Through Their Eyes: Reflections on joy, loss, and learning

by Nancy Collander

Fourteen dogs. Fourteen life-changing lessons. One unforgettable memoir.

Nancy had always loved dogs, beginning with her childhood pets Muffin and Zipper. But as an adult she realized dogs had come to define her whole world. It started with Müsta, a Labrador retriever puppy that she and her husband, Kevin, welcomed early in their marriage. Then, a chance encounter with a wretched, abandoned mutt opened their hearts to the joy of rescue and adoption, of loving those cast aside.

Each dog thereafter entered Nancy’s life with a purpose. All were mostly mutts, a few purebreds, some young and some near the end of life. And each had something specific to give. More than loyal friends and steadfast companions, dogs became Nancy’s greatest teachers, allowing her to confront personal failures and professional challenges.

This motley cast of characters and the lessons they impart are a testament to the meaning of lifetime commitment, the power of determination, and love and resilience in the face of loss. It all comes to life through the stories of compassionate Müsta; silly Sammi and his laidback sidekick Bear; Nancy’s soulmate, Red; quirky BooBear; king Rosko; and all the rest.

Told with humor and unflinching emotion, Through Their Eyes is a memoir of overriding joy, inevitable heartbreak, self-discovery, and simple wisdom shared without words.

This book is for anyone who enjoyed Stay by Lisa Rimmert, or any books by Teresa Rhyne.

303 pages, Paperback

Published July 31, 2025

About the author

Nancy Collander’s lifetime with animals frames the way she sees the world. Dogs are her teachers, providing her a unique outlook on life and amplifying her wry sense of humor. A lifetime of dog adoption and rescue provides the framework for Nancy’s first book, Through Their Eyes; Reflections on joy, loss, and learning. Twenty-seven years on a small farm in Central Ohio led to Short Notes from a Small Farm, a series of short stories about a city girl’s life in the country. Her short story, Foal Watch, placed first in the Westerville, Ohio, “Celebrate the Arts Writing Contest” in 2021. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Nancy’s creative writing spark was kindled at Ohio Dominican College where she earned her Bachelor of Arts. Nancy now resides in Michigan.

Reviews

[Scot Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nancy Collander championed animal welfare throughout much of her life—and it shows in her memoir, “Through Their Eyes: Reflections on joy, loss, & learning.” Employing first-person voice with an occasional aphorism at just the right moment, the memoir offers heartfelt experiences of Nancy and her husband Kevin in caring for dogs.

With unambiguous purpose, her book chronicles the couple’s appreciation and love for dogs as companions and more importantly, the unconditional love and wisdom they return. Told as a recollection of the couple’s many journeys as pet caretakers, the story begins with actual travels to faraway places, as well as journeys across the lives of their beloved domestic animals—two horses, a few more cats, and many dogs. Further, Collander’s book features numerous adventures of finding joy in each new encounter or rescue of dogs needing a home and how each canine touched their lives in special ways.

In describing their black Labrador Müsta, the author adeptly puts into words the profound love between humans and sentient canines, ordered by mutual compassion and an understanding conveyed through their knowing eyes. Nancy excels at describing how typical outings with their dogs manage to provide an escape from stress of work and life precisely because their dog-outlook views the world through a softer, gentler lens. “Through Their Eyes” should appeal to readers who not only appreciate in-depth stories about dogs, but also relate to the minutiae of details that make each dog endearing and unique.

[Lora Covrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The layout of the book is very inviting. Adorable, actually. If you can get your hands on the physical book, I think you’ll agree that the paw prints across the pages and the photos of each dog the author adopted and cared for help guide the reader along the journey. If you enjoy books such as “Little Big Life” by Dean Koontz (my favorite book) or “Dogtripping: 25 Rescues, 11 Volunteers, and 3 RVs On Our K-9 Cross County Adventure” by David Rosenfelt then you will enjoy this tale of life with canine companions and all the adventure, love, laughter, and tears they bring to enrich our lives.

[Candace · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a special book! I stumbled upon Nancy and her book at a local festival and actually got my book signed! Once I started reading her story, I realized that Nancy was very local to me and actually used to live just a few miles down my road! All of the places she mentioned were so familiar to me and I felt like I journeyed with her through the book. She made all of her special animals come to life through her descriptions and funny stories...I laughed and cried multiple times while reading! If you're an animal lover, this is a must read. Well done, Nancy!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was written with such love, such heart and soul. I felt like I really got to know all the dogs and what, it, inevitably felt like to lose them, as we all have. Thanks Nancy, for putting all your feelings out there for us to appreciate.

[Janet Quante · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through Their Eyes offers a haunting, emotionally charged story of vision, mystery, and hidden truths. The way the narrative shifts perspective makes me feel what the characters see and fear. Some parts are unsettling, but it sticks with me long after reading.