Blue Dog Love

Cajun artist George Rodrigue has painted the Blue Dog (derived from the Loup-Garou of Cajun folklore) in innumerable situations, and the dog's friendly if somewhat haunted aspect has enchanted viewers endlessly. Following Blue Dog, Blue Dog Man, Blue Dog Christmas and other titles, Blue Dog Love presents more than 50 previously unpublished Blue Dog paintings, accompanied by Wendy Rodrigue's remarks on meeting and falling in love with the artist. Sales of this book, which has a red velour cover with a heart-shaped cutout whence Blue Dog peers, should peak around Valentine's Day, but a 22-city author tour should bolster sales this fall. (Oct. 9)