She wrote a book about the lessons her late dog taught her. You can meet her in Sturgis.

STURGIS — There will be some emotional moments on Saturday at Lake Area Veterinary Group.

Christine Nicole Ferris, author and canine leadership trainer, will be present for the signing of her book, "Lessons from Lad." It's a heartbreaking tale filled with lessons learned from her dog, a collie named Lad.

There are 52 lessons in the book. Without giving away too much information, the lessons Ferris lays out for readers are very important for communication in relationships, whether it be between people or with pets.

"This was not just the death of a dog, it was the death of a dream," Ferris said on Tuesday morning. "This was the only childhood dream that came true for me, so it was tough."

The book began the day Lad died. Ferris said Lad had become a huge part of her world.

"My hands were empty and my heart was hurting and I was asking God why?" Ferris recalled. "I was weeping and two words just kept coming to me — Lad lessons."

Ferris said she authored five of the lessons that day alone. Now, she has a published book about what Lad taught her through experiences. Dealing with grief and loss are big themes throughout the book.

"The greatest gifts we often receive in life come in the form of loss," Ferris said. "This book wouldn't be here if I didn't have Lad. My understanding of grief is so much greater, some of the greatest gifts we have received have come through the losses we've experienced."

Ferris and Lad became family members in 2020 when Ferris said her dream came true. She looked for a breeder for almost a year and finally found one, having to go all the way to North Carolina to scoop him up. Lad was the only puppy in the litter following an emergency procedure, making the connection with Ferris even more special. They officially made him part of the family on May 16 — her husband David's birthday.

Then, just 14 months later, Ferris and her husband were found trying to pick up the pieces from their journey with Lad. His impact on their lives was both deep and thorough. The book is a tribute to Lad's legacy through those 52 important and impactful lessons Ferris shares.

They will make you smile, they will make you cry. The wide range of emotions and themes throughout the book are crafted in a way for the reader to learn and adapt.

Ferris started Trustee Training Services about a decade ago. She and her husband, along with their golden retrievers Trustee and Trouper and collie Legend, operate the canine leadership training business in Goshen, Indiana. While the canine leadership is important, Ferris said reviews from people they have helped are positive in other ways as well.

"When people come through our training, the most common thing we hear is that all of their relationships are better," Ferris said. "It's very principle-based, so there are principles that apply to every relationship in life, not just dogs."

Saturday's book signing will take place at Lake Area Veterinary Group, located at 25232 U.S. 12 in Sturgis. Signed copies of "Lessons from Lad" will be available for purchase on site. Ferris will be at the clinic from 2-4 p.m. for the book signing, where she will have a meet and greet with those in attendance.

Contact Sports Editor Brandon Watson at bwatson@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as twitter, @BwatsonSJ.

This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: 'Lessons from Lad' author to have event in Sturgis