Category Archives: Dog Stories

Aktis R.I.P.

Posted on November 26, 2015 by

On this thanksgiving day I want to share the story of the death of a great and beloved dog. Some readers will know Aktis from earlier posts or from my book. He was an 85-pound German shepherd; we brought home on … Continue reading →

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A Book, A Resolution, and An Offer

Posted on January 15, 2015 by

One of my resolutions for 2014 was to make an effort on behalf of my first child, by which I mean my book Willing Dogs & Reluctant Masters: On Friendship and Dogs. A year later, I’m determined to follow through … Continue reading →

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OR-7: A Lone Wolf’s Story

Posted on July 17, 2014 by

On a quiet Sunday morning last summer I saw my first wolf in the wild. I was near the end of a long trail run when I noticed him gazing steadily at me from a grassy clearing about 15 meters off … Continue reading →

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A Birthday Appreciation

Posted on May 16, 2014 by

My dog Aktis celebrated his tenth birthday by treating himself to the naughty pleasure of a nap on our bed. I found him fast asleep, head on my pillow, and curled in a fetal position. Until recently, Aktis has never been … Continue reading →

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Training Tip #13

Posted on May 10, 2014 by

  In its appendix I set out 20 training tips gathered from various places in my book.  Here’s #13, which, as you can see, grew out of my own experience: 13. Make imaginative use of props. For example, if the dog … Continue reading →

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On Second Thought . . . Hilarious

Posted on February 11, 2014 by

In an earlier post I suggested that dogs needn’t be bathed before letting them play with kids. (Give those microbes a chance to glom onto your kids!) I still think that’s usually true, especially in first world countries where dogs … Continue reading →

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Cold Comforts: Dogs, Death, and Saying What We Can

Posted on November 7, 2013 by

In the last few months, several friends have had to suffer letting go of their dogs. What do you say to a friend grieving the loss of their dog? For that matter, what do we say to comfort ourselves when … Continue reading →

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The Pleasure of Aktis Eating (in the Shadow of Death)

Posted on September 6, 2013 by

For Erda and her friends, in memoriam The way Aktis relished his dinner last night made me so unreasonably happy that this morning I want to share a little of my pleasure with you, if I can. It may be … Continue reading →

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A Touching Campaign on Behalf of Stray Dogs

Posted on August 2, 2013 by

During a visit to Athens I was struck and dismayed by the many stray dogs wandering the streets, looking for leavings, handouts, or someone to follow home. I was so moved by the experience that I began the first draft … Continue reading →

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Bow of the Day

Posted on July 12, 2013 by

When everything exists within your big mind, all dualistic relationships drop away. There is no distinction between heaven and earth, man and woman, teacher and disciple. Sometimes a man bows to a woman; sometimes a woman bows to a man. … Continue reading →

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