Home, as we all know, is where the dogs are. In this September issue, we look at the idea of “home” from many angles, including home delivery of professional services and home-insurance companies’ breed restrictions. And let us not forget homecomings: U.S. soldiers on a relief mission in Haiti fall for a stray pup, a hunter in Hawaii takes in a stray (who perhaps wasn’t) and—in the second of our three fiction-contest-finalist stories—a man without a home rejoices when a dog finds one. We also look at the challenging topic of animal hoarders: those who can do irreparable harm to the animals they take in.

We excerpt Gail Caldwell’s new must-read memoir, Let’s Take the Long Way Home, in which she shares the story of her abiding friendship with Pack of Two author Caroline Knapp. Reader-inspired DIY home-design projects, and more, round out our take on things domestic.

Have you ever wondered if your dog could make it into the Ivy League, or the movies? Amy Sutherland’s “certified” Harvard dog, and Lorraine Goodman’s feature-film-appearing Tiger, show you how two dogs did it. In the latest installments from our behavior mavens, Patricia McConnell tells us what to do when pats and praise aren’t the positive reinforcements we think they are, and Karen London gives us 10 ways to increase our dogs’ happiness quotient. And Victoria Stilwell answers your question about a dog who might have a “greeting disorder.”

All that and so much more to gives you some food for thought and enjoyment. Catch us on Facebook [3] and Twitter [4] too.

FEATURES
The Talent Awaits His Big Moment: [5] Rescue dog scores a feature part and aces his lines. By Lorraine Goodman
Make Your Dog’s Life Better: [6] 10 Ways for Improvement. By Karen London, PhD
Home Deliveries: [7] A growing number of professionals nationwide are bringing services to our doors. By Julia Kamysz Lane
Certain Dogs Allowed: [8] Insurance companies’ breed-restrictions burden home-owners and renters. By Sheila Pell
Hoarders: [9] Putting “their” animals at risk. By Rebecca Wallick
Dogs in the Morning: [10] A Definitive Essay. By Stephen Kuusisto
Pack of Four: A memoir pays homage to a remarkable friendship. By Gail Caldwell
Aloha Laka: [11] A hunter’s stray welcomes a new life. By Bruce Cherry
Street Dog: [12] Homeless man’s gracious gesture to his companion. By Shawn Kobb
Where I Hang My Hat: [13] What would a home be without a dog? By Meghan Daum

DEPARTMENTS
[Doggerel] [14] The Origin of Dog Sayings. By Alysia Gray Painter
[Talking Training] [15] Does Your Dog Have Greeting Disorder? By Victoria Stilwell
[Q&A with Elizabeth George] [16] Inspector Lynley’s author talks “dog” with us
[Second Opinion] [17] Looking Past a Label. By Nick Trout, DVM
[Organizations That Matter] Gateway Pet Guardians: Helping the Street Dogs in East St Louis. By Lisa Wogan
[Activity] [18] Hiking with Small Dogs. By John Hovey
[Howl] [19]Teacher’s Pet: Boning up for Harvard. By Amy Sutherland
[Behavior] [20]Both Ends of the Leash: Rewards Redux. By Patricia B. McConnell, PhD
[At Home Portraits] Photographers Winnie Au and Jennifer Becker focus in on domestic scenes
[Book Reviews] Let’s Take the Long Way Home [21], One Dog at a Time [22], A Modern Dog’s Life [23], Feed Your Pet Right [24]

DOGPATCH
Colorama—really big photos!
DIY Readers tips
Editor’s Picks: Stylish solutions
Cleaning Confidential [25] by Tom McNulty; Housekeeping Grab Bag
Smiling Dogs
Homecoming: [26] Molly from Haiti
Family Dog; Pick of the Inns [27]; Finding Toto [28]
Kit’s Corner [29]; Deluxe Dog Digs

Plus, Web Exclusives [30]!