Amigo, the oldest dog on the ranch, isn't doing well, but Abby doesn't want to believe it. Although he is retired, Amigo is more than a service dog, he is her friend. When the unthinkable happens, Abby gives up the thing she loves most: caring for the ranch's dogs. Can Abby find a way to move past her grief and keep Amigo's memory alive forever? At Second Chance Ranch, the Ramirez family cares and works to find homes for all kinds of animals on their 200-acre ranch in Texas. Sisters Natalie (12), Abby (10), and twins Emily and Grace (9) all do their part to help out and give each animal the second chance it deserves.
Jomike Tejido is an author and illustrator of the picture book There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Book. He also illustrated the Pet Charms and My Magical Friends leveled reader series. He has fond memories of horseback riding as a kid and has always loved drawing magical creatures. Jomike lives in Manila with his wife, two daughters, and a chow chow named Oso.
"Abby and her service dog Amigo have been together through good days and bad. But Amigo is getting older; he does not have the energy he used to, and he spends most of his time sleeping. Abby's worries are giving her severe adjustment issues, but her family tries to prepare her for the inevitable. Losing a pet isnt easy, and for Abby, who is on the spectrum, coping will be hard. When Amigo gets sicker, Abby decides to run away with him before her parents can take him away from her. Eventually, Abby discovers how much Amigo was loved and how many people were touched by his life. Occasional black-and-white illustrations compliment the text, adding cues for more visual readers. This entry in the Second Chance Ranch series handles the difficult topics of loss and recovery with gentleness and sensitivity for kids of any background and ability. A definite conversation starter that is ideal for the classroom."
Rosie Camargo, Booklist
"A definite conversation starter that is ideal for the classroom." --Booklist