Gimme Shelter

"It's The Sopranos meets Marley & Me when a volatile, chronically ticked-off writer struggles to help an abused, timid, big-hearted shelter dog. When the last of their aged 4-legged animal "kids" passes away, Lou Spirito and his wife go looking for a rescue dog. Although he insists that he's open to any dog in need, Lou secretly longs for a dog like Rebel, the rollicking Irish Setter that shared his world when he was a struggling actor living the vida loca of sex, drugs, & disco in the wonderland of New York City. He longs for a jaunty dog to transport him back to the carefree days before mortgages, life insurance and missed opportunities ... the last thing on his wish list is a frightened, muscle-bound, scarred, and carsick Pit Bull. In contrast to his fun-loving predecessor, Tanner is an emotional Geiger counter. He cowers at strange objects, flinches at loud noises, and vomits whenever he is stressed - which is most of the time. And why shouldn't he? His immature new owner, Lou, is a raging bull! Having honed anger to an art form over his lifetime, Lou constantly storms and curses at the slightest provocation–misplaced keys, computer glitches, even mayo on a turkey sandwich (don't ask). Unlike Marley and John Grogan, Lou's is a case of 'good' dog vs. 'bad' owner. For this odd couple to flourish, one of them will have to change. And fast. Thankfully for the writer, the dog wins out. It isn't easy. It isn't always pretty."–Back cover