By Mike Rothmiller
There’s something about the pure, joyful chaos of a puppy’s greeting—the frantic tail, the gleaming eyes, the incredibly soft ears, its loving licks on your face as it uncontrollably wiggles in your arms, sweeping away those melancholy days that sometimes encroach on our daily lives. In those moments, laughter emerges from within, and everything feels simple and filled with unconditional love.
Puppies and dogs are the best antidepressant medicine on earth. All a person needs to do is open their heart.
Like so many dog lovers, we have felt the exuberant whirlwind of a puppy’s arrival, followed by years filled with steadfast companionship. Our journey began with Brandy, a Golden Retriever and Chow mix, continued with Kona, a gentle English yellow Lab, and then Coco, a spirited Pomeranian.
When age finally claimed them, our home fell into a hush—the lively echoes of paws and the memory of their playful bark slowly faded into the background.
Although our beloved companions have passed, they remain ever-present in our hearts and thoughts. One afternoon, inspired by the joy and laughter our dogs had brought into our lives, I had a spark of an idea: What if the next book I write was a humorous tale told from a dog’s perspective? An aged, clever canine imparting wisdom to young pups on the fine art of training their humans.
Enthusiastically, I shared the concept with my writing partner, and together we approached our publisher. The response was immediate—our publisher adored the idea. Within a week, the manuscript for Old Dog’s Guide for Pups: Advice and Rules for Human Training was underway with St. Martin’s Publishing.
Looking back on our life with our dogs brought both laughter and a touch of sorrow, yet it was an adventure filled with delight. We never imagined that our book would spark heartfelt letters from these remarkable individuals. The first arrived from President Bill Clinton, just a week after I handed him a copy during a private meeting.
Next, I heard from the legendary actor Charlton Heston, who joked that Old Dog was wiser than I ever could be—which, I must admit, was true. Soon after, President George Bush and Laura sent their greetings, along with a signed photo of their beloved Scottish Terrier, Barney.
The final surprise came from Buckingham Palace, where Queen Elizabeth’s First Lady in Waiting shared that “The Queen loved the book!” When the Queen passed away, Fox 10 Phoenix invited me for an interview to discuss the book and her fondness for it.
After saying goodbye to Kona, we allowed ourselves a period of reflection before welcoming another canine companion. We debated between an English Labrador and a Golden Retriever, uncertain which would be the perfect fit.
That uncertainty faded when Hogan—a gentle, majestic cream English Golden Retriever from our own neighborhood—entered our lives. Hogan’s kind spirit and steadfast presence won us over instantly, convincing us that a Golden Retriever should be our next adventure in companionship.
Hogan became the heart and soul of Old Dog’s Guide for Pups, Volume Two. I wanted to open the book with a photo of Old Dog, and Hogan fit the role perfectly with his wise scholarly expression and professor’s glasses. Over time, Hogan joined me during several television interviews, sharing his gentle wisdom and playful charm with both audiences and reporters.
His warmth and amusing quirks made him a favorite, both in real life and in our stories. Though Hogan was a big, affectionate boy, we were saddened when he said goodbye and crossed over the Rainbow Bridge.
Inspired by Hogan, we knew our next dog had to be a Golden Retriever. Wishing to rescue a pup, we applied to Rescue a Golden of Arizona (RAGS) and were thrilled to be approved. It wasn’t long before we learned a breeder’s pregnant female would be arriving in Arizona. When offered the chance to adopt one of her female puppies, we happily said yes!
Choosing a name for our soon-to-arrive puppy proved challenging. But everything clicked when we met her for the first time—she was six weeks old and adorable beyond belief, as all puppies are. On the drive home, we marveled at the coincidence of her birthday falling on our wedding anniversary.
The name Bella came to us because a week earlier, we dined at our favorite restaurant, Ciao Bella in Prescott Valley. The restaurant celebrated her arrival by posting her photo on Facebook and dubbing her their mascot.
At eight weeks, we brought Bella home. She quickly taught us the ins and outs of her routine; yes, she was now our boss! But it was a joy. As with all pups, she was curious, a quick learner, playful, and enjoyed her three favorite things in life: tummy rubs, eating, and sleeping. Before bringing her home, we made everything puppy-ready, laying artificial turf and removing some plants to create a safe space.
A few months later, we submitted Bella’s photo to the RAGS calendar contest. To our delight, she was crowned Ms. July 2026! Proudly, we shared the calendar with all our fellow dog lovers.
Like every pup that’s graced our lives, Bella has filled our days with happiness, laughter, and her fair share of mischievous antics. Now eighteen months old and a proud graduate of puppy school, she’s patiently guiding us through the art of being attentive doggie parents. We’re convinced she’s secretly studied Old Dog’s Guide—her most recent lessons for us align perfectly with the advice on page 93.
I’ve written several books since Old Dog’s Guide, Volume Two. Inspired by Bella and Hogan, I’m outlining a book based on the loving kindness of Golden Retrievers.
As with both volumes of Old Dog’s Guide, we donate 100% of the profits to dog rescue organizations.
The 2026 Rescue a Golden of Arizona calendar is available on their website.
