1The Chronicles of Mikey & Me took shape over 10 years in the life of our first family Labrador. From his first days as a puppy to his final moments, he showed himself to be an alpha-male canine. I had to learn how to work with him and shape him into a suitable hunting partner. Or was it he who shaped me? The seminal stories from that time remain fixed in my memory to this day. To bring them back to life now on these pages, will I hope add to the body of knowledge about working and struggling with the character and nature of a supremely gifted canine -who had a very unique temperament. For the true dog enthusiast, I know you'll get it. For those who want to become so, I hope you will come away with a fresh awareness of what it might take to align with your new companion. Rick Stecker began his writing career as a reporter for a daily newspaper. Then came a stint in U.S. Navy public affairs aboard an aircraft carrier. What followed was 25 years in business and corporate communications at both the national and international levels. Rick then used his experience to build Grounds to Grow, a coaching & consulting business reaching small businesses and entrepreneurs. Today he continues to write books on business and content for the internet, and focus his attention on his faith. He and his wife, Sharon, live in north-central Wisconsin; they have three grown children and one grandchild.