**The New York Times bestselling author of Secret Service Dogs and
Soldier Dogs delivers the incredible, true story of K-9 Marine hero
Lucca, and the handlers who fought alongside her through two bloody wars
in Iraq and Afghanistan.
**
"Maria Goodavage knocks it out of the park in this fast paced, spell
binding page turner" --John W. Pilley, co-author of Chaser:
Unlocking the Genius of the Dog Who Knows a Thousand Words
Maria Goodavage takes readers into the life of Lucca K458, a decorated
and highly skilled military working dog. An extraordinary bond develops
between Lucca and Marine Corps dog handlers Chris Willingham and Juan
Rodriguez, in what would become a legendary 400-mission career. A
specialized search dog, Lucca belongs to an elite group trained to work
off-leash at long distances from her handler to sniff out deadly
explosives. She served alongside both Special Forces and regular
infantry, and became so sought-after that platoons frequently requested
her by name.
Here, in gritty detail, is the gripping account of Lucca's adventures on
and off the battlefields, including tense, lifesaving explosives finds
and rooftop firefights, as well as the bravery of fellow handlers and
dogs they served with. Ultimately we see how the bond between Lucca and
her handlers overcame the endless brutalities of war and the traumas
such violence can inflict.
Top Dog is a portrait of modern warfare with a heartwarming and
inspiring conclusion that will touch dog lovers and the toughest
military readers.
