I learned that playing stick fetch calms Maia’s anxiety though! After a couple of throws she was back to her calm body language and able to sniff and explore, and not be velcroed to my leg.

Every night I have been reading a few pages of Brenda Aloff’s book, “Canine Body Language”, and I am amazed at how much more I am able to understand when I watch my dogs. I highly recommend this book if you want to learn more about dog language.

2010 (71)

December (6)

• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows* by JK Rowling
• Bad Luck and Trouble* by Lee Child
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince* by JK Rowling
• Tripwire* by Lee Child
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix* by JK Rowling
• Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein

November (7)

• Holiday With Violence* by Ellis Peters
• A Bear Called Paddington* by Michael Bond
• Paddington at Work* by Michael Bond
• Paddington at Large* by Michael Bond
• Death of Figaro* by Ellis Peters
• The Knocker at Death’s Door* by Ellis Peters
• Voyager* by Diana Gabaldon

October (4)

• Try Tracking!** by Carolyn A Krause
• Don’t Shoot the Dog!** by Karen Pryor
• For the Love of a Dog** by Patricia McConnell
• Inside of a Dog** by Alexandra Horowitz

September (3)

• How to Be the Leader of the Pack by Patricia McConnell
• The Cautious Canine by Patricia McConnell
• Dragonfly in Amber* by Diana Gabaldon

August (9)

• Widow of Jerusalem* by Alan Gordon
• Last Chance to See by Douglas Adams and Mark Carwardine
• Without Fail by Lee Child
• Running Blind by Lee Child
• One Shot by Lee Child
• Nothing to Lose by Lee Child
• The Enemy by Lee Child
• N or M?* by Agatha Christie
• The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson

July (7)

• Death’s Jest-Book by Reginald Hill
• Dissolution* by CJ Sansom
• Blood Memory by Greg Iles
• Thunder on the Right by Mary Stewart
• My Brother Michael by Mary Stewart
• The Spellmans Strike Again by Lisa Lutz
• Die Trying by Lee Child

June (8)

• Killing Floor by Lee Child
• The Moonspinners by Mary Stewart
• The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
• Revenge of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz
• Running Blind by Lee Child
• Tripwire by Lee Child
• The Bancroft Strategy by Robert Ludlum
• Bad Luck and Trouble by Lee Child

May (3)

• Curse of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz
• The Other End of the Leash* by Patricia McConnell
• The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz

April (1)

• The Mother Tongue** by Bill Bryson

March (10)

• Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
• Crooked House* by Agatha Christie
• The Patriotic Murders* by Agatha Christie
• Holiday for Murder* by Agatha Christie
• A Death in the Venetian Quarter* by Alan Gordon
• Control Unleashed** by Leslie McDevitt
• Peril at End House* by Agatha Christie
• Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella
• The Magic Circle* by Katherine Neville
• Intervention by Robin Cook

February (7)

• Little by Little** by Jean Little
• Coma by Robin Cook
• Sins of the Fathers* by Susan Howatch
• Yin Yoga** by Paul Grilley
• It Sucked and Then I Cried** by Heather B Armstrong
• The Brightest Star in the Sky by Marian Keyes
• Jester Leaps In* by Alan Gordon

January (7)

• The Forgery of Venus* by Michael Gruber
• The Book of Unholy Mischief by Elle Newmark
• The Book of Air and Shadows* by Michael Gruber
• The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
• The Perfect Poison by Amanda Quick
• Absolution* by Caro Ramsey
• An Irish Country Doctor by Patrick Taylor

* denotes a book I have already read
** denotes a non-fiction book

Rugaas’ book is very short with lots of pictures. I have already learned all these signals from other books but it’s nice to have them all in one place as a short go-to guide. The thing that is irritating me about the book is how she has stories about dogs who have dog-dog problems. These dogs come to meet her and her ‘magic’ dog who gives them calming signals and then 10 minutes later this dog is running around with 10 other dogs, happy as can be. I guess living with a reactive dog means I come at this from a particular place but really – if your dog has issues so severe you are taking him to see a behaviourist, chances are your dog is not fixed from one meeting with a well spoken, clearly enunciating dog.

I’m looking forward to looking through Aloff’s book. I already have her photographic guide to aggressive dogs which has been helpful. When I told Dana, my agility instructor, that I was getting Aloff’s book she told me that the owner of the dog daycare she works at got the book so the employees could learn more and then she invited me to come watch the dogs at the daycare one day! I’m really excited about that because now that I understand dog language better I find it fascinating to watch.

I did a bit of training tonight with the gang. I admit that I am lazy about doing regular training but I want Bosco to learn the basics and of course Maia has to get equal time. Bosco and I worked on eye contact when I said his name, ‘doggy zen’ (not taking treats until told ok), and me handling his paws in preparation for nail clipping. Maia and I worked on her head bob, her 2o2o contacts for agility (we use the bottom of the stairs) and also handling her paws. Dana can clip Maia’s nails no problem but I would like to get to the point where I can do it as well.

Funny moment of the evening: Bosco was playing with a squeaky Cuz and he kept bringing it over to me to throw it for him. He dropped it on the ground but lost sight of it and decided that my mandarin orange, unpeeled and sitting on the coffee table, was a good substitute. Funny boy!

My last package of books arrived today, with the beginning tracking book. I’ve started reading through it and I think it is going to be really fun to do with Maia. I may put it on hold until next spring, though, because the author says it’s easiest to start new tracking dogs when it’s not raining and let’s be honest – it’s going to rain from now until May in Vancouver!

I also got the Really Reliable Recall and I’m going to be starting that immediately. Maia is pretty good with her recall when we are out on the dyke but I want to tighten it up. Especially because of her reactivity – I never let her off leash anywhere except the dyke, and when I see people I immediately call her and leash her up but I want to feel more confident that she will listen, even if people surprise us and ‘come out of nowhere’.

In work news, I have my review tomorrow. Technically I’m not due for about five weeks but my manager is on top of getting them done. I can’t believe I’ve been back at work for almost six months already. And here I am, still floating in limbo. I really like the amount of responsibility I have at work right now because I am good at what I do, and highly respected by my coworkers, but when I leave I don’t have to take any of it home with me. If it paid better, life would be good. As it stands, I think I’m going to have to kick my ass into gear pretty quick or end up in the red.

I don’t understand why no one will grant my wish to be independently wealthy …

Due to arrive shortly:

• Help For Your Fearful Dog by Nicole Wilde (especially because I will be going to see her in May)
• Try Tracking! by Carolyn Krause
• Mine! by Jean Donaldson
• Click to Calm by Emma Parsons
• Do Over Dogs by Pat Miller
• Tales of Two Species by Patricia McConnell

In other news, only tangentially related in that it also involved credit cards, I am now the proud(?) owner of a brand new muffler and catalytic converter. My car no longer rattles, which is good. The new muffler is guaranteed for the life of the car, which is also good. I made another connection to a business in Maple Ridge – also good. Amount on the credit card … not so good.

But you know what makes it better? Getting packages in the mail full of books.

2. What is your favourite drink while reading?
Tea or water.

3. Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you?
I will mark non fiction books if I feel it’s necessary, but not fiction.

4. How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ear? Laying the book flat open?
‘Bookmarks’ (anything from a receipt to a scrap of paper to a post-it) or book darts if the book doesn’t belong to me. I’ll dog-ear if it’s mine, or I just remember the page number.

5. Fiction, Non-Fiction, or Both?
Predominantly fiction, although I have been getting into reading about dog physiology and dog training recently.

6. Are you a person who tends to read to the end of a chapter, or can you stop anywhere?
I can stop anywhere, which is useful because I read everywhere – waiting at the doctor’s office, on my breaks at work, if I’m early for an appointment … but I prefer to stop at the end of a chapter.

7. Are you a person to throw a book across the room or on the floor if the author irritates you?
I tend not to read books where the author irritates me. I don’t know if that makes me discerning or just lucky. I will stop reading a book if I’m not enjoying it. There are too many books out there that I want to read to want to waste time on a bad one.

8. If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop and look it up right away?
I don’t remember this ever happening in a book, but I do that when reading on the internet. Usually diseases that I am not familiar with.

9. What are you currently reading?
Don’t Shoot the Dog! by Karen Pryor, Inside of a Dog by Alexandra Horowitz, and Voyager by Diana Gabaldon.

10. What is the last book you bought?
Inside of a Dog is the last one to arrive out of my batch that I ordered from Amazon

11. Are you a person that reads one book at a time, or can you read more than one?
Ha – see above! Yes, I can read more than one at a time.

12. Do you have a favourite time/place to read?
In bed before I go to sleep but I can and do read anywhere.

13. Do you prefer series books or stand-alones?
I don’t have a preference. Some of the best books I’ve read have been stand alones and some series have been fantastic.

14. Is there a specific book or author you find yourself recommending over and over?
Guy Gavriel Kay is one of my favourite authors. I have never met anyone else who has read his books so I have never been able to talk about them with anyone else but I love his writing style so, so much.

15. How do you organize your books? By genre, title, author’s last name, etc?
I have categories – fiction, travel, school, environmental, comics, dog training, and borrowed – and within those categories they are organized by author’s last name. I can put my finger on any book on my bookshelves in seconds. Having my books organized is one of my feelings of ‘home’.

• How to be the Leader of the Pack by Patricia McConnell
• For The Love of a Dog by Patricia McConnell
• Feeling Outnumbered? by Karen London and Patricia McConnell
• Don’t Shoot the Dog! by Karen Pryor
• a Sudoku variations book

I’m so excited to dive right in! And I still have more coming!

(No, it’s not my birthday yet – October 15th is the magic day. But I had a fit of book buying a couple weeks ago and justified it to myself as birthday presents. )

2009 (88)

December (4)

• The Rich are Different* by Susan Howatch
• Funeral of Figaro by Ellis Peters
• Death Mask* by Ellis Peters
• The Knocker on Death’s Door by Ellis Peters

November (5)

• The Black Tower by PD James
• The Dark Shore* by Susan Howatch
• The Death of Ivan Ilych* by Leo Tolstoy
• Never Pick Up Hitchhikers!* by Ellis Peters
• An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon

October (7)

• Ysabel* by Guy Gavriel Kay
• The Darkest Road* by Guy Gavriel Kay
• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon
• Borrowed Time by Robert Goddard
• Never Go Back by Robert Goddard
• The Wandering Fire* by Guy Gavriel Kay
• The Summer Tree* by Guy Gavriel Kay

September (8)

• Arbonne* by Guy Gavriel Kay
• Easy to Kill* by Agatha Christie
• Dead Man’s Folly* by Agatha Christie
• Past Caring by Robert Goddard
• Third Girl* by Agatha Christie
• Thornyhold* by Mary Stewart
• The Man in the Brown Suit* by Agatha Christie
• A Prayer for Owen Meany* by John Irving

August (6)

• Mrs. McGinty’s Dead* by Agatha Christie
• Endless Night* by Agatha Christie
• The Grave Tattoo by Val McDermid
• Call Waiting by Michelle Cunnah
• Black is the Colour of my True Love’s Heart by Ellis Peters
• The Distant Echo by Val McDermid

July (8)

• Beneath the Bleeding by Val McDermid
• The Clocks* by Agatha Christie
• Crooked House by Agatha Christie
• Final Edition by Val McDermid
• A Place of Execution by Val McDermid
• Lord of Chaos* by Robert Jordan
• Emily’s Quest* by LM Montgomery
• Emily Climbs* by LM Montgomery

June (4)

• Emily of New Moon* by LM Montgomery
• Never Pick Up Hitchhikers! by Ellis Peters
• Holiday with Violence by Ellis Peters
• The Fires of Heaven* by Robert Jordan

May (7)

• The Shadow Rising* by Robert Jordan
• The Bloody Tower by Carola Dunn
• The Dragon Reborn* by Robert Jordan
• Tuesdays with Morrie** by Mitch Albom
• The Great Hunt* by Robert Jordan
• The Eye of the World* by Robert Jordan
• Mrs McGinty’s Dead by Agatha Christie

April (11)

• The Secret of Chimneys* by Agatha Christie
• The Cater Street Hangman by Anne Perry
• The Whitechapel Conspiracy by Anne Perry
• Fool’s Fate* by Robin Hobb
• The Gift of Fear** by Gavin De Becker
• Half Moon Street by Anne Perry
• Passenger to Frankfurt* by Agatha Christie
• Reckless* by Amanda Quick
• Golden Fool* by Robin Hobb
• Death Mask by Ellis Peters
• The Piper on the Mountain by Ellis Peters
• Sparkling Cyanide* by Agatha Christie

March (11)

• City of Gold and Shadows* by Ellis Peters
• A Nice Derangement of Epitaphs* by Ellis Peters
• Flight of a Witch* by Ellis Peters
• Fool’s Errand* by Robin Hobb
• The Boomerang Clue* by Agatha Christie
• Ship of Destiny* by Robin Hobb
• Mad Ship* by Robin Hobb
• Ship of Magic* by Robin Hobb
• A Breath of Snow and Ashes* by Diana Gabaldon
• The Fiery Cross* by Diana Gabaldon
• Drums of Autumn* by Diana Gabaldon

February (6)

• The Big Four by Agatha Christie
• Seduction* by Amanda Quick
• This Charming Man* by Marian Keyes
• Desire* by Amanda Quick
• Rendezvous* by Amanda Quick
• Reckless* by Amanda Quick

January (9)

• The River Knows by Amanda Quick
• Second Sight by Amanda Quick
• The Paid Companion by Amanda Quick
• Billions and Billions** by Carl Sagan
• Mute Witness* by Agatha Christie
• Murder at Hazelmoor by Agatha Christie
• Dead Man’s Mirror by Agatha Christie
• Thirteen at Dinner* by Agatha Christie
• Voyager* by Diana Gabaldon

* denotes a book I have previously read

** denotes a non-fiction book

(x) denotes a book I have already read this year but have read again, and it is not counted toward my total

Today I did, and I walked out with 6 books. Who is surprised? Not me! It’s such a classic used bookstore – the bookcases go so high that there are step-stools scattered around; the floorboards squeaked gently as I browsed along the shelves; and that smell of used books – it’s indescribable but one of my favourites.

I don’t tend to buy mysteries because they are less enjoyable to reread, if I remember ‘whodunnit’. However, I have been slowly collecting Agatha Christie books by only buying them at used bookstores for a couple bucks each, and I have rediscovered an amazing author, Ellis Peters, whose prose is so enjoyable to read that I don’t mind rereading her stories. Brown’s Books (can the name be any more apt?) had a bunch of Ellis Peters, meaning I had to restrain myself from purchasing all of them.

It will be nice to stroll down there once every couple of months and add a few more treasures to my collection. I have 362 books so far – it explains buying the extra bookcases yesterday. They are getting delivered this afternoon and then my office/library will be complete!