heaven Who Saved My Life

By: Allen Anderson, Linda Anderson

Narrated by: Bob Malos

A big-hearted and undeniably appealing memoir about a man and his dog. After authoring fourteen successful books that tell other people's stories about the human-animal bond, Allen Anderson is ready to tell his own story - a remarkable journey with a highly intuitive but troubled, rescued cocker spaniel who literally saved Allen's life.

Allen, a former police officer who became with his wife Linda, an award-winning animal book author, received shocking news. Although only in his mid-fifties, he had two potentially fatal health issues – a brain aneurysm, which could rupture at any time, and a blood clot aimed at his heart. Leaf, his newly adopted canine family member, proved that at some level he understood and wanted to help with the dire situation.

A Dog Named Leaf: The Hero from Heaven Who Saved My Life includes a strange but true example of animal cognition that leaves readers pondering, "What do dogs really know?" Leaf's empathy went far beyond what scientists believe dogs are capable of knowing and doing.

Although the experiences described in the audiobook are harrowing at times, as Leaf and Allen each face life-threatening situations, their journey ends happily for both of them. Throughout the audiobook, humor cuts through the potential tragedies and lifts the Anderson family's and reader's spirits. By the end of the story, Allen and Leaf have formed a strange, wonderful, mysterious, and spiritual partnership that as one reviewer commented, "transcends the pet book genre by leaps and bounds."

The audiobook takes readers on a dual journey of healing and trust for Allen and Leaf in three segments: "The Journey of Two Souls Begins"; "Nightmares, Battles, and Surrender"; "Uncertain Outcomes: and Transformation and Healing."

• The American Society of Journalist and Authors (ASJA) has selected A Dog Named Leaf as one of the winners of the prestigious 2013 ASJA Awards in the Lifestyle/Memoir category

©2012 Allen Anderson and Linda Anderson (P)2013 Allen Anderson and Linda Anderson

Critic reviews

"I am convinced of Leaf's ability to sense what Allen needed. Readers will feel as if they know Lef, and they'll grow to love him too." (Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, Ph.D., New York Times bestselling author of When Elephants Weep and Dogs Never Lie about Love)

"A dramatic dual journey that explores intangibles of health and healing without attempting to explain them away. This is truly the most unusual dog book - ever." (Dr. Marty Becker, resident veterinarian for The Dr. Oz Show and Good Morning America)

"This book is impossible to put down. Read and share it widely." (Dr. Marc Bekoff, Ph.D, animal cognition expert and author of The Emotional Lives of Animals)

Beautiful Story

I loved the story. I felt he was telling my story. I would recommend this book to everyone.

Thoughtful Look into Our Pet Relationships

Would you listen to A Dog Named Leaf: The Hero from Heaven Who Saved My Life again? Why?

Yes. Anderson's book gave me a new perspective on my relationship with my pets. While mine do not seem as gifted as Leaf, I am now open to the idea of "listening" in a different way to the things our companions have to share with us.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Dog Named Leaf: The Hero from Heaven Who Saved My Life?

I appreciated Allen's vulnerability as he faced a very frightening illness. He shares his struggles with the variety of emotions that send one on a roller coaster when we are not well and how this can impact how we interact with family members, co-workers, and of course, pets.

Have you listened to any of Bob Malos’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Malos is easy to listen to, keeps the story moving with lively narration and does not overshadow the story he is telling. I like how he performed "Leaf" and will be looking for of his narrations.

ok for a feel good story

I did finish it but didn't find it outstanding. But the characters were likeabke enough. I did feel empathy with someone who's dog changes your life.