> Dr. Brendan McCarthy had to rebuild his life following an accident that blinded him. In Alive Day , McCarthy is asked to work with a Marine who has been disabled in Iraq and is depressed, angry and suicidal. McCarthy and his service dog Nelson work to reach the Marine and try to help him realize that his life is not over. The story is a quick read and can be a bit saccharine at times, but the overall message of trust, hope and love made this a book that I enjoyed. The author, Tom Sullivan, is a writer and actor who has been blind since infancy and his descriptions of blindness and the relationship between the character and his service dog offer insights into how much dogs can be of assistance to the blind or disabled and how much of a team a person and a dog can become. He demonstrates through his characters how much we all need to rely on others for support and strength.