The Peace Puppy: A Memoir of Caregiving and Canine Solace

Written by Susan Hartzler - Published by McFarland Publishers

With more than 53 million unpaid family caregivers in the U.S. providing an estimated 34 billion hours of care annually, the burden on individuals and families has never been greater—and it continues to grow at an unprecedented rate. Through her new book, The Peace Puppy: A Memoir of Caregiving and Canine Solace, author Susan Hartzler offers readers an intimate look at the emotional, physical, and financial toll of caregiving while highlighting an unexpected source of solace—a rescue dog named Baldwin.

Hartzler’s memoir chronicles her personal experience as she navigates the challenges of overseeing her father’s care in his final years. Through the often overwhelming responsibilities of caregiving, Baldwin, her loyal rescue dog, provides much-needed emotional support, offering moments of comfort, laughter, and unconditional love.

Hartzler masterfully tells her story with heartfelt emotion, wit, and raw honesty, making The Peace Puppy not just touching, but a deeply moving exploration of love, loss, and resilience. Her humor shines through in the most unexpected moments, as readers discover the author’s greatest source of strength, Baldwin—whose presence serves as a lifeline, helping her endure the toughest days and reminding us all of the extraordinary bond between humans and their pets.

"Caregiving can be an incredibly isolating experience for so many," Hartzler explains, "but Baldwin was my lifeline. His presence gave me the strength to keep going, even when the burden felt too heavy."

As the U.S. faces a looming crisis with an aging population and an underfunded long-term care system, The Peace Puppy offers a timely and deeply personal perspective on the complexities of caregiving. This perspective aligns with a growing national conversation on the topic. Actor and producer Bradley Cooper's documentary, Caregiving, set to premiere in 2025, will feature stories from actual caregivers like Hartzler and provide expert commentary. Additionally, the project includes a national engagement campaign highlighting the emotional, physical, and financial struggles that caregivers endure—an experience Hartzler poignantly captures in her book.

The Peace Puppy: a Memoir of Caregiving and Canine Solace is available at McFarland, Amazon, and other leading bookshops. The author’s debut memoir, I’m Not Single, I Have a Dog: Dating Tales From The Bark Side, also published by McFarland, is available at McFarland or Amazon. Hartzler is working with the same publisher on her next title, exploring the world of therapy dogs.

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About the Author
Susan Hartzler is an author, blogger, and advocate for the human-animal bond. Her memoirs focus on the transformative role dogs have played in her life, providing companionship, love, and emotional support. For more information on The Peace Puppy and Hartzler’s other work, please visit SusanHartzler.com.

About the Publisher
McFarland is one of the leading publishers of academic nonfiction in the United States. It has more than 6,000 titles in print and publishes more than 350 new titles annually. For more information, visit the company website.

All images Copyright:  SusanHartzler.com