The Angel by My Side

The True Story of a Dog Who Saved a Man . . . and a Man Who Saved a Dog! Mike Lingenfelter was ready for his life to be over. Two serious heart attacks and open heart surgery had taken away most of the good things that he had in his life. He just didn’t care anymore. His doctors still held out hope for him, however, and they were still trying to find ways to motivate him to get out of the house and exercise. Their vision was that an energetic dog on a leash might do that for Mike. And so it was that this golden retriever named Dakota, who had been rescued from death himself, came to help Mike with his rehabilitative therapy. Their relationship wasn’t supposed to be anything too profound or metaphysical or scientific, but as it turns out, at the other end of the leash was much more than a dog. Dakota gave Mike back his dignity, his pride, and his life. Early on, it became evident to Mike that this wonderful 98-pound, red-haired, four-legged angel had a special gift: Dakota was a spirit guide, and it was Mike’s duty to share him and the power of the human-animal bond. Dakota continually helped make miracles happen, for Mike and for others. But ultimately, as part of that journey, one more miracle was needed, as Dakota fought a courageous and dignified battle for his own life.

About the Authors

Michael Lingenfelter is an accomplished engineer and has worked on a number of very visible and important public construction projects in his 40-year career. He has designed and managed construction of communication systems for airports, mass-transit systems, and other public carriers in Dallas, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Buffalo, and other cities around the world. A member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers and several professional societies, Mike holds 17 patents for his work worldwide. Mike and his wife, Nancy, have four children and seven grandchildren. They reside in Huntsville, Alabama, where Mike works for Parsons Transportation Group, a division of Parsons Engineering.

David Frei is well-known to millions of television viewers as the longtime co-host of USA Network's annual telecast of the popular Westminster Kennel Club dog show. Since 1990, David has co-hosted the Westminster coverage from New York's Madison Square Garden, a live telecast seen by millions of viewers every year. In connection with that role, he has made many appearances on The Today Show (NBC), Good Morning America (ABC), The Early Show (CBS), Charlie Rose (PBS), National Public Radio, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, CNN and more. David also co-hosts the NBC television coverage of The National Dog Show every Thanksgiving Day. A longtime breeder-owner-handler and judge in the world of purebred dogs, he has enjoyed much success with his Afghan Hounds and Brittanys. The most famous was Ch. Stormhill's Who's Zoomin Who, the #1 Afghan in 1989 who retired as the top-winning female in the history of the breed. He has exhibited his Brittanys in conformation and field trials, but is proudest of the fact that his Brittanys, Teigh and Belle, are registered therapy dogs that visit people in hospitals, nursing homes and hospice every week.