Renowned canine therapist, Dr. Sparkus T. Mutt, helps disgruntled canines, some frustrated felines, and a few homo sapiens who seek his advice on how to make do and enjoy life outside the doghouse. Most people think the world is going to the dogs, and they are probably right. However, if we must live a dog's life, we might as well enjoy it; and that is precisely the attitude Dr. Sparkus T. Mutt has. Sparky, nicknamed for his sharp wit and his bright sense of humor, is a seasoned mutt with years of experience in the ways of the world, which just happens to be canine. He earned his dogtorate at the Canal Zone Canine College and did his internship as a canine therapist for the pet population near the Corozal Vet Clinic in the Republic of Panama. Now that he is semi-retired from chasing garbage trucks, he spends his time answering letters primarily from canines, felines and homo sapiens who seek his advice. He calls his letters Lessons in Assertiveness, but Sparky's wisdom is universal, humorous, and even touching - no bones about it! This is a special collection of canine wisdom that will help you come out of the doghouse and enjoy life as you should!    Excerpt Lesson 37: Jet Setter Dear Dr. Mutt, I'm an Irish Setter, and I had the most horrible experience of my life. My master accepted a new job across the country, and we flew to our new home. When he first talked about this transfer, I was so excited. I have always dreamed of travel. Well, no longer. My enthusiasm frosted over when we got to the airport. My master flew inside the cabin, and I went CARGO! It took me three days to thaw out, and I thought I'd never be able to eat again! I've slowly gotten back my land legs, and my appetite has returned. Just thought I'd share. Traveling is not all it's cracked up to be. Crated in Cargo Dear Crated, The big question is DID YOU GET FREQUENT FLYER MILES? If not, no amount of discomfort is worth it! Until we have our own Canine Airbus, then we're at the mercy of the masters. Sorry you suffered. Sparky

Professional Reviews
Woof, woof, WOOF-WOOF-WOOF! a book review by Eric Jackson, Editor, The Panama News, August 25-September 14, 2002, www.thepanamanews.com
If you are a a regular reader of the fun section of The Panama News, you will have read some of this book. You will of course notice the canine perspective, and if you're a bit more perceptive you will catch the educator's ethic of the editor, Pat Alvarado, who taught in the American schools down here for many years.

From the point of view of a newspaper editor with a history degree, this work revives memories of the writings of Archie anad Mehitabel, the cockroach and cat who wrote on the typewriter of the late journalist Donald Robert Perry Marquis (1878-1937) at night. For a kid who was advanced at reading, the Archie and Mehitabel stories stood out as rare non-boring highlights in a usually tedious elementary school literary education.

Thus "It's a Dog's Life" is one of those books that you might want to give to a kid who's having no problem learning to read, to whom you want to impart the lesson that it's fun to read. Let's not dismiss this work as kids' stuff, however. The vocabulary isn't "dumbed down." The themes are universal, and, like the best of TV cartoons, the jokes are on several levels. Like Rocky and Bullwinkle's confrontations with Boris, Natasha, Fearless Leader and Mr. Big; or like Bugs Bunny calling a square dance, this is humor that adults will enjoy along with kids, often for different reasons. This layered style also makes "It's a Dog's Life" a good book of bedtime stories for parents to read to a younger child who isn't yet literate.

This could be the breakthrough book for Panama's little band of English-language writers. It's the sort of thing that very well might end up in school libraries throughout the English-speaking world. It could be the most notable dog's eye literary work since James Thurber's time. That, of course, largely depends on the vagaries of the global publishing oligopoly, which if this book catches on would be bidding for the rights to put out a much larger-run edition than Piggy Press can afford.


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Reader Reviews for "It's a Dog's Life so you might as well enjoy it! Lessons in Assertiveness by Dr. Sparkus T. Mutt, Canine Therapist"

Reviewed by Julie Donner Andersen	1/31/2008
What a unique idea for a book! The title is eye-catching and arouses one's curiosity. Sure to be a best seller! Julie
Reviewed by Pamela	12/10/2002
Sparky is great, his responses are wise beyond his dog years but tinged with the irreverence of a "tinacker" - you gotta love him! (You know what I mean Pat =)
Reviewed by Frances V. Angers	12/3/2002
As a licensed professional counselor for "two legged creatures", I have picked up a few tips from Dr. Mutt. It's sometimes difficult being a human bean!!! Thanks Sparky --- keep up the good work
Reviewed by Cinnamon the Siamese	12/3/2002
I'm a cat, not a dog, but religion aside, I found Sparky's book excellent. I have to share the house with a large Bengal cat named Spots and he pretty much sits down wherever he feels like -- including on me. But with assertiveness training and a careful reading of "It's a Dog's Life" I learned lessons I can apply in the cat world too. Today, thanks to Sparky's advice, I'm Queen of the Heating Pad!
Reviewed by shafique khaskheli	12/2/2002
Good job.
Reviewed by Andrea	12/2/2002
I'm the illustrator. I got to work closely with this piece of excellent work and its creator. I also know by first hand experience that these stories are based on real dogs' lives, which makes the stories more funny. Toward the completion of the project, I realized that my problems should not be taken so seriously. And if I have to get on all fours and lift that leg up and squirt and tell my problems and their makers to piss off, then my will be done.
Reviewed by Sparky	12/2/2002
All modesty aside, I have to give myself a ten. My philosophy: Venture forth and smell the garbage for all it's worth! Treasures lurk in the strangest of places! Don't just make do, for life is grand and you should enjoy it!

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