Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

This book is a must read for anyone who has a dog, is thinking about getting a dog, or just wants some incredible insight into canine behavior and the natural environment. Kathryn Miles does a tremendous job of taking the reader along for the ride as she details her life over the course of a year with a newly adopted puppy. Along the way, she details the bumps and bruises associated with opening up your heart and home to a dog, and also the joys of letting go and allowing a dog to help you see the world in a totally different light. Following the nose of a puppy, Kathryn Miles encounters a range of experiences within the natural world and seizes the opportunity to explain the scientific reasoning behind these events as they explore the Maine outdoors. Not only that, but we also are allowed to observe how this new family member is able to help her owners gain a sense of belonging within their new community. Overall, this is an outstanding book that I would highly recommend!

After reading the introduction to Adventures with Ari, I was hooked. Kathryn's passion and personality ring true throughout the story, and reading about Kathryn and Ari growing (physically in Ari's case and emotionally in Kathryn's) throughout the year is woven perfectly with biological facts, cultural anecdotes, and forays into canine (wild and domestic!) behavior. This book starts out as "confessions of a reluctant-then-enthusiastic dog owner", but through Kathryn's patience and Ari's penchant for exploring the natural world around them both, it ends at a mutual understanding, and respect, love, and appreciation for the environment and the people (two and four-legged!) that they share it with. It almost reads as a letter a mother would write to her child as she watches her grow from unruly child, to awkward teenager, to accomplished (and still a little unruly) young adult. [...]

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

Everyone has noticed a huge splurge in dog based memoirs, but Kathryn Miles creates a new twist with her "canaturalist" partner Ari, as they explore their backyard of the Maine woods. If you've ever been to Maine you can appreciate her detail and if you have never been then you will want to go due to the enthusiasm and curiosity that Miles writes with. Kathryn's writing and Ari's hijinks make for a wonderful read and a book you won't want to put down.

This is a must read for all dog owners, and dog lovers!! Our favorite canines have so much to teach us. Ari will warm your heart and keep you turning the pages long into the night. A really fun read!

Adventures with Ari is a rich blend of love, companionship, nature, sense of place, history and science. Kate Miles artfully combines these facets to explore puppydom and its interaction with the natural world. We can all learn from out pet and Miles cheerfully demonstrates these; how to run in the woods, how to meet and greet friends, how to grieve...
I loved this book and recommend it to anyone interested in animals, historical and mythical legends, partnerships, the environment, and New England.