A heartwarming meditation on the powerful presence of dogs in our lives and the transformative lessons they can teach us about love, loyalty, grief, and more
"When in doubt, walk your dog" is the first of many valuable maxims in Dog Lessons, a heartfelt reflection on what dogs can teach us when we open ourselves to listen and learn. After sixty-plus years living and working with dogs, Hersch Wilson shares self-deprecating stories and lighthearted musings on a life filled with fur-covered furniture, unexplained messes, and destroyed property. The resulting compendium of dog wisdom - from universal values like loyalty and curiosity to practical lessons on napping, playing, and avoiding a serious fight - is not only poignant but eminently good advice.
"Dog lover and master storyteller Hersch Wilson shows how our canine companions can teach us many valuable life lessons."
- Marc Bekoff, author of Dogs Demystified
"A truly beautiful book and a must-have for any dog lover's library."
- Laura T. Coffey, bestselling author of My Old Dog
"Each chapter feels like an engaging walk in the woods."
- Kathy Callahan, author of 101 Rescue Puppies
"Part meditation and part memoir, Dog Lessons takes readers off-leash to discover how our canine companions can unleash wildness, serenity, and joy."
- Gary Kowalski, author of Goodbye, Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone Who Has Ever Lost a Pet
Hersch Wilson is an organizational consultant, pilot, former professional dancer, newspaper columnist, and volunteer firefighter. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with his wife, Laurie; two daughters; and two dogs, a Great Pyrenees and a Chihuahua-terrier mix.
HerschWilson.com
Writer's Note
Introduction: Dog Spirit
Dog Lesson: On Love
Part 1: First Dog
Chapter 1: . . . And She Threw Up on My Shoes
Dog Lesson: Getting over poop
Chapter 2: Save the puppies!
Chapter 3: "Free Love"
Chapter 4: The legacy of Little Joe
Dog Lesson: Freedom
Chapter 5: Wildness
Dog Lesson: Wild at Heart
Chapter 6: When a Wild Place Disappears
Part 2: Philosophy of Dog
Chapter 7: The Great Horned Owl
Dog Lesson: How to not get into a fight (pay attention Alpha Males. . .)
Chapter 8: We live in a World of Sentience
Dog Lesson: the importance of touch
Chapter 9: A Dog's Reality
Chapter 10: It's not just about the Breed
Dog Lessons: The importance of Naps
Chapter 11: Loving Kindness
Chapter 12: What Happened to the Wallpaper?
Part 3: Living in wild country
Chapter 13: The Road to Santa Fe
Chapter 14: In the Wilderness
Dog Lesson: Keep it simple
Chapter 15: When your mom asks, is it a good idea to have a baby in the wilderness with three dogs?
Dog Lesson: Masters of what is important.
Chapter 16: Zuni just wants to Run
Dog Lesson: Coyote fit
Chapter 17: Childhood is the kingdom where no one ever dies
Dog Lesson: Zoomies.
Part 4: He's in the living room and he has something Big!
Chapter 18: Enjoy Chaos? Adopt Bernese Mountain Dog puppies.
Chapter 19: Let the dogs out, let the dogs in, let the dogs out, let the dogs in.
Dog Lesson: Escaping
Chapter 20: "Good Nellie, Good Girl"
Dog Lesson: Calm human, calm dog
Chapter 21: Off Leash in the Mountains
Chapter 22: When an Old Dog dies
Dog Lesson: How to be old
Part 5: Wait. . .We have a Chihuahua?
Chapter 23: No Little Dog is going to Win my Heart. . .
Chapter 24: Rescuing Maisie
Dog Lesson: Get down on your belly and investigate the tall grass.
Chapter 25: We lied about never getting another Big Dog
Chapter 26: When a Dire Wolf runs across a golf course
Dog Lesson: Resilience
Chapter 27: Maisie and Toby vs the Coyotes
Dog Lesson: Bravery
Part 6: Final Lessons
Chapter 28: The Trial of the Pig
Chapter 29: Dogs of Ukrai
