Born to Bark: My Adventures with an Irrepressible and Unforgettable Dog

Coren (Why Does My Dog Act That Way?) shares the often amusing and always instructive stories of life with Flint, his oversized Cairn terrier. For the author, a trained researcher and psychologist, the preternaturally heroic and intelligent Flint, capable of rescuing kittens and apparently able to read and count, was key to unlocking a new way of looking at canine behavior and human relationships with dogs. Coren discusses canine behavior (particularly barking) and how to train and socialize man's best friend. He also shows how Flint cares for those around him—from offering heartbreak therapy to saving a four-legged pal from an aggressive raccoon. Coren closes his chronicle with insightful theories on canine intelligence, letting Flint's behavior illustrate key points as he totes out lingerie in front of guests and repeatedly hits the answering machine playback button to listen to his absent master's voice. More than just an entertaining story about doggie escapades, this book offers valuable advice on loving and living with our canine pals, even when they chew and bark when you least want them to. (Nov.)