From the foreword by Marc Bekoff, author of many books about animals and their rights and co-founder, with Dr. Jane Goodall, of Ethologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals/Citizens for Responsible Animal Behavior Studies, to the final word by Alexis (Alexis, the Living End), your emotions will run the gamut as you read this book. Although, like me, you probably will read the book cover-to-cover, in one sitting, you'll find yourself picking up the book at odd times of the day, or just when you need a lift, to reread favorite pieces.

Readers who are involved with animal welfare will probably be familiar with many of Jim Willis' writings. The Animals' Savior has become an icon of strength to many people involved with shelter work. Those same people will echo the thoughts expressed in the poignant How Could You? which was written from the voice of a faithful old dog cast away by her owner in favor of a new love. This particular "piece" has rapidly become a classic, and has been published on the Internet in at least 20 languages. Radio disk jockeys have literally stopped traffic with the reading of this piece, as tearful drivers pulled to the side of the road to listen. A benefactor in Grand Rapids, Michigan paid his local newspaper $7,000 to publish this piece in a full page display because he believed so strongly in its message.

"Pieces of My Heart" is a compilation of prose, poetry, and essays written by Willis over a period of years.

Don't expect the book to be all about sadness and tears, though. You'll find plenty of chuckle material along the way, and some of the stories in The Basset Chronicles are worthy of deep belly-laughs. You'll find yourself falling in love with Alexis, the smart-mouthed Basset who rules the roost in the Willis family. She always has the last word, literally, and Jim has portrayed her personality to perfection by giving her voice.

Jim is particularly adept at imbuing fiction with living, breathing characters, all the while reminding us of the deep influence animals can have on even the hardest heart. You will meet Mae, the irascible heroine of Half Again as Much, who inadvertently turns matchmaker while helping her grandson find his legs. The Zen of Cat reminds us of all the lessons cats can teach us about life and death.

"Mostly they are the things we are made of. Not just things that you can see, but also things you can feel. Like when a parade passes by and you can feel the drums in your stomach and your toes won't keep still. The way music can make a tingle down the back of your neck. The way the air smells when the leaves begin to fall and the different way it smells when the flowers are blooming, or after it rains.

"The way you feel when you help somebody because you want to, and not because you have to. The way the sun makes someone's hair shine. The different sounds of people's laughter - some in little hiccups, some like bells tinkling, some like big bursts from their bellies!"

This book is one of the most treasured on my bookshelf, and I think you'll feel the same way about it. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves life in all its colorful cloaks, and particularly to those who love animals.

About the Author
Jim Willis is a writer, artist, and animal advocate. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and has lived much of his adult life in Europe. In 1990, he and his wife, Nicole Valentin, founded and personally funded a multi-species, all-breed rescue, placement, education and advocacy effort, now The Tiergarten Sanctuary Trust. They have adopted and share their lives with over three dozen rescued animals. Jim is a member of the American Sanctuary Association and the African Conservation Foundation, and is a supporter of other efforts for animals and the environment. His dream is to have a sanctuary with habitat-appropriate facilities for rescued wolves and wolf-hybrids, an expanded adoption program for rescued companion animals, and education programs that promote the human-animal bond. His wife would like a new vacuum cleaner. They may be contacted at tiergartenjim@yahoo.com.

Sales of "Pieces of My Heart" help further their efforts as well as those of other organizations that sell the book as a fundraiser. Your support is appreciated.