Adventures with Ari: A Puppy, a Leash & Our Year Outdoors

Maine author Kathryn Miles, in Adventures with Ari: a puppy, a leash, & our year outdoors, is an outstanding contribution to both environmental awareness and animal behavior enthusiasts in Maine and abroad. Her relationship with Bung Ari Jang Gab ("Ari"), a Jindo/husky shelter "love child," unfolds in an expertly written 12-month memoir. Readers journey through Maine landscapes and the depth of love that one feels for both the earth and our canine companions. It is little surprise that Ms. Miles writes well. She is assistant professor of environmental writing at Unity College in Maine. Perhaps not surprising, but adding to her quality, is her ability to write expressively and with conviction and passion but also deliver a book talk that would capture the attention of any audience. Highly recommended for all types of libraries, every veterinarian office coffee table, and in your own collection. ~Sonja Plummer-Morgan, Librarian

Throughout this book, you will probably do at least one (if not all) of these things: laugh out loud, ponder thoughts philosophically, wipe away a tear (or two), retreat to the nearest nature space (or at least want to), be inspired to make a difference, pause to appreciate relationships (whether human or animal), investigate a new topic further, and more. By allowing us to join her in the month-by-month journey spent looking at life through the most beautiful ice-blue puppy dog eyes, Kathryn Miles helps us see that there is so much more to the world than our human perceptions. This being said from a non-animal-loving reader - a most enjoyable book for all!

I really liked this book. It was easy to read, very informative, and full of touching examples any dog owner would recognize. I liked the monthly set up which helped you remember the age of the puppy and the seasonal influences. The view of nature and the various references to the works of experts in dog training, anthropology, biology, and geology really gave me a new appreciation not just for the relationship of an owner and her puppy, but also the surroundings and neighbors.

Going into a new book, especially an author's first book, I try to not have any expectations. It was even difficult getting to the first page, having been captured by the photos of Ari on the cover, back and even side of the book. That said, I was already baited to read about Ari's life. Mordecai Siegal said -Acquiring a dog may be the only opportunity a human ever has to choose a relative. How true that is, but I also feel our pets choose us. Reading how Kathryn Miles went from never owning a dog to being a reluctant doggie stepmother to an owner is a brilliant metamorphosis. Without giving too much away, Ari got her attention and approached her as if to say I'm the one! Ms. Miles listened and acquired what her own mother lovingly later referred to as her grand-dog. Ari leads the author bounding by leash and sometimes by hand through a world seen through her own blue eyes. Ari's enthusiasm and curiosity for life is to be admired and envied. Through the year we spend with her we experience joy, frustration, loss, patience, and heartache. The constant remains love. I admit to wiping some tears, laughing aloud, and reading parts aloud to my husband. The author is very funny. How many of us haven't thought of renaming our dog Puddles at some point? What is learned from this ball of fur makes me grateful to Ari and to my own pup. They know, see, and teach us more than it seems we could ever teach them. We just have to be present and listen. I'll end my review with a quote by another author I have found brilliant since childhood, that really says it all. Happiness is a warm puppy - Charles Schultz.

Even with so many dog books out there to choose from, this one holds its own, mainly because of its seamless blend of biology and cultural history, all delivered through the intelligent and upbeat narrative voice of a true dog lover watching her true love blossom across her first year with this remarkable canine companion. Miles coins the term "canine naturalism" and with it a unique perspective for anyone with an interest in environmental writing and coming to a better understanding of our natural world, starting from the fascinating wild creatures who share our homes. You'll fall in love with them both. I sure did.