Everybody Loves Ika: One Woman's Memoir of Her Dog, an American Pit Bull Terrier

Abandoned carelessly by her birth mother, Peggy Mullins grew up in a hellish adoptive home with distant, abusive parents who found every opportunity to damp out the tiny glimmers of happiness she managed to cling to in such a cold environment. After surviving two disastrous marriages, struggling to finally earn her degree in psychology, and starting her own marketing business, Peggy found herself emotionally devastated. Ika, a beautiful Pit Bull Terrier pup, was spared at the last moment from being born into a similarly hellish life - one where dogs were viciously abused for pleasure, sport, and profit. Though his mother and many of his siblings didn't make it out of their gruesome home alive, Ika survived thanks to the skilled and compassionate work of a quick-thinking vet and a few big-hearted volunteers. In time, Ika found his way to Peggy, who would give him a loving, permanent home in which he would thrive. In return, Ika would teach Peggy the kindness, patience, and unconditional love that had long been absent from her life. In addition to Ika, she acquires several horses, all with their own unique and entertaining personalities that she details warmly in these pages. Along with the surprising affection of a special man and a spectacular family of animals, Peggy's book poignantly guides readers through her difficult journey toward healing and peace.