Book of the month: Born to Bark

Stanley Coren’s books have always been my “first love” with regard to books on dog history and behavior. I own and have read every single one of them, and use them often for reference. The author never ceases to regale me with tidbits about dogs throughout history, and each book teaches me something I didn’t know. Born to Bark, a personal account of the author’s life and relationship with Cairn terrier, Flint, is no different.

In this book, the author steps deeper into his storytelling role, welcoming the reader into his own personal life and sharing memoirs about every dog he has ever had, starting from birth and centering around acquiring, raising and training Flint (who says a Carin terrier can’t show in obedience?), and balancing the relationship between Flint and Coren’s second wife, Joannie. This book, is as warm, funny, enlightening and entertaining as its predecessors. Readers will relate to Coren’s relationship with Flint, and enjoy reading about the pair’s misadventures. A great read, though I found the events that transpired re: the author’s first wife and first Cairn terrier, Feldspar, very distressing, and I really didn’t care for second wife, Joannie’s, attitude regarding Flint.

It definitely was nice to finally get to know all of the dogs in Coren’s life, though in some instances, I learned more about the author than I wanted to know.