One of my Scottish clan's forebears developed and named "the little white dog," the West Highland White Terrier. This book was inspired by that heritage - I'm a proud member of the Clan MacCallum-Malcollm - and by my own little white dogs, Wee Dram and Islay Single Malt.

This legendary tale is told from public record, and I hope it puts Col. Malcolm's contribution in perspective. We may never know the intimate details, but we do know that he changed his kennel's breeding program when one of his dogs was accidentally shot ... and the rest, as they say, is history.

Our "clancestor's" commitment and devotion merits more than the one or two paragraphs he and his dogs' story usually get in breed books. I hope you agree, and enjoy this version of the story every MacCallum and Malcolm - and every lover of Westies - should know.