Stand By Me

In this heartfelt and often humorous story, Dale Marie Taylor shares the story of raising and training a German Shepherd puppy into a devoted service dog — and trusted lifeline. What begins as a simple admiration for the breed grows into an extraordinary journey of dedication, learning, laughter, and deep companionship.
More than a training manual and far more than a pet story, this book offers an intimate look at what it truly means to live and move through the world with a service dog. Dale invites readers into the daily realities of training, bonding, and navigating public life — revealing both the joys and the challenges behind the scenes.
Through perseverance and countless hours of work, Gunter earns his AKC STAR Puppy, Canine Good Citizen, and Urban Canine Good Citizen certifications — but his greatest accomplishments are the quiet, life-changing moments: steadying Dale when her balance falters, helping her rise after a fall, and standing watch with unwavering devotion.
With warmth, honesty, and gentle humor, this book dispels common myths about service dogs and thoughtfully explains why a true service animal is not created by a vest alone — but by patience, consistency, and a deep bond built on trust.
This is the story of a remarkable dog…
and the woman whose life he changed forever.