The contest is over. YOU chose the HERO DOGS to appear as a featured character in my next thriller, DARE OR DIE. The voting and interest in these wonderful nominees made me decide to feature both the winner and the runner-up cats and dogs in the story. Besides them being featured in the story, the pets’ humans are also named in the acknowledgements, and they receive a paw-tographed print copy of the book.
DARE OR DIE answers a lot of vexing questions about the main character, September Day, and launches her into new adventures. The poll for the HERO CAT character is here.
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I had so many terrific nominations that I had to include a bunch of options. Many folks also sent pictures of their wonderful companions! I truly wish that every dog (and cat) could have a part in the story. Presenting your DOG HERO CHARACTERS!

WINNER Keighley (Airdale): Show dog. Loves family, and protective, very smart. She could open the latch handles on the doors and lie on her side and get the freezer door open to pull out packages of frozen chicken to eat! 52% OF THE VOTE WITH 4,943 VOTES CAST!

RUNNER-UP Max (Kelpie/Lab/GSD): Rescued from hoarder. he had been surrendered from a hoarding situation. I have seen Max take the ball out of a chuckit that was hanging on the wall, or take toys and hide them from his sister. 35% OF THE VOTE WITH 3,336 VOTES CAST!
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Amy Shojai, CABC is a certified cat & dog behavior consultant, a consultant to the pet industry, and the award-winning author of 35+ pet-centric books and Thrillers with Bite! Oh, and she loves bling!
I had many names that I thought were perfect, but the ones that won are really good. I like your cover, too.
Thanks Frank!
The dogs that won and runner up are foo foo dogs. They don’t really DO anything. The dogs that alert their owners of an impending seizure or stroke or something of that order are the REAL HEROS! The winner is pretty. But the actual SAVIORS should have won won!
I agree that service dogs are heroes every day. Readers voted here to honor these “everyday” dogs that are heroes in other ways… making us smile when we hurt, and so many other worthy things. And since the story is fiction, the skills will be made up above and beyond anyway. Thanks for your comment.
That is what I was thinking, Susan. Service dogs really do deserve more recognition and respect than they get, and this is not the only way to do it.