Pawprints All Over Me

Book excerpt: A former Navy pilot recalls an incident from his younger days involving his first real pet, a dog named Buster. In later years he and his family acquire various other pets yet the author never allows himself to become attached to them. In time, he acquires a free weimaraner and that sets the stage for a future which ultimately includes three very diverse dogs of that same breed. While the book is primarily about weimaraners, it is really about all dogs and their relationship with the human members of their "pack." The author and his wife undergo a series of challenges far beyond their early expectations and the results range from sad to hilarious. They begin with a single dog and add a second. The book follows them through puppy stage, the show ring, hunt tests and day-today life. As they finally reach a stable and predictable relationship with the two dogs, they add a third and the chaos begins. There is a great deal of information and lessons learned presented throughout the book. Some methods worked and others failed miserably. The inevitable compromises reflect the impact that the dogs have on the author, his family and friends. This book contains no inappropriate language and is a must for anyone who has ever owned a puppy or anticipates adding one to the family.