Dogs with Jobs

I was amazed by every exploit from every dog in this book. I was impressed by Bruno the German Shepherd who has assisted and protected his partner who is a police officer on 800 arrests half involving dangerous felons. This same dog has found 9 lost children 3 of whom no one else could track. I loved the story of Willie the golden retriever who predicts epileptic seizures and protects his owner from harm. This dog was trained to operate a footpad telephone in case of an emergency This incredible dog will even bark to remind his owner to take her medicine. I liked the story of AJ the bloodhound and Rachel the pet detectives. AJ is a former police dog who found a missing Alzheimer's patient, rescued a lost hiker and earned an award for saving the life of suicidal man. AJ is now teamed up with Rachel a Weimaraner a dog who searched for cadaver and body parts. She uses her sniffing skills to help AJ locate missing pets. I enjoyed the story of Mas the Newfoundland who can swim a mile to a drowning person and tow them to safety. This dog is strong enough to pull a sailboat filled with people to safety. There are other dogs in this book like Endal a Labrador retriever who assists a man in a wheelchair by doing everything from reminding him to look both ways when crossing the street to retrieving socks, groceries and even money. You will enjoy the stories in this book even if you don't own a dog.

The stories in "Dogs With Jobs" are fascinating, the photographs are beautiful, and the variety of the types of jobs that these dogs have is just amazing. Maybe I'm biased because my two pet detective dogs are featured in this book (my weimaraner Rachel & bloodhound A.J. are trained to track missing pets)--but I doubt it. I think ANYONE who truly loves dogs will absolutely love this book!

We just received our copy of Dogs With Jobs and find the stories heartwarming and informative. They are true to the television series, yet contain additional information not shown in the TV segments. We know because our story is one described in the book. Willie gives the book his pawprint of approval!

Dogs with Jobs is fascinating reading. It is a well crafted accumulation of stories of the astounding abilities of working dogs and their owners. It also offers insights into behavioural origins of those abilities that any dog owner or admirer will find valuable. As I completed each story, I found myself simultaneously amazed at what I had just read and eagerly anticipating the next chapter. The book as a whole reminded me of the essence and breadth of human-animal interactions. Veterinarians and animal behaviourists currently extol the human-animal bond. Hundreds of thousands of dollars are spent in researching the interactions between dogs and humans. Yet the focus of that effort centers mainly on the dog's role as companion and relationship surrogate in modern society. This role is important, as people become more isolated from one another and from the natural world in the fast-paced technological environment that we inhabit. However, the bond Ms. Weisbord and Dr. Kachanoff describe is based on mutual respect and reliance that in many ways is a more authentic and complete depiction of the anicent link between people and dogs. I look at my nine-month-old Labrador, Molly, and see the ability to find avalanche victims of rescue drowning swimmers. As I rise and head toward my running shoes, she senses my intent and eagerly goes for her leash. In a way it's a shame we are both relegated to modern suburbia. But it is somehow comforting to be reminded that she and perhaps by association, I am capable of much more. What I appreciate about Dogs with Jobs is that it helped not just to entertain me but to remind me of her capabilities and my own.

Award-winning author Merrily Weisbord and her daughter, veterinarian Kim Kachanoff, have captured the drama, beauty, and sheer determination of working dogs from around the world. Including career dogs in SAR, arson detection, seizure alert, marine detection, and many more. Beautifully illustrated with lots of great colour and black and white photos, this book is an educational and uplifting addition to the working and sporting dog enthusiast's library.