Barry Knister

Just Bill Barry Knister

When you help someone else...the one you help most is yourself

Residents of the Donegal Golf and Country Club are very attached to their dogs. They depend on them for companionship and love. Dogs aren't just pets at Donegal, but cherished members of the family.

Bill's a big, affectionate Labrador retriever mutt who is rescued by his owner after escaping a puppy mill. He's a bit of an oddity at Donegal, where most dogs are small and cute and professionally bred. Even so, Bill is friends with all the other dogs and owners.

When Ruby, the granddaughter of Bill's master comes to visit, trouble starts. Ruby is afraid her father will stop loving her because he has a new wife and baby. When this fear leads Ruby to tell a lie, Bill's master is forced to surrender his dog to an animal shelter.

But Bill's love is unconditional--he'll do anything to be reunited with his master. By story's end, this love will lead others to see a simple truth: when you help someone else--a child, or even a dog--the one you help most is yourself.