FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Allen or Linda Anderson, angelanimals@aol.com, 952-925-3309

Hero Rescue Dog and Former City Police Officer Inspire Hope by Healing Each Other – “The Most Unusual Dog Book – Ever”

Minneapolis, MN – Best-selling author of a series of books featuring the benefits of pets as family members has written about his miraculous healing with the help of an emotionally scarred adopted dog. His gripping memoir will offer new and unconventional rewards that are beyond the proven health benefits of having a dog, such as exercising more, lowering blood pressure, and decreasing isolation and loneliness.

A Dog Named Leaf: the Hero from Heaven Who Saved My Life is Allen Anderson’s story about the shocking news that he had two potentially fatal health issues – a brain aneurysm, which could rupture at any time, and a blood clot aimed at his heart. A former police officer; his memoir includes pulse-pounding brushes with danger, the realities of bringing home an abandoned shelter dog, startling cross-species communication, prophetic dreams about his condition, and unique perspectives on fulfilling one’s purpose in life. Anderson’s dramatic healing journey synchronizes with the adoption of Leaf, a year-old cocker spaniel, who had turned the Andersons’ home inside out due to a traumatic past. The dual journey of this man and this dog, coming together at exactly the right time, offers valuable insights and hope to anyone who has faced the prospect of losing everything.

“While doing police work in a dangerous area, I came home every night to the gentle comfort of our golden retriever,” Anderson says. “She inspired me to write about how having a spiritual connection with an animal could improve a person’s health in every way. Hopefully the dual journey of our troubled rescue dog Leaf and the miracles in our lives because of it will make people aware of the physical and intangible ways animals heal human hearts.”

In 1996, Allen Anderson and his wife Linda Anderson founded the Angel Animals Network. Their fourteen books about the benefits of pet family members have been featured on Oprah.com, the Today Show, ABC’s Nightly News, BBC Radio, Washington Post, LA Times, Amazon.com’s Hot 100, and B&N’s Top 10. They live in Minneapolis with their dog Leaf, cat Cuddles, and cockatiel Sunshine. Allen Anderson’s 2006 book about animal rescue won the prestigious American Society of Journalists & Authors Outstanding Book Award. He received a commendation by the Governor for his contribution as an author to the state of Minnesota. He teaches writing at the Loft Literary Center and donates a portion of his books’ proceeds to animal welfare.

A Dog Named Leaf ($16.95, ISBN-10: 0762781654, ISBN-13: 978-0762781652), a 224-page paperbackpublished by Lyons Press, an imprint of Rowman & Littlefield Publishing, is at major online book retailers, in bookstores, and at lyonspress.com. For more information and to read an excerpt from the book go to www.adognamedleaf.com. Visit the book’s Facebook page and view photos of Leaf at www.facebook.com/ADOGNAMEDLEAF.

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CONTACT: Allen or Linda Anderson, angelanimals@aol.com, 952-925-3309

The American Society of Journalist and Authors (ASJA) has selected A DOG NAMED LEAF
by Minnesota authors Allen Anderson with Linda Anderson (Globe Pequot/Lyons Press)
as one of the winners of the prestigious 2013 ASJA Awards in the Lifestyle/Memoir category.