Last Dog on the Hill

The moving story of the author’s adopted Rottweiler mix, Lou, a free-thinking heroic dog who changed his life forever.

“Lou’s story is an emotional and deeply delt tribute to the powerful bond between dogs and humans. Last Dog on the Hill will make you long for that one special superdog that can truly change your life. We should all be so lucky to have a dog like Lou in our world.” —Garth Stein, author of The Art of Racing in the Rain

Born of guard dogs on a secret marijuana farm in Mendicino County, California, Lou truly was one dog in a million. On the winter day that the ailing, tick-infested feral pup was rescued by Steve Duno, neither dog nor man had a clue as to what they were getting into . . .

Last Dog on the Hill tells the story of an indigent young Rottweiler mix who went on to change the lives of hundreds of dogs and people, including the author's, whose career as a pet behaviorist was made possible through Lou's extraordinary intelligence and heart. Lou won the respect of gang members, foiled an armed robbery, caught a rapist, fought coyotes and kidnappers, comforted elderly war veterans and Alzheimer patients in their final days, taught ASL to kids, learned scores of unique behaviors and tricks, amassed a vocabulary of nearly 200 words, and helped rehabilitate hundreds of aggressive dogs, saving them from euthanasia. Lou was also a clown, a consummate performer, and Steve’s best friend for sixteen years. His inspiring story will resonate with anyone who has ever loved a dog.

“Last Dog on the Hill is a wonderful mixture of humor, heartbreak, and high jinks. I couldn’t put it down. Lou will steal your heart.” —Janet Evanovich, New York Times–bestselling author of the Stephanie Plum series