Must Love Dogs

<p><em><strong>USA Today Bestselling author Andrea Smith gives you her debut YA/Teen novel. A heartwarming story of coping with loss.</strong></em><br><br>My name is Victoria Howard and when Mom died just shy of my tenth birthday nothing could have prepared me for the pain of dealing with my loss.<br><br>Imagine my surprise when just a few weeks later on my tenth birthday Mom had planned a special gift to be delivered to me. A puppy named Sir Percival Howard. A Chinese Pug. As if he could ever replace my Mom! I was angry with my mother. So angry I was determined not to let Percy into my heart. He wasn't a substitute to make me forget my loss. As hard as I tried to ignore this pesky puppy he just didn't get the hint.<br><br>But as time went on something changed maybe I changed. And I came to realize Percy was the one who would see me through those changes. Maybe it was Mom's plan all along to provide me with a companion to help lessen the loneliness and insecurities that come with growing up. Maybe Percy was part of that plan.<br><br>So despite my earlier resolve to reject my puppy I allowed Percy to worm his way into my life and into my heart. My rewards came in ways I could never have expected.</p><p><em>Thanks Mom.</em></p>