Anabel & the Butterfly is the first in a series of adventures inspired by our own family dog. We adopted her from the local Dalmatian Rescue Shelter (DRSWV.com) who had fondly dubbed the puppies as their "Dal-Cats" because they were half Dalmatian and half Catahoula Leopard dog. Anabel insisted on being with us as if she had already chosen us to be her new family. A short time after we adopted her, Anabel "met" her first butterfly while we were playing with her in our yard. She appeared to be "talking" to the butterfly as she followed it from flower to flower. Anabel & the Butterfly teaches us about the importance of kindness and awareness of those who may be "different". Come with us as we learn to see the world through a loving dog's eyes and, perhaps, learn something about ourselves as well. A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: My husband, Robert, and I took Anabel on a trial basis from a Foster Family of the DRSWV and fully adopted her into our family later in the summer of that same year. For those who are financially capable of caring for a pet, we urge you to consider adopting an animal from a shelter or foster home. But do your homework… research the breed of animal that you are considering adopting. Contrary to the myth that Dalmatians are high-strung, high-maintenance animals, Dalmatians are wonderful, family dogs with fantastic dispositions that endear themselves to your heart. They only require the same love and exercise that all animals need. Go to DRSWV.com and see for yourself how wonderful these dogs can be. Thank you for sharing our life with Anabel and I hope you will continue to follow her adventures as she grows into an adult dog and helps us all to see the world through our dog's curious yet funloving actions. Katie Martin Thomas