A big dog with a giant heart This is a story of the loyalty and love between a young woman and her dog. And what a dog Nikko is a purebred Bernese Swiss Mountain dog, carrying the genes of generations of thoughtful breeding in the Emmental Region of the Swiss Alps. When Kara, a young American woman just finishing up her European schooling, meets Nikko, they form an immediate bond. Kara and Nikko depart for California, where the adorable little puppy grows into a beautiful 125-pound animal. But an accident separates the two, and Nikko's instincts surface when faced with hunger and the need to survive. Will Kara and Nikko find each other again? About the Author: Vince McGuinness is retired from a career in the financial world and is rediscovering the creative writing techniques he acquired in his university years. He and his wife Joy, their four children, fourteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild live in different parts of California. Nikko is based on Vince's daughter and the Bernese puppy she brought home from Europe.