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The Angel by My Side: The True Story of a Dog Who Saved a Man and a Man Who Saved a Dog
Relates how a golden retriever named Dakota became an invaluable companion for Mike Lingenfelter during his recovery from two serious heart attacks and open heart surgery.
- GenresNonfictionAnimalsMemoir
189 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2002
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86 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
March 3, 2012
It was by chance that I came across this book. I have to honestly say this is the most touching story I have ever read and by far my favorite book. Mike had two heart attacks and a new disability that kept him from living the life he used to. He suffered from depression and lost his will to live. His psychiatrist suggested he get a dog to use as a therapy dog. He rescued a golden retriever named Dakota. Dakota was trained to be a therapy dog and soon became Mike's service dog as well. Dakota had an ability to detect when Mike was going to have an angina attack and alerted him to take medication before it turned into a full-blown heart attack. He started alerting others as well. Dakota became well known for his ability to sense this and for the positive effect he had on everyone around him. Mike continued to take Dakota to places for Animal Assisted Therapy. Mike and Dakota worked with Delta Society to educate the public about the rights of people with disabilities to have service dogs. They quickly became ambassadors for service and therapy dog teams showing the world the power behind the human-animal bond. Through the life and eventually the death of Dakota, Mike learned the bigger purpose of his life and realized the significance of having a guardian angel by his side.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who believes in the healing power of animals. I recommend this book to anyone who believes that some angels walk on four paws.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who believes in the healing power of animals. I recommend this book to anyone who believes that some angels walk on four paws.
January 3, 2009
A dog lovers book. I learned alot about service dogs and their right to do their job in ANY public place. I enjoyed the book, but found it a bit reduntant at times.
Read
January 6, 2021"it's not what you teach your dog, its what you learn from your dog."
"individuals who have mental illness or low self-esteem focus on themselves; animals can help them focus on their environment. rather than thinking and talking about themselves and their problems, they watch and talk to and about the animals."
"animals help by placing the focus on the animals rather than themselves."
"i was understanding how having dakota around was helping me relax and take my mind off whatever the moment might have been bringing me, whether it was pain, stress, or depression. i was too busy tending dakota to spend any time feeling sorry for myself or thinking about suicide."
"a lot of the fun of being with cody was just watching him be a dog, enjoying how he lived in the here-and-now without fretting over the past or worrying about the future. he was living life moment by moment, and he was thankful for every second of it. i loved that about him, and i hoped that i could learn how to be that way too."
"animal assisted therapy has its roots in the very simple fact that animals make our lives better."
"the motivation to interact with an animal was often greater than when one simply responded to a therapist's instructions - this was particularly true with children."
"the success of animal assisted therapy is based on the idea that our animals are nonjudgmental and make great listeners, and they offer unconditional, tail-wagging love."
"my own confidence was slowly returning, and my fears were lessening. i was beginning to feel that i could be useful and independent once again."
"physical therapy can be a long, tedious process, one that's domintated by repetition and pain. it can be difficult to convince the patient to push themselves, to go through all the motions over and over, and have the commitment to persevere. health care professionals will tell you that they find it easier to motivate their patients, especially children, when an animal is present. a physical therapist once told me that having dakota there almost always made things happen immediately for her patients, instead of taking two or three days to accomplish. when he interacted with patients, his tail would wag, he'd plant big wet kisses on their faces, and smiles and laughter would fill the room. it wasnt work for the patient - it was a happy experience."
"i soon realized that i was transferring the energy i'd previously used to worry about myself to getting ready for these visits each week."
"i felt cody's warm body against mind, and i grabbed ahold of him. in spite of the growing pain and my increased heart rate, i sensed his steady breathing. by emulating his calm presence and synchronizing my breathing with his, i was able to control my respiration rate and keep from hyperventilating."
"the popular theory among dog trainers and some medical doctors is that dogs smell an enzyme that the heart sends out in the beginning stages of the (angina) attack. that enzyme signals the brain to send more adrenaline into the system and to open the veins in response. one doctor told me that he thought dakota could actually smell my body's stress - probably in certain hormones or chemicals appearing in my bodys perspiration- before i could even sense it."
"the dog becomes a constant that can be relied upon, regardless of where a person is or whether other people are available to be with the person."
"i was going to kill myself, or my heart was going to do it for me. but then, this wonderful golden retriever with a special gift came along to keep me alive. more than that, he gave me a reason to live."
"they didnt understand the reality of what those with disabilities have to go through every day of our lives - the courage that it takes to step out into public, with or without a service dog."
"cancer is an emotional disease. it steals hope, and once you lose hope, your life is violated and you feel totally out of control." (i thought that could apply to depression stealing hope too).
"Dakota gave me back my freedom, which was something that i'd taken for granted before my disabling illness. he made my life better just by being there for me."
"when we face the diagnosis of cancer in a beloved pet, it is even more difficult, for we must make important and life-changing decisions for creatures that rely totally on our judgments for their well-being."
"changes: support for people and pets - was one of the nation's first pet-loss support programs, offering counseling for individuals and families as they struggled with the reality of cancer in a beloved pet."
"any of us with service dogs - whether we have hidden disabilities or very obvious ones - will tell whoever will listen that we're not interested in confrontations and lawsuits. we only want to be able to live our lives with dignity and to receive the same considerations as everyone else. we dont want to hold up a taxi line or a security point at the airport as we argue for our rights."
"dakota worked hard to bring you back. you have so much in your life now because of him. this kind of talk is not what he would want. you pick yourself up and get going again."
do not stand at my grave and weep:
i am not there, i do not sleep.
i am a thousand winds that blow,
i am the diamond glints on snow.
i am the sunlight on ripened grain,
i am the gentle autumn's rain.
when you awaken in the morning's hush,
i am the swift uplifting rush
of quiety birds in circled flight.
i am the soft stars that shine at night.
do not stand at my grave and cry'
i am not there, i did not die.
- native american prayer
"individuals who have mental illness or low self-esteem focus on themselves; animals can help them focus on their environment. rather than thinking and talking about themselves and their problems, they watch and talk to and about the animals."
"animals help by placing the focus on the animals rather than themselves."
"i was understanding how having dakota around was helping me relax and take my mind off whatever the moment might have been bringing me, whether it was pain, stress, or depression. i was too busy tending dakota to spend any time feeling sorry for myself or thinking about suicide."
"a lot of the fun of being with cody was just watching him be a dog, enjoying how he lived in the here-and-now without fretting over the past or worrying about the future. he was living life moment by moment, and he was thankful for every second of it. i loved that about him, and i hoped that i could learn how to be that way too."
"animal assisted therapy has its roots in the very simple fact that animals make our lives better."
"the motivation to interact with an animal was often greater than when one simply responded to a therapist's instructions - this was particularly true with children."
"the success of animal assisted therapy is based on the idea that our animals are nonjudgmental and make great listeners, and they offer unconditional, tail-wagging love."
"my own confidence was slowly returning, and my fears were lessening. i was beginning to feel that i could be useful and independent once again."
"physical therapy can be a long, tedious process, one that's domintated by repetition and pain. it can be difficult to convince the patient to push themselves, to go through all the motions over and over, and have the commitment to persevere. health care professionals will tell you that they find it easier to motivate their patients, especially children, when an animal is present. a physical therapist once told me that having dakota there almost always made things happen immediately for her patients, instead of taking two or three days to accomplish. when he interacted with patients, his tail would wag, he'd plant big wet kisses on their faces, and smiles and laughter would fill the room. it wasnt work for the patient - it was a happy experience."
"i soon realized that i was transferring the energy i'd previously used to worry about myself to getting ready for these visits each week."
"i felt cody's warm body against mind, and i grabbed ahold of him. in spite of the growing pain and my increased heart rate, i sensed his steady breathing. by emulating his calm presence and synchronizing my breathing with his, i was able to control my respiration rate and keep from hyperventilating."
"the popular theory among dog trainers and some medical doctors is that dogs smell an enzyme that the heart sends out in the beginning stages of the (angina) attack. that enzyme signals the brain to send more adrenaline into the system and to open the veins in response. one doctor told me that he thought dakota could actually smell my body's stress - probably in certain hormones or chemicals appearing in my bodys perspiration- before i could even sense it."
"the dog becomes a constant that can be relied upon, regardless of where a person is or whether other people are available to be with the person."
"i was going to kill myself, or my heart was going to do it for me. but then, this wonderful golden retriever with a special gift came along to keep me alive. more than that, he gave me a reason to live."
"they didnt understand the reality of what those with disabilities have to go through every day of our lives - the courage that it takes to step out into public, with or without a service dog."
"cancer is an emotional disease. it steals hope, and once you lose hope, your life is violated and you feel totally out of control." (i thought that could apply to depression stealing hope too).
"Dakota gave me back my freedom, which was something that i'd taken for granted before my disabling illness. he made my life better just by being there for me."
"when we face the diagnosis of cancer in a beloved pet, it is even more difficult, for we must make important and life-changing decisions for creatures that rely totally on our judgments for their well-being."
"changes: support for people and pets - was one of the nation's first pet-loss support programs, offering counseling for individuals and families as they struggled with the reality of cancer in a beloved pet."
"any of us with service dogs - whether we have hidden disabilities or very obvious ones - will tell whoever will listen that we're not interested in confrontations and lawsuits. we only want to be able to live our lives with dignity and to receive the same considerations as everyone else. we dont want to hold up a taxi line or a security point at the airport as we argue for our rights."
"dakota worked hard to bring you back. you have so much in your life now because of him. this kind of talk is not what he would want. you pick yourself up and get going again."
do not stand at my grave and weep:
i am not there, i do not sleep.
i am a thousand winds that blow,
i am the diamond glints on snow.
i am the sunlight on ripened grain,
i am the gentle autumn's rain.
when you awaken in the morning's hush,
i am the swift uplifting rush
of quiety birds in circled flight.
i am the soft stars that shine at night.
do not stand at my grave and cry'
i am not there, i did not die.
- native american prayer
November 29, 2009
As a volunteer puppy raiser for Canine Companions for Independence I see everyday, how a service dog can change the life of a disabled person. The first half of this book really reinforced my decision to make the sacrifices (or realize the joys) of raising and then giving up a puppy/dog that I have fallen in love with.
I was thrilled when my first puppy, Nasha, was accepted into their hearing dog program. But just before she was to start her training she was diagnosed with a tumor in her spinal column. As luck would have it, Dr. Oliglvie, Dakota's vet in The Angel by My Side, was also Nasha's vet. I cried through the last half of the book as it mirrored my experience in watching a wonderful dog lose her fight to an aggressive cancer. But through Dakota's experience made me realize that my dear Nasha also had a higher purpose after her short life with me.
I was thrilled when my first puppy, Nasha, was accepted into their hearing dog program. But just before she was to start her training she was diagnosed with a tumor in her spinal column. As luck would have it, Dr. Oliglvie, Dakota's vet in The Angel by My Side, was also Nasha's vet. I cried through the last half of the book as it mirrored my experience in watching a wonderful dog lose her fight to an aggressive cancer. But through Dakota's experience made me realize that my dear Nasha also had a higher purpose after her short life with me.
October 8, 2009
A wonderful book about the human-animal bond, The Angel By My Side tells the story of Mike Lingenfelter and his service dog, Dakota. Dakota works for Mike in order to help him predict and treat his severe angina attacks. But, more than that, Dakota is a lovable, hug-able dog that touches lives wherever they go. He works as a therapy dog in nursing homes, schools, and childrens hospitals. Dakota has an uncanny way of understanding human ailments, and communicating with us. His calming presence is reassuring when Mike and his friends and colleagues face scary situations.
If you read this book, have a box of tissues by your side! At the end of the story, I was squeezing my dog and crying into his fur.
If you read this book, have a box of tissues by your side! At the end of the story, I was squeezing my dog and crying into his fur.
April 1, 2008
Anyone who loves dogs, golden retrievers, service dogs, or miraculous happy true stories should read this. This is THE supreme "animal bond" book in my view. And I have read a LOT of animal bond books.
What I learned...it is illegal to bar a service dog from anywhere.
God bless animal angels everywhere!
What I learned...it is illegal to bar a service dog from anywhere.
God bless animal angels everywhere!
September 22, 2013
I love dogs and all that I have learned from them. I never tire hearing of their heroics. This author has written heartfelt words about a dog who saved his life and was his best friend. I appreciate his sharing his story as well as all that he has done to promote service dogs. A big thank you to Mr. Lingenfelter!
September 11, 2016
My 17-yr old cat, Moorea, is dying from cancer. Her oncologist is Dr. Greg Ogilvie.
When Dr. Ogilvie heard about Moorea's amazing work as a pet-therapy volunteer with Love on a Leash, he recommended this book.
It gave me hope and also let me know about another couple who were blessed with an angel in fur, like our Moorea.
When Dr. Ogilvie heard about Moorea's amazing work as a pet-therapy volunteer with Love on a Leash, he recommended this book.
It gave me hope and also let me know about another couple who were blessed with an angel in fur, like our Moorea.
August 27, 2017
At the prompting of my sister I read this book .
If you are a lover of dogs and their magic, loyalty and their unconditional love...then this
is a good read for you . Everyone loved Dakota . I wanted to pet and hug him my self .
It is a great easy informative , pull at your heart strings read .
If you are a lover of dogs and their magic, loyalty and their unconditional love...then this
is a good read for you . Everyone loved Dakota . I wanted to pet and hug him my self .
It is a great easy informative , pull at your heart strings read .
March 7, 2016
I knew dogs were used for diabetes and epilepsy alerts, but this one for angina/heart alerts was amazing. True story. Odd with the psychic readings of the dog spirit, but the alert/assist dog, I believe.
April 27, 2016
A heartwarming and true story of a service dog and angel and the impact he had on many peoples lives. it is very touching as it shows us the power of the human-animal bond. A great book to share with those you love.
July 1, 2016
This was a beautiful book. Of course I cried my eyes out, but it was uplifting at the same time. I learned so much about the relationship between animals and their human's. I highly recommend this book along with a box of Kleenix.
June 15, 2008
You could feel the love this man had for his angel Dakota.
Peace ~ Out
Teresa
Peace ~ Out
Teresa
May 8, 2012
Not my normal genre, but an interesting real life story.
September 19, 2017
Service dogs who anticipate heart problems, anxiety, etc., and the fight to get them accepted as disability helpers.
May 24, 2010
It has been a while since a book made me cry, but this one did it for sure. Dakota, or Cody, came into the author's life at a time of great need for both of them. Lingenfelter had just been treated for life-threatening heart problems and his doctors felt that having a calmer dog in his home than the one he and his wife already adopted, one that he could call his own and devote his attention to would help him divert that attention from the anger he was feeling towards the world as a result of his declining health. Dakota's early life was one of neglect, yet he was a survivor and his calm disposition in spite of his misfortunes brought him into the Lingenfelter's home.
Since Lingenfelter's heart problems kept him from working in the high stress engineering industry which may have contributed to the problem in the first place, he and Dakota had the time to become accredited as a therapy dog and handler team and their experiences take them into nursing homes and schools for special needs students, among other places.
While Dakota might have had a knack as a therapy dog, his true calling was to be a service dog for his owner. As it turns out, Dakota knew when Lingenfelter was about to have an angina attack, and potentially saved his life many times. Eventually, when Lingenfelter becomes comfortable with Dakota's abilities enough to venture back into the workforce, he learns that Dakota is an equal opportunity alerter towards anyone he suspects may be in distress.
What made me cry was the end of the book, where Lingenfelter learns that his beloved service dog will be with him for far too short a time, and he must figure out a future for both of them. In treating Dakota, Lingenfelter consults a 'dog whisperer' and finds out the true story behind the 'angel by his side' and also that Dakota will always be with him in spirit if not in body, going as far as to help Lingenfelter find another dog to become his service dog before Dakota's illness prevented him from being able to assist in training his replacement. I've lost 2 dogs in my lifetime, one of which I considered 'mine', and while my dogs were not service dogs, there is a giant pain when you realize there is nothing more you can do to help them. I can only imagine how the pain escalates when you know the dog has saved your life many times yet you are powerless to return the favor any longer.
All told, an excellent tale of an unconventional service dog who impacted many lives in his short time on Earth, and is now touching the hearts of those who have read his story.
Since Lingenfelter's heart problems kept him from working in the high stress engineering industry which may have contributed to the problem in the first place, he and Dakota had the time to become accredited as a therapy dog and handler team and their experiences take them into nursing homes and schools for special needs students, among other places.
While Dakota might have had a knack as a therapy dog, his true calling was to be a service dog for his owner. As it turns out, Dakota knew when Lingenfelter was about to have an angina attack, and potentially saved his life many times. Eventually, when Lingenfelter becomes comfortable with Dakota's abilities enough to venture back into the workforce, he learns that Dakota is an equal opportunity alerter towards anyone he suspects may be in distress.
What made me cry was the end of the book, where Lingenfelter learns that his beloved service dog will be with him for far too short a time, and he must figure out a future for both of them. In treating Dakota, Lingenfelter consults a 'dog whisperer' and finds out the true story behind the 'angel by his side' and also that Dakota will always be with him in spirit if not in body, going as far as to help Lingenfelter find another dog to become his service dog before Dakota's illness prevented him from being able to assist in training his replacement. I've lost 2 dogs in my lifetime, one of which I considered 'mine', and while my dogs were not service dogs, there is a giant pain when you realize there is nothing more you can do to help them. I can only imagine how the pain escalates when you know the dog has saved your life many times yet you are powerless to return the favor any longer.
All told, an excellent tale of an unconventional service dog who impacted many lives in his short time on Earth, and is now touching the hearts of those who have read his story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2008
The first half of this book was very gripping and emotional, about a fairly young (early 40's) workaholic who has two debilitating heart attacks and is told he cannot continue working. Angina attacks follow and he becomes suicidal. As a result, his doctor, surgeon and therapist push him to get a dog so he will focus more on the pet than himself. The dog is a rescued golden retriever, who's heart also stopped during the treatment for heartworms.
The story goes on to talk about their bond, how the dog begins alerting him before he has angina or heart attacks, and their work taking the dog to hospitals and schools as a service dog.
The end of the book becomes a bit new-agey, which was a bit of a turn-off for me. Otherwise, it was a quite interesting book.
The story goes on to talk about their bond, how the dog begins alerting him before he has angina or heart attacks, and their work taking the dog to hospitals and schools as a service dog.
The end of the book becomes a bit new-agey, which was a bit of a turn-off for me. Otherwise, it was a quite interesting book.
November 19, 2015
This is an interesting book about a man and his service dog. If you love dogs, you will love this book. Dakota, the dog in this story, is loving and intuitive. The importance of service dogs in the lives of a lot of people is stressed.
I would have given the book four stars, but it got into new age ideas such as spirit guides. I can accept that dogs can be spiritual. I would even go along with the ideas that they have souls. I just had a problem with the concept that some angel or spirit took up residence or assumed the form of a dog.
I would have given the book four stars, but it got into new age ideas such as spirit guides. I can accept that dogs can be spiritual. I would even go along with the ideas that they have souls. I just had a problem with the concept that some angel or spirit took up residence or assumed the form of a dog.
November 20, 2016
Heartfelt story of an extraordinary dog. Mike is a work-a-holic, who has heart problems, and Dakota is a dog who enters his life and changes everything. At first she is the motivator to get out of the house and get exercise, but she is so much more when it is discovered she has the ability to detect when he will have an angina attack. All goes well until Dakota herself needs help for her own medical issues. Keep your tissues close at hand...
Interesting story, but it reminded me of an upcoming Hallmark movie of the week.
Interesting story, but it reminded me of an upcoming Hallmark movie of the week.
May 30, 2015
This book was a selection of my book club. I enjoyed it and related to it having owned dogs (and cats) and knowing the strong bond that can grow between humans and pets. The bond here was particularly profound. Although there were sad moments, the book was ultimately uplifting.
September 3, 2015
This enlightened me regarding the use and acceptance of guide dogs so worth the read. Wow, the dog, and others out there like him, is amazing! I would describe it as a book by a normal guy with a great story to share, rather than a great read based on the style of writing.
May 18, 2009
true story about one of those rare dogs who really bonds with, and saves, his human. A 2-tissuebox book -- lovely!
April 16, 2010
Amazing and true story of alert dog.
September 19, 2016
Wonderful read.
June 29, 2011
heart-rending and life-affirming account of the special bond between animals and humans.
March 18, 2012
Good, wonder if the dog really was an angel????
January 15, 2013
The story of a dog who saved a man... Very moving!
February 3, 2015
All animal lovers will enjoy reading this book. Mike was blessed to have such a wonderful dog in his life.
July 8, 2019
I read the paperback.
July 12, 2009
great dog story!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews