This is the story of how a washed-up copywriter, a puppy-mill puppy with a broken back, and a dog who lived in a cage in a barn overcame all obstacles to bring more joy to people and their pets.

Val Mallinson believes that beauty and hilarity are everywhere you look. Bitten by the travel bug early, she has explored all 50 states, a dozen European countries, and the Caribbean. Val’s love of dogs began even earlier, thanks to her childhood companion Keegan, who waited, nose pressed to window, for her to come home from kindergarten.

After being seduced by her mother’s adopted dog Thumper, Val adopted two miniature dachshunds, Cooper and Isis, from purebred rescue. Together, they’ve helped author The Dog Lover’s Companion to the Pacific Northwest, The Dog Lover’s Companion to Seattle, and The Dog Lover’s Companion to Oregon. Tales of the Wonder Wieners’ misadventures have appeared in CityDog and Bark magazines. Val’s writing and photography also are featured in Seattle Metropolitan, Northwest Travel, AAA Journey, and Northwest Palate.

In the course of their journeys, Cooper and Isis have slept in the car in a downpour and eaten kibble off the cold, hard ground. They’ve learned how to navigate using the (bleep)-ing GPS, endured the admiration of excitable toddlers, and scratched at rashes caused by field grass allergies. It’s been worth every moment.

The valiant Wonder Wieners live with their mom and dad in Seattle, Washington.