BARNEY and BONES, about one Irish Wolfhound and one cadaver dog, comprise another Helen A. Bemis doggie double-header, two novels in one book:
Irish Wolfhounds are big, among the largest of breeds. The American Kennel Club (akc.org) describes Irish Wolfhound dogs as follows:
"The calm, dignified, and kindly Irish Wolfhound is the tallest of all AKC breeds.
"Once fearless big-game hunters capable of dispatching a wolf in single combat, Wolfhounds today are the most serene and agreeable companions.
"The amiable Irish Wolfhound is an immense, muscular hound gracefully built along classic Greyhound lines, capable of great speed at a gallop. A male might stand nearly 3 feet at the shoulder and weigh up to 180 pounds. Females will run smaller but are still a whole lot of hound....
"IWs are too serene to be fierce guard dogs, but just the sight of them is enough to deter intruders. IWs are characteristically patient with kids...."
If you want an even-tempered giant dog that no one will want to test by bothering you, and if you can care for it, an Irish Wolfhound may be exactly right. Your food bills are likely to be gigantic, though.
Barney's story combines many of the endearing qualities of these gentle giants.
Bones, not quite as big as Barney, has a bigger job: cadaver dog. His sensitive nose and training made him a canine Sherlock Holmes, a solver of mysteries, one somewhat more lovable than Dr. Watson's wizard. What does Bones smell? You'll discover it in this second novel in Helen A. Bemis's two-for.
Helen Bemis has enjoyed working with dogs all her life. She is grateful for the opportunity to help others understand these loving companions.
She grew up on a dairy farm in Upper New York State. She obtained a college degree at SUNY Adirondack, earned the Certified Professional Dog Trainer international certification, and has a successful business, K-9 Karing. Helen has published over a dozen novels in her UNDERSTANDING... series.
She loves to hear people say, "Helen has gone to the dogs."
