The New York Times bestselling author of Secret Service Dogs and Soldier Dogs delivers the incredible, true story of K-9 Marine hero Lucca, and the handlers who fought alongside her through two bloody wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Maria Goodavage knocks it out of the park in this fast paced, spell binding page turner" --John W. Pilley, co-author of Chaser: Unlocking the Genius of the Dog Who Knows a Thousand Words
Maria Goodavage takes readers into the life of Lucca K458, a decorated and highly skilled military working dog. An extraordinary bond develops between Lucca and Marine Corps dog handlers Chris Willingham and Juan Rodriguez, in what would become a legendary 400-mission career. A specialized search dog, Lucca belongs to an elite group trained to work off-leash at long distances from her handler to sniff out deadly explosives. She served alongside both Special Forces and regular infantry, and became so sought-after that platoons frequently requested her by name.
Here, in gritty detail, is the gripping account of Lucca's adventures on and off the battlefields, including tense, lifesaving explosives finds and rooftop firefights, as well as the bravery of fellow handlers and dogs they served with. Ultimately we see how the bond between Lucca and her handlers overcame the endless brutalities of war and the traumas such violence can inflict.
Top Dog is a portrait of modern warfare with a heartwarming and inspiring conclusion that will touch dog lovers and the toughest military readers.
The New York Times bestselling author of Secret Service Dogs and Soldier Dogs delivers the incredible, true story of K-9 Marine hero Lucca, and the handlers who fought alongside her through two bloody wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Maria Goodavage knocks it out of the park in this fast paced, spell binding page turner" --John W. Pilley, co-author of Chaser: Unlocking the Genius of the Dog Who Knows a Thousand Words
Maria Goodavage takes readers into the life of Lucca K458, a decorated and highly skilled military working dog. An extraordinary bond develops between Lucca and Marine Corps dog handlers Chris Willingham and Juan Rodriguez, in what would become a legendary 400-mission career. A specialized search dog, Lucca belongs to an elite group trained to work off-leash at long distances from her handler to sniff out deadly explosives. She served alongside both Special Forces and regular infantry, and became so sought-after that platoons frequently requested her by name.
Here, in gritty detail, is the gripping account of Lucca's adventures on and off the battlefields, including tense, lifesaving explosives finds and rooftop firefights, as well as the bravery of fellow handlers and dogs they served with. Ultimately we see how the bond between Lucca and her handlers overcame the endless brutalities of war and the traumas such violence can inflict.
Top Dog is a portrait of modern warfare with a heartwarming and inspiring conclusion that will touch dog lovers and the toughest military readers.
Maria Goodavage is a veteran journalist and the New York Times bestselling author of Secret Service Dogs, Top Dog, and Soldier Dogs. She lives in San Francisco with her family and yellow Lab, Gus Kilroy.
"Maria Goodavage knocks it out of the park in this fast paced,
spell binding page turner about Marine Gunner Sergeant
Chris Willingham and his extraordinary canine partner “Mama” Lucca.
Dog lovers are not the only audience that will find Willingham and
Lucca’s relationship enviable while strumming heavily on their
heartstrings. But make no mistake, this book is a hard look at
what war is, what war does and how military dogs are a lifeline
that flies under the radar. It is about human and non-human heroism
defined by integrity, instinct, grit and luck of the draw. With
little time to cement a trusting relationship, the military leans
heavily on the unique social connection we share with dogs, as we
witness soldier and canine bond together in ways that are critical
to survival. The rub is that successful teamwork leaves these duo’s
barbed wired together through trauma and then thrust back into a
world where man and dog will never be able to un-see, un-do or
coherently understand the meaning of what they have experienced. I
am deeply grateful to Chris Willingham and Lucca for their selfless
service, but also for showing us that inter-species respect and
teamwork not only saves lives, it is the way of the
future." —John W. Pilley, emeritus professor of psychology at
Wofford College and best selling co-author of Chaser:
Unlocking the Genius of the Dog Who Knows a Thousand
Words
“I have read nothing that so adroitly weaves together the
relationship between our young warriors and man's best friend, from
Iraq to Afghanistan and then coming home in body, mind and
spirit.”—Marine General James Mattis (Ret.)
“A true war story with a heart as heroic and bold as any account
ever told...It's a new classic, one that will inspire
everyone.”—James Rollins, New York Times bestselling author James
Rollins
“I LOVED Top Dog. With a single glance into Lucca's soulful
knowing eyes, you will fall in love. Heartwarming and heart-rending
until its joyous conclusion, Maria Goodavage brilliantly renders
the growing love and loyalty between Lucca and her handlers—a bond
of such incredible strength it transcends war, distance, and time.
Meet the amazing Lucca, and you will wish she was yours!”
—#1 New York Times bestselling author Robert
Crais
“An eye-opening account of the job these intelligent dogs and their
courageous handlers do...[a] riveting title that is filled with
excitement and heartbreak.”—Library Journal (starred
review)
“An absolutely fascinating and an accurate portrayal of the
importance of military working dogs and their handlers on today's
complex battlefield.”—Army Lieutenant General Rick Lynch (Ret.)
“A masterfully told epic of one of the canine heroes of the wars in
Iraq and Afghanistan. I doubt many readers will finish the book
with a dry eye—this veteran of 28 months in Iraq, for one, could
not. Semper Fi, Lucca.”—Col. (Ret.) Peter Mansoor, author
of Surge: My Journey with General David Petraeus and the
Remaking of the Iraq War
“Written like an adventure, with heart-pounding combat sequences,
high tension, and suspense as well as moments of deep emotion and
bonding, Top Dog is a must read for anyone who appreciates
heroes of both the two-legged and four-legged kind.”—Stanley Coren,
author of The Intelligence of Dogs, How to Speak Dog, and
others
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