Nestor Gomez was sure he had found love with his new girlfriend. The only problem? His girlfriend was still in love with a real dog. No, really—a seventy-pound pitbull mix. And after having been…well, nearly emasculated by a dog that bit him high on the thigh when he was a young boy, Nestor had developed a paralyzing phobia of our four-legged friends. Soon he was faced with a dilemma…could he learn to love the creatures that had aroused in him such terror, or would he lose the love of his life on account of her pet? (To say nothing of all the other little challenges that loom large in life—a hand-me-down-mattress with poky springs, nosy neighbors with belligerent blogs, pesky police, and an evil cat.)

Rescued Me is a lively little memoir from one of Chicago’s greatest live storytellers. It’s a true and touching story about finding the courage to love after you’ve been hurt—literally and figuratively! And it’s a wonderful monument to the growth and change we must find in ourselves if we are to move past our fears and into a bigger and better life.

(A portion of every sale will be donated to local animal charities. Which might give you a little clue as to how the story turns out.)

This discussion edition contains questions and answers throughout the book to facilitate conversation in a classroom setting.