If your relationship has ended and you have to decide what to do with your dog, this book is written for you. If you are a divorce attorney, family mediator, a therapist, or a family court judge, this book is also written for you. This compassionate guide covers subjects such as shared vs sole custody of pets, how to handle visitations, the laws around pet custody, the best way to factor children into the decision, differences in dog breeds, and common mistakes to avoid. Whether you have one dog or four, a tiny mixed breed or large purebred, this book will give you the knowledge and tools to navigate this difficult decision in a way that prioritizes the well-being of your dog and gives you peace in your heart. What reviewers are saying... Some of my most difficult consults have been about “who keeps the dog” when couples are separating. If only I’d had this thoughtful, practical, and compassionate book to hand my clients! Karis Nafte has all the skills needed to write this book—regarding canine behavior, the law, and as a practicing consultant. It’s the perfect additon to any consultant shelf, and for anyone facing difficult decisions about their beloved dog.” Patricia McConnell, author, PhD, CAAB Emeritus Karis Nafte has written a unique, important, and highly useful book about a problem that is so common you would think dozens of books would have been written about it. As a divorce mediator, I have encountered many bitter disputes over pet custody, yet as a mediation trainer, I find it largely ignored – probably because Karis Nafte’s book had not yet been written. In clear, practical language, Nafte tells many stories and offers immensely useful advice for mediators, lawyers, and separating couples, all of whom will benefit enormously from this outstanding guide – to say nothing of the pets. Kenneth Cloke, author The Magic in Mediation and Mediating Dangerously Karis Nafte, CDBC, brings more than 25 years' experience as an animal behavior expert to her work in pet custody mediation, where she prioritzes pets' well-being in custody decisions. She works worldwide as an educator, expert consultant, and speaker, in between seeing her own clients (and helping their humans). Karis lives with her husband, daughter, three dogs and three cats. Learn more at www.whokeepsthedog.com