This article appeared in the Times News.
A Jim Thorpe author who specializes in dog stories has released two new books.
Susan Bulanda has released, Dogs of Devotion: True Stories of Loyalty, Courage, and the Unbreakable Bond Between Humans and Their Dogs. Bulanda said dogs lift spirits, comfort hearts, guide the lost, and step forward in moments when courage is demanded.
In Dogs of Devotion, Bulanda gathers a remarkable collection of real stories that celebrate the deep connection people share with their dogs. These tales illuminate the intelligence, intuition, humor, and steadfast companionship that define the human – dog relationship.
Families, trainers, young readers, seasoned dog handlers, and anyone who has ever loved a dog will find inspiration in these true accounts. The stories highlight working dogs, heroic dogs, mischievous dogs, and faithful companions whose presence shaped lives for the better.
True stories included in Dogs of Devotion:
- Life and Death – A devoted dog brings quiet courage and unwavering presence to the edge of tragedy.
- Nicholas – A spirited dog transforms a child’s world with loyalty, spark, and unexpected wisdom.
- Nine Inches – A tiny dog proves that heart, grit, and spirit create immense impact.
- Petey – A clever dog turns an ordinary day into an unforgettable act of devotion.
- Stubby – A brave working dog rises to every challenge with fearless enthusiasm.
- The Boy – A dog’s steady companionship shapes a boy’s strength and confidence.
- The Dog Was a Hero – A loyal dog steps forward with bold determination at the moment he is needed most.
- The First Christmas – A dog senses the season’s wonder and brings warmth and joy to a family’s holiday.
- The Mystery of Winter – A dog uncovers the quiet secrets of a winter landscape with instinct and intelligence.
- The River – A dog’s alert senses and quick action protect a life at the river’s edge.
- The Search – A trained dog tracks through rugged terrain with purpose and heart.
- Tippy – A small dog with sharp instincts brings light, comfort, and keen awareness to every moment.
- Queenie – A noble dog meets danger with remarkable poise and steadfast loyalty.
- The Sled Dogs – A determined team of dogs pushes through cold, distance, and difficulty with powerful unity.
- Old Drum – A faithful dog inspires a historic courtroom tribute that honors the bond between humans and dogs.
- U.S. Mail Dog – A dependable dog delivers through storms, distance, and duty with unwavering commitment.
- My Pal – A gifted trick dog helps a young girl discover confidence, resilience, and joy.
- Lost – A heroic dog guides a ranger to two stranded hikers and leads everyone toward safety.
These stories honor every wagging tail, every warm muzzle, every joyful greeting at the door. They remind us that dogs contribute courage in difficult hours, comfort in seasons of uncertainty, and companionship in every moment that matters.
She also released, Where are you Nicholas?
Yvonne Redgis lived a life shaped by grace, discipline, and quiet strength. A gifted dancer in Paris, she built her world through movement and devotion. When war overtook France, she entered the Resistance with conviction and purpose. The cost was immense. Captured, tattooed, and sent to Auschwitz, she endured what no human should endure.
Through it all, one name anchored her: Nicholas, the small French Bulldog she’d left behind. His memory became her lifeline through the darkest hours – proof that somewhere beyond the wire, love still existed and a future waited worth fighting for.
Where Are You, Nicholas? is the true story of a woman’s wartime ordeal, her hard-won freedom, and the unbreakable bond between a dancer and her dog. Built from Yvonne’s own journals, personal accounts, and historical records, this is a story of resistance, survival, and the devotion that makes us human even when the world has lost its humanity.
She has also written The Business of Dog Training, which covers key business principles, including client acquisition, financial management and marketing and Faithful Friends: Holocaust Survivors’ Stories of the Pets who Gave Them Comfort, Suffered Alongside Them & Waited for Their Return.
More about her work can be found at www.sbulanda.com.
