Feel the pawprints on your heart as you read stories of gassy puppies, feral chickens and kittens in overcoats conducting life lessons on friendship and perseverance.

In Animal Vignettes: True Stories of Friendship, award-winning indie author Joy E. Rancatore honors the pets that have made her a better human with their animal companionship. This collection of animal tales celebrates the bond between animals and people with candor, humor, soul and heart.

From her earliest maybe-memory of a kitten in a stroller to the pets flanking her as she drafted these vignettes, the author acknowledges the role animals have played in her emotional development. She recalls the loss of pets, the human-animal bond, comfort with pets, lessons pets teach and funny animal anecdotes. Reminiscent of Reader's Digest essays and James Herriot's country vet books, each narrative showcases the power of faith and the empathy produced from bonds with pets.

Animal Vignettes is founded on gratitude for friendship. The loss of one of the author's dearest friends led to this book's creation as a catalyst for comfort during grief and of connection with others. Because of their heart-core foundation, these tales are best shared with friends-human and animal.

With its relatable and sensory recollections of dogs, cats, fish, chickens, hamsters, ponies, horses and more, Animal Vignettes will inspire readers to reflect on their own transformational moments with animals-furry, feathered or finned.