In the ongoing 'winter that will not end', email from my Ohio family this morning included a photo of their back deck and yard .... covered with several inches of snow ... Out here it clouded over just long enough to miss the lunar eclipse as it was overcast last night at midnight, but clear this morning. Argh!

It's back to the dogs again for this post:

Paws to Consider: Choosing the Right Dog for You and Your Family by Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson. If you are looking for a pure bred dog, this is the book to read! It is an excellent guide to selecting the best dog for you ... which breeds are good with small children, high energy dogs, low energy dogs, dogs for the allergic, etc. do that you can find the breed most compatible with your lifestyle. It also mentions medical and behavioral problems typical to particular breeds.

Keep in mind, though, that mixed breeds can be wonderful ... all my dogs have come from shelters and I have never regretted having a 'mutt'. If you are not planning on breeding or showing, consider the humble mixed breed dog.

Dog Spirit: Hounds, Howlings, and Hocus-Pocus by Patricia Telesco. a history of the various roles dogs played in religious and magical ways in civilizations around the world. This is a metaphysical history of the dog and a great read. Learn about dog totems, dog astrology, dog ghosts and more. My favorite chapter was the one explaining why certain breeds were put on earth: for me, it was the Husky, here to offer comfort in a time of sorrow.

Dog Owner's Manual: Important Stuff You Should Know About Your Pet, by Buster (as told to David E. Carter. Here is advice every dog owner should know straight from the horse's, er, dog's mouth. Buster explains dog fantasies, how dogs would rule the world and more. Profanity is in the ear of the listener (spoiler alert!!) ... for dogs, a four letter word is BATH! The Dog Owner's Manual is a wonderful chuckle of a read.

How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend: a Training Manual for Dog Owners by the Monks of New Skete. Just a quick mention here as I have the original version. There is a new, more up-to-date version with newer training methods, etc. now out that I'm told is every bit as good as this one was, so, look for that one, not this one! The Monks dvd is also excellent.

Nubs: the True Story of a Mutt, a Marine and a Miracle by Major Brian Dennis, Kirby Larson, and Mary Nethery. Have a hankie ready when you read this book. (Not to worry, it has a happy ending). When Nubs and Brian met in Iraq, Nubs had found his human ... he would track the Major across the desert to be with him again. When the order came down that the dog could not stay on base, arrangements were made to send Nubs state side.

I am a huge fan of shelter rescue dogs. If you are looking for a dog, check your local Humane Society Shelter, or, if you prefer a pure bred, with the rescue group for your favorite breed.

Reading Hermit With Dog