{"product_id":"top-dog-top-dog-the-story-of-marine-hero-lucca-9780451467102","title":"Top Dog: Top Dog: The Story of Marine Hero Lucca","description":"\u003cb\u003eThe \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eSecret Service Dogs\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eSoldier Dogs \u003c\/i\u003edelivers the incredible, true story of K-9 Marine hero Lucca, and the handlers who fought alongside her through two bloody wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Maria Goodavage knocks it out of the park in this fast paced, spell binding page turner\" \u003cb\u003e--John W. Pilley, co-author of \u003ci\u003eChaser: \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eUnlocking the Genius of the Dog Who Knows a Thousand Words\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Maria Goodavage takes readers into the life of Lucca K458, a decorated and highly skilled military working dog. An extraordinary bond develops between Lucca and Marine Corps dog handlers Chris Willingham and Juan Rodriguez, in what would become a legendary 400-mission career. A specialized search dog, Lucca belongs to an elite group trained to work off-leash at long distances from her handler to sniff out deadly explosives. She served alongside both Special Forces and regular infantry, and became so sought-after that platoons frequently requested her by name. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Here, in gritty detail, is the gripping account of Lucca's adventures on and off the battlefields, including tense, lifesaving explosives finds and rooftop firefights, as well as the bravery of fellow handlers and dogs they served with. Ultimately we see how the bond between Lucca and her handlers overcame the endless brutalities of war and the traumas such violence can inflict. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ci\u003eTop Dog\u003c\/i\u003e is a portrait of modern warfare with a heartwarming and inspiring conclusion that will touch dog lovers and the toughest military readers.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eMaria Goodavage \u003c\/b\u003eis a veteran journalist and the \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eSecret Service Dogs\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eTop Dog\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eSoldier Dogs\u003c\/i\u003e. She lives in San Francisco with her family and yellow Lab, Gus Kilroy.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Penguin Adult Hc\/Tr","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51201177682194,"sku":"9780451467102","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_38c98192-4b3b-4a15-ba4a-69b27b133523.jpg?v=1744908252","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/top-dog-top-dog-the-story-of-marine-hero-lucca-9780451467102","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}