Lance: A Spirit Unbroken

by Walter Stoffel

Overview

Marley meets...Cujo?
A dog down the block is being forced to live outside, at the mercy of abusers, wild animals and brutal weather. The author does nothing-at first. Then, an accidental meeting with Lance, a Border Collie, sets the wheels in motion for a life-saving rescue and a disappointing discovery: Lance turns out to be a semi-feral dog.
During the first twenty-four hours of his liberation, he attacks both the author and his wife, and soon proves to be a threat to anyone he can get his teeth on. His rescuers ask themselves: Do we euthanize the dog we rescued? Making their soul-searching even more difficult is Lance's alter ego; when not threatening, he's getting into all kinds of highly entertaining mischief. Among the many "victims" of his hilarious quirkiness are a State Trooper, the local school bus driver, and a neighborhood drug dealer.
This rollicking and-at times-heart-wrenching, true-life account of the unorthodox rescue of an unorthodox dog has been called "riveting," "spellbinding," and "jaw-dropping." The compelling tale reveals as much about the rescuers as it does the rescued.
Lance: A Spirit Unbroken is a book for any reader looking to have her or his faith in the human race restored.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780986150005
Publisher:	diamond publishing international
Publication date:	08/19/2016
Pages:	244
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.51(d)

About the Author

Walter Stoffel is a freelance writer and publisher who specializes in human interest memoir and fiction. Though having previously participated in multiple dog and cat rescues, nothing prepared him for his life with the title character in Lance: A Spirit Unbroken. The author has a rich work history that currently includes teaching GED and counseling inmates at local correctional facilities. He also has experience as a certified mental health screener. For many years, he lived and worked in various South American countries. Most unique occupation: chipping excess concrete off the undersides of bridges in Virginia. All his coworkers were wearing prison stripes. Mr. Stoffel is a member of the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group, Pennwriters and Barbara's Writing Group, a critiquing association. When not writing, he loves to read, travel, work out, and watch bad movies. The author has a B.A. in psychology and is a credentialed alcoholism and drug counselor. He lives in Canadensis, PA with his wife Clara, their dog Buddy (a rescue) and their cat Winky (another rescue). Personal accomplishment: after having hip replacement surgery, Walter entered a marathon and finished it - dead last. Extra special personal accomplishment: surviving seven years living with the devil dog (Lance). Please visit Walter at www.Lance: A Spirit Unbroken.com, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Table of Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Contents

1. Chance Meeting
2. Outcast
3. Pushing the Envelope
4. Just Walkin’ the Dog
5. First Things First
6. So You Think You Can Dance?
7. Homewrecker
8. Lance Makes a Big Splash
9. Help Me!
10. Dodging Bullets
11. Death Defying
12. Homeward Bound
13. Damaged Goods
14. What is He?
15. Leashing the Beast/Exit Strategy
16. Trying to Tame the Tiger
17. Broadening His Horizons
18. Blunt Force Trauma
19. Aftercare
20. Shell Shock
21. Under House Arrest
22. Life or Death?
23. Petting Protocol
24. Lance-isms
25. Ambushed!
26. Dissing the Don
27. Border Collies Will be Border Collies
28. Hell on Wheels
29. Damning Evidence
30. Protective Custody
31. Devil Dog
32. Back Biter
33. Anna’s Regret
34. Guilt Trip
35. More Lance-isms
36. Lance Goes Batty
37. Beast of Burden
38. The Many Moods of Lance
39. The Truth Hurts
40. A Tale of Two Survivors
41. Even More Lance-isms
42. Lance the Hero
43. Lance the Antihero
44. Bear-ly Escaping
45. Reflections
46. Not Your Typical Dog
47. A Dog Like Any Other
48. Uneasy Riders
49. The Insanity Continues
50. Stream of Consciousness
51. Too Close for Comfort
52. “Border” Patrol
53. Catch and Release
54. (Good to) the Last Bite
55. Nowhere to be Found
56. Afterthoughts on “Nowhere to be Found”
57. Mount Minsi or Bust
58. AKA Lance
59. Senior Citizen
60. Final Days
61. A Special Connection

About the Author

Dedication

Acknowledgements

1. Chance Meeting
2. Outcast
3. Pushing the Envelope
4. Just Walkin’ the Dog
5. First Things First
6. So You Think You Can Dance?
7. Homewrecker
8. Lance Makes a Big Splash
9. Help Me!
10. Dodging Bullets
11. Death Defying
12. Homeward Bound
13. Damaged Goods
14. What is He?
15. Leashing the Beast/Exit Strategy
16. Trying to Tame the Tiger
17. Broadening His Horizons
18. Blunt Force Trauma
19. Aftercare
20. Shell Shock
21. Under House Arrest
22. Life or Death?
23. Petting Protocol
24. Lance-isms
25. Ambushed!
26. Dissing the Don
27. Border Collies Will be Border Collies
28. Hell on Wheels
29. Damning Evidence
30. Protective Custody
31. Devil Dog
32. Back Biter
33. Anna’s Regret
34. Guilt Trip
35. More Lance-isms
36. Lance Goes Batty
37. Beast of Burden
38. The Many Moods of Lance
39. The Truth Hurts
40. A Tale of Two Survivors
41. Even More Lance-isms
42. Lance the Hero
43. Lance the Antihero
44. Bear-ly Escaping
45. Reflections
46. Not Your Typical Dog
47. A Dog Like Any Other
48. Uneasy Riders
49. The Insanity Continues
50. Stream of Consciousness
51. Too Close for Comfort
52. “Border” Patrol
53. Catch and Release
54. (Good to) the Last Bite
55. Nowhere to be Found
56. Afterthoughts on “Nowhere to be Found”
57. Mount Minsi or Bust
58. AKA Lance
59. Senior Citizen
60. Final Days
61. A Special Connection

About the Author

Editorial Reviews

“I have read books about dogs. All sorts of dogs, hero dogs, champion dogs, rescue dogs, working dogs, etc. Fact and fiction. All breeds, mutts and Border Collies. And I've read hundreds of books over the years. But this is the best book about a dog that I have ever read, and it's fact, not fiction. I was gobsmacked at the unbelievable naïveté of Walter and Clara when they took on Lance and their jaw-dropping courage to keep him and love him to a ripe old age in spite of the many "glitches" along the way. If you're going to read a book about a dog, you must read Lance: A Spirit Unbroken by Walter Stoffel. This is a must read, and a book to keep.”—Valerie Rothlisberger-Jones-owner of Bessamour Border Collies-United Kingdom

“Funnier and deeper than Marley and Me.”— Gary Andrews, Professor of psychology, Lehigh County Community College

Lance: A Spirit Unbroken takes readers through the dramatic ups and downs (and unforgettably tumultuous car rides) that result from the improbable rescue of an unwanted dog. In this true life story, Lance, a quirky and an unstable Border Collie, will continually captivate readers as one surprise after another pops out of his bottomless bag of tricks. Mr. Stoffel’s writing is sincere and inviting; readers will feel they're catching up with an old friend as the author describes the unique bond that forms between himself and this troubled but enormously entertaining dog.”— Meghann Ryan, Professor of English literature

“Grabbed me from page one. I was getting tense waiting for the dog to be rescued. Kept yelling at the author Take him, please! Turned out the rescue was only the beginning of the drama. What a story!”—Amy Rudisill

“I just finished reading Lance’s and your book. Thank you for sharing your family story! What an incredible read. What an incredible act of kindness! What a life changing experience for both you and Lance. Your words brought laughs, smiles and tears. Thank you for giving a tortured soul some peace.” — Heather A. Yeremsky MS, LPC, BCPC

“A heartwarming story that is a must-read for animal rescuers, owners and lovers. It highlights how love and determination can help even the most horrendously treated animal. Just in time for the holidays, it makes a perfect gift for every animal lover on your list.”—Beverly Botelho, author

“An amazing story of rescue. A complete page turner and tear jerker. So well written it's as if you feel like you're there as the story unfolds. A true reminder that love can conquer all... with patience and determination... success can happen... even if it's one paw at a time.”—Jennifer Thibodeau- Connectapet New England

“I waited two years for this book to be out in print. Let me tell you, it was well worth the wait. This book was at once, fascinating, educational and so hopeful for those of us who love the more difficult dogs. I saw spirit in both dog and human. In a dog who previously knew only misery, I saw joy. I came to know Walter and Clara so well and they are truly amazing (or is that crazy?). Even though Lance's story has it's beginnings in an abusive/neglectful situation, you won't spend much time feeling too bad. You'll be laughing at Lance's ability to get both himself and Walter into some far out predicaments. You'll also be in awe at the two kind souls who committed their lives to loving this sometimes unlovable canine. Just maybe, it will make people more understanding of the difficult dog and give them the encouragement to make that same commitment that the Stoffels made. I know it did for me :)”—Carolyn Puntoro

"The most beautiful dog story I have ever read…I very highly recommend this book. Waste no further time".—Len Urban

From the Publisher