A visitor's arrived at my father's house.

He's temperamental, rebellious, ill-behaved,

and in short, making a mess of things.

And no, it's not the dog causing the problems.

Unemployed, estranged from my family and on the verge of a complete breakdown, I agreed to stay with my dad while trying to sort things out.

I wasn't expecting to share the house with an adopted schnauzer.

Just when anger and depression pushed me to the end of my rope, a pestering pooch convinced me to attend a weekly obedience class. The lessons were tough. Awareness, discipline, and most important of all, a willing spirit were needed in order to heel.

I was always a lousy student. Turning my life around under the circumstances would require nothing short of a miracle.

"The Obedience Lessons: An Uncommon Tale of Spiritual Healing" is the touching story of a man, a rather annoying dog, and how they saved each other.