Sam

'Sam and I crossed the wet, narrow tree trunk that lay across an angry, swollen river. Below, the river raged with water bursting its banks from days of stormy weather and heavy rainfall. I desperately clawed at the trunk of the tree despite its slimy, slipperiness, barely making it on hands and knees to the other side. Sam crossed with sure- footed confidence. Once on the other side, Sam disappeared. I panicked. The old Kudzu vines hanging from every tree and rock only added to my terror. Then I heard a noise and turned right, only to see the vines moving, but it was Sam's head that peered out. Relief spread through my body to my fingertips. Now with a lot more confidence, I got closer and realized the vines were hiding an opening. Sam kept throwing his head backwards, as if to say, "Follow me," which urged me on. I reached into my backpack, pulling out my radio and GPS. I contacted the base letting them know my exact location and current situation. I felt prepared to enter, when suddenly I remembered Matt's famous last words, "Trust your dog."' When ten year-old, Petey, our neighbor's son, disappears on Halloween Eve, Sam and his handler get the call. Sam leads the way to an isolated and hidden cave. Once inside, all communications are cut off. They are all alone in the cave, or are they? Sam sensed the danger first and without a moment's hesitation sprang into action and not a second too soon. Sam is the story of a retired, ten year old Search and Rescue dog. As a pup, Sam was wild and undisciplined. He would escape from his kennel and tear up the neighborhood. He was a free-spirited, country dog, stubborn and with a mind of his own. Sam's journey from outcast rebel to trusting acceptance and heroism will keep young readers wanting to know what happens next. "Sam, Search and Rescue," is a direct result of author Wolf's passion for children, teaching, reading and love of animals. You had only to watch the immediate rapport between Wolf