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Books
By Sue Gillespie

How Dogs Think, by Stanley Coren
Publisher:  Free Press, 2004

How Dogs Think lifts us out of our uniquely human way of experiencing life and wraps us in the furry coat and four-legged mobility of our canine companions.  Author Stanley Coren explores the many ways a dog’s mind processes information, blending anecdotes and documented research to shed light on often perplexing doggish behavior.  Anyone seeking a greater understanding of their dog will gobble down this book like a warm chocolate chip cookie.

Coren opens with an overview of how the five senses function from a canine perspective.  While the broad strokes aren’t surprising (it’s no news flash that dogs hear and smell things we humans completely miss), there’s delight in the details.  Who knew that trimming a dog’s whiskers could impair his sense of touch to the point that he’d miss the water bowl when going for a drink?  Or that the dog who can’t spot her unmoving master from just 75 feet away will unerringly pick out her owner at a distance 15 times greater when the individual waves or beckons?   Each new bit of information yields another “aha!” moment, giving the reader additional insight into canine behavior.

Well paced and reader friendly, How Dogs Think moves past sensory inputs to questions of nature versus nurture, canine personality, emotional learning and even aesthetic ability.  Readers who’ve experienced difficulty training their dogs will be helped by knowing that many breeds ranked lowest in trainability have been bred to focus on certain behaviors—like the Beagle, which tends to follow smells instead of listening to an owner’s commands.  Coren delves into the concept of social learning, as well.  Learning through observation isn’t limited to kids, he suggests:  “Right now your dog is probably watching, listening, and learning from you.” 

Those who value quantifiable data will be reassured by the many scientific studies quoted throughout the book.   Deftly interwoven among the facts are true life stories:  Randy the Bloodhound who tracked two lost children for 35 miles; Strulli the German Shepherd Dog whose howling caused his master to exit a building that collapsed minutes later; Flash the mixed breed terrier puppy who was raised by a cat and acquired cat-like behaviors (including washing his paws with his tongue and using them to clean his face).

Stanley Coren’s desire to enhance the communication between dogs and people permeates this book.  Understanding what goes on inside the mind of your own pooch is an important first step – and one that will further strengthen the bond you two share.  How Dogs Think educates, enlightens and entertains—a “must read” for any serious dog person.
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Sight Hound, by Pam Houston
Publisher:  W.W. Norton, 2005

Sight Hound is Pam Houston’s thoughtful tale of a woman and her remarkable dog, told in their own words (the dog’s thoughts ring remarkably true) and the words of those whose lives they’ve touched.  Irish wolfhound Dante and his human, Rae, have formed an amazing bond, one that has affected Rae’s ability to develop a healthy relationship with males of her own species.  Dante’s efforts to train his human on “the subject of choosing a good mate” pay off just as the dog’s cancer – which originally resulted in the loss of one leg – returns after being in remission for three years.

The novel unfolds as a series of discrete chapters, each narrated by an individual character.  A number of the voices we hear belong to some truly quirky folks.  Howard, the good guy Rae finally meets, is an actor who has trouble turning off his on-stage persona.  Blunt, good-hearted Darlene names her cats after power tools (Makita, Decker, Stanley).  Jonathan is darkly self-absorbed, a quasi-rock star groupie who spends three days keeping company with Bruce Springsteen and his band.  Others weigh in with their observations of Rae and Dante:  veterinarian Dr. Evans; Rae’s therapist, Theo; Stanley the cat; Jodi, a new friend who shows every sign of being a keeper.  Then there are the dogs.

Regal Dante’s commitment to Rae is absolute.  Intensely protective of his human’s emotional well-being, Dante wonders at the frailty of mankind:  “with poor eyes, poorer hearing, and no sense of smell left to speak of, it’s no wonder they are made of fear.”  Life on three legs is at most an inconvenience, and death is a simple fact that the dog regards without fear.  Dante’s single-minded focus on Rae is something we humans may aspire to, but rarely achieve.

Rose is the self-described “second dog,” a happy-go-lucky Irish wolfhound who’ll always be a puppy at heart.  Her silliness provides a needed respite from the current of worry that underlies the story.  Rose takes joy from simple pleasures:  racing through fresh drifts of new snow, scarfing down frosty “poopsicles” from the horse pasture.  While Dante concentrates on teaching Rae how to find and recognize a worthy human partner, Rose’s mission is showing Rae how to play.

Sight Hound is a bittersweet story about hope, trust and love.  The lessons espoused are at times overshadowed by the thread of sadness that never completely fades.  Words of warning:  Keep the Kleenex box within easy reach while reading this book.
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What The Dog Did, by Emily Yoffe
Publisher:  Bloomsburg Publishing, 2005

Here’s required reading for anyone contemplating first-time dog ownership.  Those who finish this book and haven’t bagged the whole idea are probably well-suited to life with a pooch.

Emily Yoffe’s “What The Dog Did” is the entertaining tale of the author’s evolution from dog-owner-only-under-duress to bona fide “dogist.”  Giving in to her six-year-old’s pleas for a pup, Yoffe adopts Sasha, a stray beagle with enough quirks and behavior issues to make even the most devoted dog fanatic consider a Fido-free life.  Yoffe is an admitted dog novice, so of course Sasha delivers on every beagle bad habit known to man:  using the living room as her toilet, resisting all efforts at obedience training, and taking every opportunity to escape the confines of house, yard and leash.

Yoffe digs in with admirable determination to help Sasha learn the ropes of canine comportment.  In the process, her journalistic training kicks in and she begins talking with others about their own dog experiences.  From the pathological (and malodorous) guard dog Paris, to Cinammon the life-saving lhasa apso and Peaches, the Lab whose indiscriminate eating habits rack up astronomical vet bills, the accounts will surely hit home with dog-wise readers.

Serious dog lovers, especially those involved in rescue work themselves, may take exception to the apparent indifference with which Yoffe recounts certain episodes.  The breeder who routinely shot hunting dogs when illness or behavior interfered with performance, and the author’s own emotionally neglected childhood dog are disquieting notes in an otherwise witty narration of life with man’s best friend.  Their rather stark presentation is a reminder of how far our society has progressed in its treatment of animals, and the substantial journey that still lies ahead.

Throughout the glimpses into the lives of various dog s and their people, we follow the progress of Sasha from traumatized stray to happy, confident house beagle.  Yoffe’s own transition to “over-the-edge dog nut” is equally satisfying.  Despite its rather abrupt ending, “What the Dog Did” is a pleasant, sometimes thought-provoking read.
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The Dogs of Bedlam Farm, by Jon Katz

Orson and Homer, the endearing Border Collies Jon Katz brought into his family and the lives of readers in A Dog Year, take center stage again in The Dogs of Bedlam Farm.  They’re joined by youngster Rose (another Border Collie), donkeys Carol and Fanny, a cranky ram named Nesbitt, 15 ewes, and of course Katz himself.  The entire band takes up residence in an old hillside farmhouse located in upstate New York in small, rural West Hebron.

The decision to leave New Jersey for life in the country grows out of Katz’s desire to become a better person—and capable of providing the quality of life and love his dogs deserve.  Working with Orson and Homer, Katz has come to realize that his own impatience, anger and intolerance are negatively affecting the dogs.  Throughout the first year at Bedlam Farm, Katz shares his mistakes and successes with an insightfulness that is sometimes unsettling.

From turning to the inexperienced Rose for help in rounding up escapee sheep to dealing with a crazed feral cat and playing midwife during lambing season in sub-zero temperatures, Katz spins a story of dog love and discovery.  His determination to succeed is underscored by self-deprecating humor and gentle irony.  When Katz rolls out of bed before dawn each day to feed animals and muck out the barn, we groan along with him.  We cheer when he overcomes his instinct to yell at Orson for chowing down on donkey dung—and share his exultation when the dog independently changes his behavior.  As Rose blossoms under Katz’s unrelenting praise, we weep.  We root for Katz every step of the way.

As the enormity of single-handedly caring for his animals and farm begins to sink in, Katz discovers the love he has for his dogs is a bridge for developing human relationships.  Helping neighbor Anthony find the right dog for his own situation marks the beginning of a solid friendship, and herding recalcitrant cows and sheep for other nearby farmers brings Katz deep satisfaction and a sense of community.  And, after ten years of sporadic, troubled contact, Katz reconnects with his sister.  Their reunion is facilitated by a shared love of dogs—the lives of both brother and sister have been changed by their respective canine companions.

Throughout the book, Katz’s need to do right by Orson, Homer and Rose sounds a steady, strong beat.  The Dogs of Bedlam Farm is a captivating read that brings chuckles and tears—and the uncomfortable reminder that what’s best for us may not always be best for our dogs.
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The Dog Lover's Companion to the Pacific Northwest: The Inside Scoop on Where to Take Your Dog, by Val Mallinson

The Dog Lover's Companion to the Pacific Northwest has the inside scoop on the best parks, restaurants, accommodations, recreation spots, and pet-friendly businesses in the entire region. Local author Val Mallinson and her trusty companions Cooper and Isis have dug up many surprising resources available to dogs in the Pacific Northwest, such as pet parades, humane society benefits, boutiques, and off-leash areas. Packed with illustrations by celebrated cartoonist Phil Frank, as well as helpful maps, up-to-date leash laws, and a useful "paw" ranking system for all locations in the book, the Dog Lover's Companion to the Pacific Northwest is truly a pet's best friend.

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