★ Recommended by novelist Baek Su-rin and photographer Jeong Mel-mel
★ The first illustrated essay by the screenwriter of the film "Hello Bailey"

What we wanted to hear so badly
The voice of the being who loved me more than I loved myself

Those who live with pets have one wish in their hearts.
To hear their voices even just once.
I want to hear from their voices whether there is anything that hurts, what they are thinking, and whether the time we spent together was a happy one.
"I'll Always Be By Your Side" miraculously fulfills a wish that seemed impossible.
Their voices, which are sometimes absurdly eccentric, yet overwhelmingly lovable, are delicately and cheerfully captured, allowing us to “discover in the book the words I want to hear from my dog ​​and the love I have for my dog” (novelist Baek Su-rin).


The author of this book, Kathryn Michon, confesses that after being separated from her beloved dog, she felt like she would never be able to have another dog again.
Her husband told her a heartwarming story about a dog that had left her and was reincarnated, and they were able to welcome their beloved dog, Tucker, into their new family.
Later, the story was born as the novel “A Dog’s Purpose,” and the films “Bailey Again” (2018) and “Hello Bailey” (2019) were produced based on this work.
Kathryn wrote the screenplays for both films, which resonated with audiences around the world and became box office hits.


A story that was spontaneously made up to comfort someone became a novel, then two films, and until her sadness, which was the beginning of all stories, finally transformed into the courage to love again.
What else could we call this series of moments if not miracles?
But the miracle wasn't over yet.
Kathryn Michon wrote "I'm Always With You" to continue that miraculous moment, and those who read this book will experience that miracle too.
Because I will clearly hear the cute and affectionate voice of the being who loved me more than I loved myself.

The brilliant lives of dogs unfold in beautiful watercolors.
Love and attitude towards life learned from them

"I'm Always By Your Side" is a work that delicately captures the moments of love we shared through the eyes of a dog.
Their cute and lovely lives unfold like a diary, with simple and concise sentences like poetry and over 60 watercolors combined.
Seth Taylor, the book's illustrator, says he tried to depict as many different breeds of dogs as possible.
I hoped that readers would be able to project their own memories and recall the face of the person they loved most.
The moments of playing ball until you're tired, the bath time you had to take even though you hated it, the walk you took every day - all these ordinary daily moments come to life in three dimensions thanks to warm watercolors.


Our furry friends in the book realize, “This is my home” when they first meet at the touch of a hand stroking them, and generously describe a fragrant cheese snack as “the taste of love.”
He also brightly says, “That’s proof that you love us that much,” while recalling countless toys, but he also nagged us affectionately, saying, “Stop being afraid and love us more.”
It means to “live like dogs” and do your best to love in your short life.


This loving advice and love does not remain a fantasy in books.
We know that sometimes the company of animals is more comforting than human words.
When we are sad or tired, they quietly come to us and offer their side, sharing body heat with us by pressing their soft, furry bodies against each other.
Could there be a love more pure and perfect than this? This book ultimately reminds us that humans learn about love and the way we live through animals.
It makes me realize again the kind of love that doesn't take stock, the kind of love that doesn't back down in the face of fear, and the kind of love where someone's happiness becomes my own purpose.


It gives you the courage to overcome your fears and love again.
The best compliment you can hear from your most loved one

Some encounters and partings sometimes change the way we see the world and live in an absurdly short time.
In the process, I find myself becoming either uncontrollably fragile or incredibly strong.
Perhaps it is an unavoidable characteristic of love to constantly go back and forth between softness and hardness.
―Jeong Melmel (photographer)

Life with a pet opens up a whole new world.
Even people who used to sleep in wake up with a start at the sound of their dog barking for food, and even people who used to hate walking go for walks every day, their lives change and people change.
They say people don't change easily, but in love, everything becomes possible.
But does great love bring fear?
Even in days filled with joy and happiness, companions live in constant fear of the moment of separation that will come one day.
Especially for those who have once owned a dog, like the author of this book, Kathryn Michon, it takes overcoming even deeper fears to find the courage to love a dog again.


But no matter how much fear accompanies love, that fear must not be allowed to block love.
In this book, don't our dogs also speak?
“Fear drives out love, fear drives out joy, fear drives out life.” So just love.


The reason we are afraid of love is probably because our love always seems inadequate in front of their love and we feel endlessly sorry.
For us, “I’m Always By Your Side” is the best compliment we can give to someone we love.
“You are the best gift I have ever received.” “The love you gave me was perfect in every way.” As I read along with their voices, I naturally find the courage to love again.
So, ultimately, this book is “not a book about sadness, but a book that brings us back to joy” (W.
Bruce Cameron).
I hope that readers, too, will feel their unwavering love through this book, and return to their lives in joy.