This is another Helen A. Bemis double-header, two novels in one book: UNDERSTANDING OPAL, OLIVIA’S GREAT DANE, and UNDERSTANDING LUCKY, KATIE’S CELEBRITY POODLE/SHEPHERD MUTT. Opal’s story starts with a bang, as gunshots ring out at the Riverview Animal Shelter. Trouble was sure to follow. First, however, Opal needed a home, a problem solved when dog trainer Olivia fell in love with the Great Dane and brought her home to stay. Opal quickly repaid Olivia’s hospitality by foiling an attempted carjacking by Spook, now released from prison. Detective Martin Morrison investigated the incident. Spook plotted revenge. Opal made it difficult for him. Lucky’s story starts with a different bang, a car crash that leaves her orphaned and lucky to be alive. She is soon placed with high school personnel Norman and Katie as her foster family, and she finds a loving home to protect with her strength and intelligence. Lucky performs a rescue of their autistic child that makes the dog into a local celebrity. That little boy shows an incredible talent. Meanwhile, Riverview is plagued by a con man’s ruses. Helen Bemis has enjoyed working with dogs all her life. She is grateful for the opportunity to help others understand these loving companions. She grew up on a dairy farm in Upper New York State. She obtained a college degree at SUNY Adirondack, earned the Certified Professional Dog Trainer international certification, and has a successful business, K-9 Karing. Helen has published over a dozen novels in her UNDERSTANDING… series. She loves to hear people say, Helen has gone to the dogs.