Animal Happiness

In contrast to her tone in earlier books ( Adam's Task and Bandit ), Hearne exhibits a lighter side in this collection of animal tales. She writes about dogs of many breeds and accomplishments, including her own Airedales. There are stories about cats, horses, ornamental carp, a pet scorpion and tortoises. One section profiles advice columnist Josephine Trainer, the Miss Manners of dogdom. In a more serious vein, Hearne discusses naming dogs and mourning their deaths. She takes issue with Ludwig Wittgenstein on lions and language, visits a troupe of performing orangutans in Las Vegas and articulates her complex position in regard to the animal rights movement. The book is a treat for animal lovers. Many of these pieces first appeared in the Los Angeles Times Magazine. (Jan.)