A Dog for All Seasons: A Memoir

Sherlock, a writer and former sheep farmer, chronicles life with her clever and emotionally-intuitive Border Collie, Duncan, who herded her sheep for 16 years, supported her as she attended to grueling farm work and comforted her as her children left home and her marriage unraveled. We see Duncan as a puppy, so eager to please that he fakes peeing to get the praise he craves, to a preternaturally bright companion and working dog. Clearly the proud parent, Sherlock shares endearing moments that show Duncan's playful and tender sides-his quivering with excitement over the lawn sprinkler and snapping at the stream of water; his fear of thunderstorms and ability to detect them from miles away; his sulks at seeing a suitcase. Tender, wise, and deeply affecting, Sherlock's vignettes will make readers smile and sigh and wish for their own Duncan.