Bestselling Author's New Memoir Challenges Conventional Thinking About Heaven, Miracles and the Heroism of Dogs

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A best-selling author of animal books that explore the invisible connections between people and animals, has written A Dog Named Leaf: the Hero from Heaven Who Saved My Life (Lyons Press, 2012). Allen Anderson's memoir starts with the life-shattering news that he has two potentially fatal health issues – a brain aneurysm, which could rupture at any time, and a blood clot aimed at his heart. His present health dangers interweave with pulse-pounding memories of his past as an Atlanta inner city cop and the possible future he sees in dreams. Anderson and Leaf, his recently adopted and emotionally scarred cocker spaniel, transform into comrades facing battles together. Their dual journey of healing catapults them into experiences typically reserved for science fiction and raises profound questions about unexplored realms of consciousness, the reality of heaven and new frontiers in relationships with animals. The book offers hope to anyone who has felt alone, powerless against fate or who has wanted to find deeper purpose in life. More at www.adognamedleaf.com and www.facebook.com/adognamedleaf.

One reviewer wrote: "This book transcends the pet-animal story genre by leaps and bounds." Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, Ph.D., New York Times best-selling author of When Elephants Weep and Dogs Never Lie about Love says, "Although I am not a religious or spiritual person, the more I read, the more my skepticism melted. I am convinced of Leaf's ability to sense what Allen needed. Readers will feel as if they know Leaf, and they'll grow to love him too."

Anderson's credible accounts of otherworldly visions and end-of-life flashes offer a twist on popular books by medical doctors and scientists whose near-death experiences convinced them that heaven is real. Examples of Leaf's heightened awareness also defy easy explanations. Yet they echo findings of a University of Western Ontario study that documents dogs are extremely good are at figuring out what people need. Also, Goldsmiths College's research on empathy suggests dogs consistently attempt to comfort their owners in distress.

In 1996, Allen Anderson and his wife Linda Anderson founded the Angel Animals Network in Minneapolis. Their fourteen books about the spiritual qualities of animals have been featured on Oprah.com, the Today Show, ABC's Nightly News, BBC Radio, Washington Post, LA Times, Amazon.com's Hot 100, and B&N's Top 10. Allen Anderson's 2006 book about animal rescue won the prestigious American Society of Journalists & Authors Outstanding Book Award. He received a commendation by the Governor for his contribution as an author to the state of Minnesota. He teaches writing at the Loft Literary Center and donates a portion of his books' proceeds to animal welfare.

CONTACT: Allen or Linda Anderson, [email protected], 952-925-3309

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SOURCE Allen Anderson