Showing results by narrator "Natalie Budig" in All Categories

Sammy the golden retriever has a big job. Because his owner is visually impaired, Sammy needs to keep a constant watch of their surroundings. And in the city, there is a lot to notice - and a lot of potential distractions, too. Told from the dog's perspective, this story also includes back matter about the breed and role of the working dog.

What does a three-pound brain have to do with one’s sex life? A lot, actually. Hooked is about what’s happening to your brain when you’re having sex. Learn about your brain, the positive effects of sex within permanently committed relationships, and how you can protect yourself (especially your brain) from the dangers of casual sex.

What if your phone truly helped you connect with the people more than disconnect with those around you? Author and youth-culture expert, Jonathan McKee, and his daughter Alyssa McKee, uncover 40 random realizations they've discovered over the last five years. Screens provide fun platforms to connect with faraway friends; and sometimes the people we love the most are the people we ignore all day. Jonathan and Alyssa help young adults navigate face-to-face communication in a screen-to-screen world.

It's been two years since Blackie, the horse Sam raised from a foal, threw her in a near-fatal accident. She's been separated from her family, her ranch, and the wild mustangs she loves. Now she's home again, but her beloved Blackie has been missing since the day Sam was injured. Then, on the night she returns, a mustang comes to Sam. Is it Blackie, grown up and gone wild? Is it the legendary stallion known as the Phantom? Or could it be both?

Cougars have been spotted nearby, but they haven't hurt the ranch horses - yet. So Samantha is outraged when a neighboring rancher vows to kill the mountain lions on sight. Her family's horses may be safe, but out on the range, Sam spots a wild young stallion without a herd. Being alone puts this horse in danger. Sam is determined to protect the rebellious mustang and still save the cougars.

Spend a day in the life of a star! Bella the Jack Russell terrier was born for the stage - she never misses her mark, and her bark is always on cue. But her dog brother, Chewy the German shepherd, always gets the big roles. Will Bella ever get her time in the spotlight? Told from the dog's perspective, this story also includes back matter about the breed and role of the working dog.

Spend a day in the life of a livestock guardian dog! Jax the Great Pyrenees has a big job. After the Texas sun goes down, it's up to him and two other LGDs to protect their ranch from predators. But when the lead dog gets hurt, Jax and a young pup are the only ones left to protect the flock through the night. Told from the dog's perspective, this story also includes back matter about the breed and role of the working dog.

Spend a day in the life of an avalanche rescue dog! Ava is a chocolate Labrador retriever with a big job. She and her handler have trained for years to be ready to help people at their ski resort if an unexpected avalanche hits. But Ava quickly finds out there's much more to being an avy dog than daring rescues. Told from the dog's perspective, this riveting story also includes back matter about the breed and the role of the working dog.

Sam and the mysterious mustang known as the Phantom have become friends, and Sam is determined to defend his freedom on the open range. But the mustang has been accused of stealing tame mares from local ranchers. Sam knows the Phantom isn't to blame, and she races to prove his innocence. Then, a local rancher offers a reward to anyone who can capture the wild stallion. A price on his head means it's not just the Phantom's freedom Sam is fighting for - it's his life.

When an ambitious rodeo contractor comes to town, Sam's worried. The contractor wants to buy tamed mustangs from local ranchers, including Sam's dad, and doesn't seem to like taking no for an answer. Then Sam spots the Phantom's herd - without him. She's sure he's been captured by the rodeo, but how will she find him? And even if she does, how can she set him free?

When Sam rescues an abused mare from outlaw horse rustlers, she knows she's done the right thing. But the ranch already has a full corral, and a long drought means the cattle are running out of grass. Of course her dad refuses to allow her to adopt another mustang. The frightened and dangerous mare is just beginning to trust Sam when the rustlers learn Sam is the one who told the authorities about their illegal wild horse trap. Now, it's up to Sam to keep the mare - and herself - safe.

The Phantom's lead mare is missing from the herd, and Sam's worried she may have been captured. When Sam finds the mare safe - in government custody - she's desperate to set her free. But the horse is badly injured, and setting her free on the range could slow down the mare's entire herd, putting them at risk in the dangerous winter months. How far should Sam go to help the horses she loves?

When Sam finds a home for a group of "unadoptable" mustangs, she feels like a hero. But when she promises to help care for the horses - especially the blind filly among them - she's overwhelmed with responsibilities. Then the filly wanders off alone in a snowstorm. Will Sam be able to find her in time? Or will the Phantom be the one who saves the day?

When a pack of vicious hunting dogs is found running loose on the range, Samantha is worried they might attack the Phantom Stallion's new foals. But the Phantom is busy protecting his herd from New Moon, a rival stallion and the Phantom's fully grown son. If Sam can't help the horses, will the stallions learn to band together in time?

As Samantha and her friends prepare for a charity horse race, they're very excited. Sam is riding Ace, and her race partner, Jake, plans to train a pinto filly running free on reservation lands. But the wild pinto has other plans. When the filly escapes and runs off with the Phantom, Sam is torn. If she helps Jake, she's taking the filly away from the Phantom. Will she betray her friend or her wild horse?

The Phantom Stallion's new foal is ready to be born, and River Bend Ranch's own Dark Sunshine is the mother. Samantha couldn't be more excited, and she's sure she can handle the new baby while everyone is gone on the annual cattle drive.

When Samantha rescues a beautiful draft horse from an auction, she's sure he'll be perfect to groom for resale. The giant horse - named Tinkerbell! - is so big, Sam can barely saddle him. He's great at jumping - over pasture fences. Will he be helpful at a ranch or too much to handle? Then disaster strikes River Bend, and it's Sam who needs help. And just in time to save the day, Tinkerbell's true strength is revealed.

Sam discovers a lost palomino in a spooky ghost town. The horse looks like a mirage, but also looks well cared for, and even familiar. Could it be the missing horse from her best friend's ranch? Sam needs to get the mare back home safely, but there might be something trying to stop her - her other best friend, the Phantom Stallion.

When a lightning storm strikes the wild horse sanctuary and sets the pasture on fire, all the mustangs panic - including the Phantom's herd. Then, in the midst of the fire, a terrible accident injures the Phantom, and Sam is terrified that he might not recover. If he doesn't, can he survive in the wild? Or will Sam's wild horse need to be captured?

The Phantom's lead mare is injured, and Samantha wants to help her. But she can't call the vet—what if he won't let the mare return to the wild? So Sam starts treating the mare's injuries in secret. But the horse seems awfully calm for a mustang, and she matches the description of a missing mare from California. Is Sam helping a mustang, or has she accidentally stolen someone's horse?