About Lessons from Lad: What My Dog Taught Me About Life, Love, Leadership, and Loss by Christine Nicole Ferris
Lad, a rough collie, was a dream come true. Christine had dreamed of owning a rough collie and naming him Lad since she was twelve. Over twenty-five years later she held her Lad for the first time, and she learned to treasure him more than any other animal she had ever owned. But when Lad was unexpectedly snatched away from her fourteen months later, she felt overwhelming grief. Christine says, “Losing Lad wasn’t just the death of a dog, it was the death of a dream.” When she asked God why, two words came softly to her heart . . . Lad lessons.
Right away she began writing down truths life with Lad had taught her. In fifty-two lessons, Christine Ferris shares the lasting legacy Lad left in her heart. While she describes them as a “gift of loss,” the lessons learned from Lad are joyful, heartfelt, and have much wisdom to impart. From the fourteen memorable months Christine Ferris spent with Lad, she shares what she learned about keeping your paws clean, telling yourself no, treasuring today, leaning into discipline, and inevitable loss. This book invites you to let Lad leave a few lasting paw prints on your heart.
“Lessons from Lad offers a unique window, gleaned through Lad’s daily journey, into the everyday triumphs, trials, teachings, and tragedies of life. Each lesson is practical and helpful as we navigate the terrain of life, and we, too, endeavor to point others to Christ.”
—Dr. David B. Smith, Al Smith Ministries
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Author Bio:
Christine Nicole Ferris calls Indiana home. Ten years of participation in the Elkhart County 4-H program cultivated a love for public speaking and canine training, two passions that have shaped her life and career as a canine leadership trainer.
From an early age, Christine’s dogs became one of God’s richest classrooms for developing her character, and they continue to play a significant role in her personal growth on a daily basis. Her walk with Christ has been deepened as aspects of her relationship with God have become more tangible through her work with the many dogs she has owned and trained.
Christine and her husband, David, love to start each day with Bible time, prayer, and a good cup of coffee. Together they team up to teach leadership principles with a canine component and thrive on serving their community in as many ways as possible with their two golden retrievers, Trustee and Trouper, and their rough collie, Lad’s Legend.