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Lessons from Lad: What My Dog Taught Me About Life, Love, Leadership and Loss
When Christine Ferris unexpectedly had to part with her beloved sixteen-month-old rough collie named Lad, it was the death of a dream. When she asked God why, the answer came with two words: Lad lessons. From her experience in living with a unique and memorable dog, Ferris shares lessons that teach us trust, dealing with trials, learning discipline, and the gifts of pain and loss. Lessons from Lad invites you to let Lad leave a few lasting paw prints on your heart.
$24.99
Product Description
"In Lessons From Lad, Christine Ferris does an excellent job of sharing simple, yet extremely important nuggets of Godly wisdom in an engaging, relatable way. This book will touch the hearts of all who read it…especially those of us who love our dogs!" Todd Gongwer, Best-Selling Author, LEAD…for God’s Sake!
Lessons from Lad is a tender, faith‑filled devotional inspired by the short but unforgettable life of Christine Nicole Ferris’s beloved collie, Lad. Through fifty‑two uplifting stories, Christine weaves Lad’s playful antics and loyal companionship together with timeless truths from Scripture. Each lesson is simple yet profound—reminding us to treasure today, embrace discipline, love deeply, and trust God even through loss. With warmth, honesty, and beautiful photos of Lad, this book invites readers of all ages to discover how God’s love can transform even life’s hardest moments into lasting lessons of hope.
Dog treats for the human soul! Great incentives for all of us to choose wisely and to live honorably! Dr. Lew Sterrett, Author and founder of Sermon On The Mount Inc.
Sometimes the greatest gifts God entrusts to us come packaged in what looks and feels like loss. My hope is that readers will see how even in seasons of heartbreak, God is at work, redeeming pain and revealing blessings we might not expect. Lessons from Lad is a reminder that loss is never wasted when placed in God’s hands—it becomes a gift that shapes our faith, our character, and our perspective on His goodness.
"Christine Ferris writes in such a way that you feel like you are sitting with a close friend, enjoying a cup of coffee together and learning from her beloved collie, Lad. This is the perfect book for dog lovers who desire to grow closer to God while learning lessons from one of His greatest gifts to us—our beautiful dogs. This collection of short stories will work its way into your heart, and the lessons you learn from Lad will stay with you long after you turn the last page." Jennifer Marshall Bleakley, Author
Lad, a rough collie, was a dream come true. Christine had dreamed of owning a rough collie and naming him Lad since she was twelve. Over twenty-five years later she held her Lad for the first time, and she learned to treasure him more than any other animal she had ever owned. But when Lad was unexpectedly snatched away from her fourteen months later, she felt overwhelming grief. Christine says, “Losing Lad wasn’t just the death of a dog, it was the death of a dream.” When she asked God why, two words came softly to her heart . . . Lad lessons.
Right away she began writing down truths life with Lad had taught her. In fifty-two lessons, Christine Ferris shares the lasting legacy Lad left in her heart. While she describes them as a “gift of loss,” the lessons learned from Lad are joyful, heartfelt, and have much wisdom to impart. From the fourteen memorable months Christine Ferris spent with Lad, she shares what she learned about keeping your paws clean, telling yourself no, treasuring today, leaning into discipline, and inevitable loss. This book invites you to let Lad leave a few lasting paw prints on your heart.
Lessons from Lad offers a unique window, gleaned through Lad’s daily journey, into the everyday triumphs, trials, teachings, and tragedies of life. Each lesson is practical and helpful as we navigate the terrain of life, and we, too, endeavor to point others to Christ.
—Dr. David B. Smith
Al Smith Ministries
About the Author
Ten years of participation in the Elkhart County 4-H program cultivated Christine Nicole Ferris’s love for public speaking and canine training, two passions that have shaped her life and career as a canine leadership trainer. The founder of Trustee Training Services, she is a John Maxwell certified trainer, speaker, and coach. She uses her relationship with her golden retriever Trustee and young collie Lad’s Legend to illustrate leadership principles. Christine and her husband David live in north-central Indiana and together teach leadership with a K9 component, investing in their community, public schools, and libraries as K9 therapy teams. 
Sharon Joy Schaubert –
This book was honey for my heart!
In so many ways these “Lessons from Lad” by Christine Nicole Ferris worked their way into my heart, speaking words of comfort, encouragement, joy, and hope. Each heart-warming lesson is a true testament to the indelible mark Lad left on Christine’s life.
Each lesson is accompanied by lovely full-color pictures of Lad throughout his brief yet beautiful life. The 52 lessons are concise, taking about 2-3 minutes to read, making them perfect for even the busiest lifestyle.
Lesson 37, “Life is the Gift,” was just one of my personal favorites. It’s hard to pick just one favorite for every lesson offered profound food for thought and provided a poignant moment for thoughtful conversation or personal reflection.
This book is beautiful in every way, from the outstanding photography to the compelling words, and it’s just too good to keep to myself. I have thoroughly enjoyed gifting it to many others.
I highly recommend “Lessons from Lad” for you or anyone you may have on your gift list.
RJF –
Universal insights about life
Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2024
I must begin by saying that the author’s suggestion in the intro to read one lesson per week through the year won’t work. Once you start, if you’re like me, you will find yourself six or more in before you realize it. The author draws practical insights from her experiences with her collie that impact many, many aspects of daily life. She writes from a personal Christian perspective, however the lessons and applications are universal regardless of your background or beliefs.
This book is very well written and the photography is beautiful. I would recommend this book to everyone.
Joanna Kovalcsik –
In Lessons from Lad, Christine Nicole Ferris writes with the strength and passion that flows from a deep faith tried and proven during moments of joy, loss, and grief. Her heart-warming and encouraging book is filled with practical insights, profound wisdom, and the absolute truths from God’s word that are so pertinent to life. Using a numbered series of lessons, the author shares unique instructive experiences she had with Lad, her Rough Coat Collie. Each thought-provoking tale contains timely, uplifting words that are valuable for all ages. If you’re a dog lover or just someone who loves a good read, you will cherish this book!
Harkner-Abbs Jan –
Beautifully written reflections.