As summer’s not-so-lazy days give way to autumn’s cool breezes and falling leaves, we delve into good work being done here and abroad. We tell you how amazing, life-saving “disaster” dogs are identified and trained, what’s being done to help street dogs in an island paradise and about the perils of breeding for looks. We also talk it up with three dog-loving writers and find out the part pups play in the writing life of a Tony Award–winning playwright. But wait—there’s more! New fiction, good advice, helpful how-tos and dogs in costumes. What are you waiting for? Dig in!

FEATURES
An Organization That Matters [3]—The National Disaster Search Dog Foundation. By Lisa Wade McCormick

Bali’s BAWA [4]—Working on behalf of the island’s street dogs. By Twig Mowatt

The Cost of Perfection [5] —BBC’s Pedigree Dogs Exposed caused an uproar. By Beverley Cuddy

BARK TALKS WITH …
Lesléa Newman, Hachiko Waits—Writer brings beloved Japanese story to America. Interview by Suzanne Strempek Shea
David Wroblewski, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle—The man behind the bestseller considers the human/dog relationship. Interview by Claudia Boynton
Alexandra Horowitz, Inside of a Dog [6]—Inspired by her dog, researcher explores the nature of canine cognition. Interview by Claudia Kawczynska

DOG LIT
Essay: The Strangest of Angels—Dogs are playwright’s collaborators. By David Rabe
Fiction: The Dogs Go Too [7]—Blue jeans, bluegrass and faithful friends. By Murray Dunlap
Poetry: Puppy By Richard Oyama

DEPARTMENTS
[Activity] Halloween Pups on Parade [8]—Dogs in costumes! By Lee Harrington
[Therapy] The Canines of Kents Hill—A convivial prep-school pack. By Suzanne Strempek Shea
[Behavior] Fear in Dogs—Where does it begin? By Patricia B. McConnell, PhD
[Wellness] Can Diet Overcome DNA? [9]—Scientists investigate the new field of nutrigenomics. By Sophia Yin, DVM, MS
[Art] Pictures in an Exhibition [10]—Max Miller’s canine kaleidoscope.
[Vet Advice] The Right Tack [11]—The latest intel on bloat. By Patty Khuly, VMD
[Special Needs] Dogs Like Any Other—Living with blind and deaf dogs. By Karen B. London, PhD
[Endpiece] How I Found My Dog Bessie. By Kristi M. Cameron

DOGPATCH
Getaways—North Carolina’s Barkwells, a great Fall retreat.
Tricks of the Trade—What’s in a dog-loving travel writer’s bag?
Dance Project—Pilobolus’s enchanting shadow dogs.
Pug Mugs!—Q&A with photographer Jim Dratfield
Household Helpers—Simple “how-to” tips.
DIY—Make a crate cover [12].
Good Reads for Kids—Classic to contemporary.
Kit’s Corner—The office pup’s product picks.
Kibble—Bite-sized news & views.
Show & Tell—Tales of two species.
Family Dog—Dog love, then and now.
Smiling Dogs—Miles of smilers.

PLUS [13]—Think you can write? Check out Bark’s fiction contest!