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Dogs are a joy forever!

© Nancy McMillan

Yes, I've placed Reilly.

Let me back up; I've been screening "caregivers" since early January for Reilly, Maggie's male pup. I have talked to somewhere close to 20 varied interested buyers. Some came to me from breeder referral, some from friends, and some from the Internet. Some from as far away as Brazil to as close to home as two blocks away. To all I talked responsibilities. Finally undaunted by sales patter, enthusiastic owners appeared last weekend.

Family and friends had begun to wonder who I was trying to convince with my often stated "I'm only becoming a two-dog family and I have no intention of becoming a three-dog family." They saw me providing more than enough information about the breed, temperament, exercise needs, grooming requirements and training recommendations. They watched me introduce Maggie and the puppies to a large number of people who were "considering the breed." They felt it might have been my presentation which resulted in Reilly remaining in my household. I told them I was looking for the best match. Dogs are for life!

And to do with a dog's life, here are a couple of books worthy of note. This Christmas one of the nicest presents I received was a book called Dogs Never Lie About Love: Reflections on the Emotional World of Dogs by Jeffrey Masson. Read what the critics say. I think this is a must read for all dog owners. Keep it away from your non-doggie friends. Let them read it and the secret of why you are devoted to your dog will be out - everyone will want one.

Credited as the inspiration in part for this book was a 1993 bestseller called The Hidden life of Dogs. I have only read the reviews but plan to look for the book. One of the more entertaining reviews of The Hidden Life of Dogs was written by well know humourist Dave Barry. He spoofs Elizabeth Marshall Thomas' astounding insights into dog behavior. Here is a sample quote: Anyway, reading this book got me to thinking about my own dogs. Did they have a hidden life? If so, could I discover it, and more important - write a best-selling book? (Dave Barry has been at The Miami Herald since 1983. He won the Pulitzer Prize for commentary in 1988.)

Maggie, Rosie and Reilly have a hidden life and it includes me (or at least my socks).

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