This article is from 2006's Pet Guide package. The information may be out-of-date, so please call locations listed for new information.

To see the new Pet Guide from 2008, click here.

While working on his novel Drama City, Silver Spring author George Pelecanos shadowed an animal-control officer to get insight into his book's main character. Pelecanos was troubled by the animal neglect he saw. He told one of the officials: "If you find a good dog, give me a call."

A short time later, Pelecanos got a call about Sandy, a mutt who had been abused. "When we got her, she was wearing a cast," Pelecanos says. "We knew she was the one. She's a really sweet animal."

Sandy plays ball and tug-of-war with Pelecanos's three children. "A dog really completes a family," he says. "Especially when you show your kids that process of finding a dog and bringing her home."

The family has enjoyed Sandy so much that they plan on adopting another puppy from the Humane Society.

--Kim Forrest