Come on in—the reading’s fine. If you’re looking for inspiration, you’ll find it in stories about a cross-country rescue, how one man instigated a puppy mill bust, how children learn kindness and how a Texas terrier is lending a nose to help endangered sea turtles. Looking for ways to save money? We have tips on stretching your vet dollars as well as recipes for tasty home-cooked meals. Bark behaviorists Patricia McConnell and Sophia Yin give us the inside scoop on the differences between male and female dogs and a lesson plan for sidewalk scavengers. Plus pup-friendly cars, Pablo, Pixar, Percy and much, much more.

FEATURES
Gender Gap [3]—Do male and female dogs learn differently? By Patricia McConnell
Ranger Ridley [4]—A Texas terrier helps a species threatened with extinction. By Andrew Guthrie
Teaching Kindness [5]—Children learn to become animal advocates. By Rikke Jorgensen
Dog & Driver [6]—How to find the perfect car for your perfect pup. By Maureen McDonald

ESSAYS & POETRY
A Rescue Trip [7]—Holly and Kit come home. By Claudia Kawczynska
In Tribute—Chip. By Brian Stauffer
Team Building [8]—An anxious dog learns to weave. By Robert Rodi
Two Percy Poems—By Mary Oliver
Love, Squared [9]—By Laurie M. Knight

DEPARTMENTS
[Masterwork] Pablo Picasso—Language takes form. By Susan Greenberg Fisher
[Profile] Lily Tomlin [10]—The legendary comedian stands up for animals. By Alysia Gray Painter
[Media] Pixar’s Up [11]—The new animated film is brimming with dogs. By Barbara Robertson
[Training] Leave It! [12]—A lesson plan for the sidewalk scavenger. By Sophia Yin, PhD, MS
[Assistance] Two for the Road [13]—Guide dog helps his partner navigate the course. By Brad Crawford
[Classics] Antiquity’s Working Dogs—Terracotta and marble guardians. By Catherine Johns
[Safety] Playing It Safe [14]—Choose toys with more than fun in mind. By Sheila Pell
[Humane] Busted [15]—Confronting the realities of puppy mills. By Jan Rodak
[Recipes] Cheaper Eats [16]—Home cooking can help you feed ‘em well for less. By Roschelle Heuberger, PhD, RD
[By the Numbers] Eight Training Trends [17]—What’s new with the dog pros? By Karen B. London, PhD
[Vet Advice] More Bark for Your Buck [18]—Stretch those vet dollars. By Nancy Kay, DVM
[Reviews] Dogs: History, Myth, Art [19]; Heroic Measures [20]; Wild Justice: The Moral Lives of Animals [21]; Do-It-Yourself Agility Equipment [22]; Dog On It [23]

DOGPATCH
Editor’s Essentials [24]—Walking gear.
Global Good [25]—Poochie-Bells extends a hand.
Cook ‘Em Treats [26]—Kits make it simple to treat them right.
Handy Helpers [27]—Spin a tick, treat a sting, do the Heimlich.
Cover Dog [28]—Meet sweet Charlotte, our Southern belle.
Tail Chasers—Is it habit or is it health?
A Man and His Dog [29]—The legendary Jean-Paul Belmondo’s canine co-star.
Smiling Dogs—A new crop of pleased-as-punch pups.
Family Dog [30]—The mythic Derby.
Show & Tell—Canine capers.

PLUS
Web Extras [31]—Good stuff we couldn’t quite fit into our June 2009 issue.