USA Today Bestselling author Andrea Smith gives you her debut YA/Teen novel. A heartwarming story of coping with loss.

My name is Victoria Howard and when Mom died just shy of my tenth birthday, nothing could have prepared me for the pain of dealing with my loss.

Imagine my surprise when just a few weeks later, on my tenth birthday, Mom had planned a special gift to be delivered to me. A puppy named Sir Percival Howard. A Chinese Pug. As if he could ever replace my Mom! I was angry with my mother. So angry I was determined not to let Percy into my heart. He wasn't a substitute to make me forget my loss. As hard as I tried to ignore this pesky puppy, he just didn't get the hint.

But as time went on, something changed, maybe I changed. And I came to realize Percy was the one who would see me through those changes. Maybe it was Mom's plan all along to provide me with a companion to help lessen the loneliness and insecurities that come with growing up. Maybe Percy was part of that plan.

So, despite my earlier resolve to reject my puppy, I allowed Percy to worm his way into my life, and into my heart. My rewards came in ways I could never have expected.

Thanks Mom.