Essays
Bliss To You
By Trixie Koontz, dog As told to Dean Koontz
Everybody knows Dean Koontz. He is an enormously popular novelist with eleven #1 New York Times bestsellers to his credit. But do you know Trixie? She was the Koontz family’s beloved golden retriever, and she had quite a following of her own. The author of two previous books, Trixie had a megawatt personality that attracted her own loyal contingent as a guest blogger on Dean’s website, signing off each post with the phrase “Life is good, bliss to you.” Sadly, Trixie passed away in 2007. After her death, her blog received 50,000 condolence emails. Clearly, she had touched a chord. And now, inspired by Trixie’s wise and sunny outlook, comes BLISS TO YOU: Trixie’s Guide to a Happy Life (Hyperion; September 16, 2008; $16.95; Hardcover), written by Trixie, as told to Dean Koontz.
Though Trixie is no longer with us, she still has plenty of sage advice to share, and many adoring fans to share it with. Here, in loveable, humorous, and touching language, Trixie talks to Dean from the other side, taking readers through her eight steps to bliss: Calm, Beauty, Fun, Meaning, Others, Humility, Loss, and Gratitude. As Trixie herself says, “You know is true…I am dog, and dog can’t lie.”
A sample of some of the wisdom awaiting readers in BLISS TO YOU:
• The Practical: “When you stop to smell roses, be careful not to inhale bee.”
• The Meaningful: “Is your world. You belong here. No less or more than anyone, you belong.”
• The Requisite Cat Joke: “When throwing party, remember cats can’t hold their liquor.”
• The Uplifting: “Love fun and laughter because you were made for joy.”
The Koontz family adopted Trixie after an injury released her from Canine Companions for Independence (CCI), a non-profit organization that trains dogs to assist people with disabilities. The Koontz family is a major supporter of CCI. In fact, the southwest campus in Oceanside, CA, is named the Gerda, Dean, and Trixie Koontz Campus. The author proceeds from sales of BLISS TO YOU will be donated to CCI.
The number of pet owners and dog lovers in the United States is growing. Approximately 71.1 million U.S. households (63% of the total number) own pets, and surveys estimate the total number of dog owners to be between 43 and 68 million. This book of heartfelt lessons is the perfect holiday gift for all of these pet lovers. Trixie may have passed on, but the way she led her life, the joy she brought to Dean and his entire family, and the wisdom she imparts in BLISS TO YOU is timeless.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Trixie Koontz (1995–2007), a good dog, was trained by Canine Companions for Independence to assist people with disabilities. Released from service because of elbow surgery, she went to live with Dean and Gerda Koontz in southern California. The successful author of three books, Trixie would be proud to know that her royalties are donated to CCI to pay medical bills for other assistance dogs.
BLISS TO YOU
Trixie’s Guide to a Happy Life
By Trixie Koontz, dog— As told to Dean Koontz— Published by Hyperion— Publication Date: September 16, 2008— Hardcover: $16.95— ISBN13: 978-1-4013-2300-4
For press inquiries, please contact: Rachel Durfee: 212-456-0177 or rachel.durfee@abc.com. For more information visit: www.hyperionbooks.com
