Alexander Epp became confined to a wheelchair at the age of 21 after a car accident. However, this didnu2019t prevent him from undertaking many tours on a handbike, complete with tent and accompanied by one or more stray dogs. These u2018village dogsu2019 lived completely independent lives, without benefit of training or human companionship, and yet chose to follow Alexander on his adventures, developing a close bond with him as they did. This experience led to Alexander writing his first book u2018Friendship instead of dominanceu2019 (Kynos, 2003), and acquiring his own dog, the German Shepherd Ferro. Sadly, at the age of just six, Ferro succumbed to a congenital heart defect and died. Alexander does not have a dog at the moment as he feels that none could replace his beloved Ferro.