Happy Holidays to Everyone! Health and Prosperity to all!

Stephen

Amazing Gracie By authors Dan Dye and Mark Beckloff was a joy to read. It was one of those books that makes a quick satisfying read. While I found it in the young adult section, like so many other books (Harry Potter etc.) it was by no means just for young adults. Actually I saw a lot of myself in this story. A 47 year old male  with two Great Danes going through a major change in life direction. This book chronicles the story of how best friends Dan and Mark, through their dogs Sarah, Dottie and Gracie, come to find the direction that was missing in their lives (at least in regards as to career). The turning point, without letting too much of the story out, is provided by their Great Dane Gracie who is albino and deaf. The story  illustrates beautifully how Dan comes to the realization that it was not just Gracie that needed saving but he himself. As I prepare to launch into a new area of my life, starting a business that was inspired by my Dane Caesar, it really does give one reason to pause. If we stop and really pay attention to everything around us. The universe does give us hints, clues, and eventually bites on the ass to get us to take notice. Could we ask for a better messenger than dogs?

Dan Dye and Mark Beckloff are co-founders of Three Dog Bakery.
Amazing Gracie 

It was interesting reviewing this book after reading “Your Dog is Your Mirror” by Kevin Behan as this book is a completely different way of looking at the human/canine bond and what dogs think of it. Once again we are back in the realm of dogs reasoning and thinking, as well as feeling very deeply. However, this is a novel whereas Behans was not. But who am I to say. At the soul level I am sure dogs reason, think, feel and who knows what else.

I think all successful art, whether books, paintings, film or music help the observer or reader to feel something whatever that is. This book achieves that. It’s no plot spoiler to say that the main character dies repeatedly throughout the book which is disheartening to say the least. This is however the story of a dogs many reincarnations and finding his ultimate souls purpose. Lofty yes, but there is a great deal of humor as well. The Author Bruce Cameron strikes a nice balance between humor and avoiding the pitfall of being cloyingly cute when voicing the dogs inner dialog. I found the Dogs point of view authentic. As long as you are willing to go for the ride as Baily dies repeatedly (nothing too graphic) I think you will get a lot out of this novel. Enjoy.

A Dogs Purpose Website

Every once in a while even a big ole dog lover like myself falls in love with a cat. This is our good friend Camille’s cat, Bud. I love the little guy. He’s 16 . I just wanted to share him with you and give a shout out to my best cat bud, Bud.

Gotta say, I found this book really interesting. When I saw the title,  I remembered a poem I wrote a while back:

Like a compass true
You reveal to me myself
Each strength, flaw laid bare.
— S. Longo

This book will challenge everything you thought you knew about your dog and their behavior, as well as their relationship with you or should I say your emotions. The concept Author/Dog Trainer Kevin Behan lays out Is that dogs don’t think per se, they feel. That does not mean they are not intelligent, merely that their intelligence is emotional, vibrational, and immediate, not a process that relies on thinking. My last statement is probably way over simplifying things. Behan makes the point that dogs act as emotional batteries and channels, which our unresolved emotions play out through their behaviors. Meaning that their behaviors are working through our unresolved emotions in an attempt to resolve our energy and ground it.

Now this book is not light reading, but it is not a textbook either. Maybe a little of both. There were parts where Behan is laying out his theory where the book gets a little laden with jargon, but I felt the jargon was necessary in order to build his case. You gotta slug through that part a little, but it is not bad, just a little dry. I recommend  setting yourself up with a cup of tea or coffee and grab some alone time as you will find yourself re-reading sentences a couple of times just to soak in what he is putting forth. There were a couple of times I was like wow that could so translate to other areas of my life. Definitely check this book out.

More info on Kevin’s Work

My first book review. I recently picked up a copy of “Dog Walks Man” by John Zeaman. As one who spends a great deal of time walking my two Great Danes, the title of this book appealed to me. Very often I hear from people on the street as we pass by, Who’s walking who? Depends on the day I say with a smile. But I found this book to be about alot more than dog walking.

I particularly liked the chapter that speaks about the joys of getting to know your neighbors by the trash they leave at the curb. It really speaks volumes about the kind of consumers they are. Do they shop at Costco, Trader Joes? Do they recycle? and one thing that I always notice is how long it takes a homeowner to pick up a a piece of litter that was left on their driveway. I mean they pass by it everyday. I am always amazed that some people can walk by it and leave it there. But then that’s my pet peeve.

This book waxes poetic about the joys of getting in touch with the wild or fringes of suburbia via the dog walk. In this case the Meadowlands in NJ. It is true. You do start noticing places that you would normally drive right past had your dog not guided you there by virtue of his curious nose.

The writers style does not feel forced at all, rather comfortable and honest about the experience. Not trying too hard to make the dog walk more interesting than it is. Well written I felt.

There it is, my first review. Short and sweet. I recommend this book, if only to get you to re-examine something we take for granted or try to rush through all too often.

Dog Walks Man