When Love Wags a Tail: Inspiring Stories of Love, Loyalty, and Laughter

When Love Wags a Tail offers a heartwarming look at the life-changing impact of rescuing a dog who in turn rescues their person. The therapeutic value of a trauma survivor’s relationship with their dog is something I routinely see in my practice as a licensed professional therapist. With honesty and humor, Carmen Leal, herself a survivor of a traumatic brain injury, weaves her healing journey with her canine companion into a rich tapestry that includes over forty other pet parents. When Love Wags a Tail is an unforgettable, beautifully written gift to dog lovers everywhere. —Angela Miller, Licensed Professional Therapist

I’ve never read a book that so creatively blends together nature and dogs. When Love Wags a Tail is not a gardening book, but with irrepressible spirit, humor, and charm, Leal seamlessly weaves in stories about the meaning of various flowers and shrubs in her yard and shares the parallels between man’s best friend and plants. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the author’s journey and those of the over forty other contributors in this wonderful compilation filled with inspiring stories of love, loyalty, and laughter. — Brian Pribbernow, owner of uBloom, a creative boutique and gift store

You will alternately smile, shed tears, laugh out loud, and be awed by the very personal experiences shared by the author, Carmen Leal, as she writes both her own stories and shares those of many people who have experienced this remarkable connection. You will be warmed within these pages as you read how love literally “wags its tail” and enters your life and your heart. — Carol Vogel, Retired College Professor and Dog Lover

I wholeheartedly recommend When Love Wags a Tail to anyone who has ever experienced the indescribable joy of canine companionship. Carmen Leal’s ability to capture the essence of the human-canine bond with such authenticity and grace is nothing short of mesmerizing. Whether you’re a lifelong dog enthusiast or someone who has yet to discover the magic of a wagging tail, this book serves as a poignant reminder that love knows no bounds. — Stefan Dubiel, Host of ThoughtVolution, a podcast that captures the essence of lived experiences

In 2015 I suffered a severe concussion and a traumatic brain injury after an inattentive driver slammed into us as we sat at a red light. For over two years nothing else I tried took away the pain, the anxiety, or the deep overwhelming sadness; I refused to adopt a dog as my doctor had suggested multiple times.

After we moved to Oshkosh from Honolulu, I went to a shelter and adopted Coconut, the dog who not only saved my life, but gave me a purpose and a way to use a lifetime of experiences and my passion to help small businesses with my marketing expertise. During the four years I volunteered at the rescue shelter, I wrote bios, grants, created events, and other tasks that led to the adoption of 6,500 rescue dogs before, during, and after COVID-19.

I write and speak about rescue dogs to create awareness about how a dog can change everything for the suicidal woman, the autistic child, the veteran with PTSD, and the shut-in senior who has no hope. I write to save dogs who, if euthanized, will not be alive to make a difference for the people who need the unconditional love that only a dog can give.

A portion of every book sold is donated to Second Chance North, an area foster-to-adoption-group so that, together, we can rescue more dogs.