Working Dogs

Diligent, loyal, hardworking. Man's best friend. They sniff for bombs, guard against intruders, and act as eyes for the blind. They herd cattle, star in films, and brighten the faces of children. They've heroically saved countless lives and brought companionship to the lonely. Working Dogs is their story.In a series of fascinating profiles, you'll be introduced to 39 working dogs from across America. You'll meet Mango, the agriculture-detecting beagle who helps prevent unwanted pest and diseases from entering the country; Soccer, the Jack Russell terrier and star of Wishbone, the award winning PBS show about a dog who leaps into literature; and Breeze, the cancer-detecting Golden Retriever who has an accuracy rate of 100 percent.In this charming, beautiful collection of photographs and essays, you'll come to know about the lives of special dogs who have become an indispensable part of our world. While their work may be as varied as the careers you'd find in any small town, these dogs have more in common than you may think. What they share is the reason for doing the work. Dogs work for their supper. They work in order to play. But mostly, dogs work to keep the people they love happy.From herd dogs to earthquake-predicting poodles, from police K-9s to performance artist divas to the two basset hounds from Russia who work in a nonprofit circus—just to make kids happy—this captivating book is a delightful tribute to those canine professionals who make our lives a little better.About the AuthorCarrie Owens, whose best friend throughout childhood was a poodle, is a writer from Los Angeles, where she has also worked as an animator, pyrotechnician, and baby photographer. She's currently working on a novel. She lives in the Hollywood Hills with her husband, daughter, and two unemployed dogs.