Local author and furry friends featured in latest edition of ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’

Serra Mesa resident Bianca Sanchez is a featured writer in the latest edition of Chicken Soup for the Soul: What I Learned from My Dog, in which she shares a heartfelt story about an unexpected bond she formed with her pet poodle, Lady. 

The latest book in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, known for its inspirational stories told by ordinary people, was released Tuesday with over 100 true stories showcasing meaningful relationships between people and their dogs. Whether it’s stories about love or loyalty, the book highlights valuable life lessons everyday people have learned from their canine companions. 

Sanchez submitted her story, “Running Partners,” in response to a Chicken Soup for the Soul call for submissions in June 2024. She wrote about overcoming the grief of losing her dog, Cookie, and how Lady gave her the motivation to channel that pain in a more positive way.

“After what happened to Cookie, I didn’t want any more dogs because I was afraid that if I got another dog, what if they had to deal with something like that again? What if they had to deal with pain or what if their life was cut short,” Sanchez said. 

“But then, shortly after Cookie’s death, my family ended up getting this poodle named Lady and in the end, Lady and I ended up bonding. She became my workout partner, my running partner, and she helped me move through my grief and overall lead a healthier life.”

As someone who’s been a fan of the series since she was a pre-teen, it’s been a full-circle moment for Sanchez to be featured in the same books that she and her grandma used to collect together. Although her grandma passed away in 2020, Sanchez shared on her Instagram that she likes to think her grandma is looking down and smiling, proud that she’s part of the Chicken Soup series that they once cherished. 

While Lady has been an inspiration in her life, Sanchez says both of her dogs continue to touch the hearts of people outside her family. 

Her second dog, a Tibetan Spaniel named Bee, has gained online fans, with a following of more than 7,700. The Instagram account run by her sister often showcases Lady and “Bee the Tiny Dancer” together in silly videos, which have caught the attention of thousands of dog lovers. 

The San Diego community has cemented its love for Lady and Bee with two Bizarre Bazaar Vending Machine murals of the pups – one in Tiny Giant Taproom in Barrio Logan and Little Miss Brewing. Currently, Bee’s mural in La Mesa though needs a new home since Little Miss Brewing closed down this year. 

In the past six years, Sanchez has watched her two dogs spread so much love around her, from helping her family heal to making strangers smile online. By sharing her story, she hopes her readers will feel inspired to not only see their dogs as workout companions but also as support systems during life’s difficult moments. 

“I want people to feel hope, as cheesy as it sounds, sometimes great things will find you when you’re not looking for it. I never thought I would love a dog as much as I love Lady,” Sanchez said. 

“I also hope readers are inspired to adopt dogs that are a bit older. When we got Lady she was a senior dog. When we found her in the shelter, her fur was overgrown and matted and she had an eye infection … although adopting a senior dog can have its challenges, I’m so happy we gave her a home, because she truly is the sweetest dog.”

Sanchez’s “Running Partners,” in the new Chicken Soup for the Soul: What I Learned from My Dog, is available in paperback and digital editions. Downloads can be purchased online here.