explains how you can get your dog to excel in all three to master that rocket recall . If you hit speed bumps along the way , Lisa explains that is to be expected and just go back to where the recall was last successful .
All-in-all , this book will absolutely guide you ( trainers and nontrainers alike ) in helping you recall your dog , despite distractions and distance . And in some cases , that “ stop-on-a-dime ” recall can be a lifesaver if you have a dog chasing a rabbit toward a cliff or curb . Lisa ’ s article in the FALL 2022 issue of the Chronicle of the Dog is also a great source in getting started for this important training skill . — The editor
Wonder Dogs :
True Stories of Extraordinary Assistance Dogs
Written by Maureen Maurer with Jenna Benton Published by Revell , a division of Baker Publishing Group , P . O . Box 6287 , Grand Rapids , Michigan ; released July 13 , 2021 ; 240 pages . Where to purchase : Baker Publishing Group , $ 14.99 paperback , $ 14.99 ebook ; Amazon , $ 10.99 paperback , $ 33.80 hardcover , $ 10.44 Kindle ; Barnes and Noble , $ 14.99 paperback , $ 11.49 ebook .
It ’ s time for holiday gift giving and what best to stuff a stocking than a dog book filled with stories about assistance dogs . “ Wonder Dogs ” is filled with stories about assistance dogs trained by Maureen Maurer , the founder and executive director of Assistance Dogs of Hawaii and Assistance Dogs Northwest ( Seattle ). Trained as a certified public accountant , Maureen had one of those life-changing moments in 1995 when a large tumor was discovered that was suspected of being ovarian cancer . After being told she might have but six months to live , all Maureen could think of were the things she hadn ’ t done , and first on that list was her desire to train dogs to help people . Thankfully , the tumor was benign and surgically removed . But the scare at age 39 gave Maureen the push she needed to fulfill that dream . She sold her CPA practice and she and her husband , Will , created a non-profit , Hawaii Canines for Independence , now Assistant Dogs of Hawaii . It is from her second career Maureen , with the assistance of Jenna Benton , the book “ Wonder Dogs ” was born .
The book has numerous stories of the dogs trained to perform specialized skills for their clients , ranging from the disabled or those with special needs to therapy dogs at hospitals and courthouses . You ’ ll read about Tucker , the cover Golden Retriever puppy and future hospital therapy dog , who during his first visit to the hospital , had a little girl who had been non-responsive for days tighten her grip into Tucker ’ s fur . Ten years later , that same little girl would attend the large gathering of those who paid their respects to Tucker after his cancer diagnosis .
There ’ s Freedom , another Golden Retriever , who helped give independence to a disabled veteran , then saved her life during a kitchen fire . Leader , a German Shepherd mix who was found abandoned , would be trained to assist a young boy with muscular dystrophy . Pono , a black Labrador Retriever , becomes Hawaii ’ s first courthouse dog to help children handle the trauma of testifying in court . It took Sam eight years before the exuberant Golden Retriever came into his own as a medical scent detection dog , proving that yes , you can teach an old dog new tricks . “ Wonder Dogs ” is a heartwarming book that will invoke smiles , tears and laughter as you read about how these extraordinary assistance dogs are chosen , trained and assigned to their human partners . — The editor
Fur & Grrr :
The Funniest Things People Have Said About Dogs
Created by Craig and Erich Pearson Published by Quippery LLC , Fairfield , Iowa ; released Nov . 22 , 2018 ; 284 pages . Where to purchase : Amazon , $ 13.95 paperback , $ 4.49 Kindle .
So what do Dave Barry , Jerry Seinfeld , Paula Poundstone , Wanda Sykes , Erma Bombeck , Steven Wright , Jay Leno , David Letterman , George Carlin and Jeff Foxworthy have in common other than being comedians ? They are all quoted ( along with MANY more ), in “ Fur & Grrr : The Funniest Things People Have Said About Dogs ,” compiled by brothers Craig and Erich Pearson . This 284-page large-size paperback features 38 ( yes , that ’ s 3-8 ) chapters about dogs ( not including the Prologue and Acknowledgements ), which appropriately enough , starts with In the Beginning featuring a quote by 19th century Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke : “ God sat down for a moment when dog was finished in order to watch it … and to know that it was good , that nothing was lacking , that it could not have been made better .” But Aristotle said it best : “ There is honor in being a dog .”
Some quotes are attributed to “ unknown ,” such as “ every boy should have two things : a dog and a mother willing to let him have one .” And to no shock , syndicated columnist and avowed dog lover Dave Barry ’ s quotes are liberally sprinkled throughout the book , with good reason . This is the man who profoundly observed : “ The objective is not so much to walk your dog , as it is to empty him .” The
The APDT Chronicle of the Dog | Winter 2022 61