Understanding Tippie

Many of the same characters involved previously involved in the activities at the Riverview Animal Shelter return in this fifth book of the series.

Border Collies are among the most intelligent of dogs. Tippie is the offspring of a brilliant Border Collie, Trixie, and an adventuresome neighborhood dog of unknown pedigree. Tippie puts her combination of smarts and guts to good use in this installment.

In this, her fifth novel about the dogs and humans at the Riverview Animal Shelter, Helen A. Bemis also details the training of canine service dogs, while she tells the story of the first years of an experimental Kids’ Camp at the Shelter.

The challenges in training these dogs and their young handlers are added to by the worrisome presence of a stranger, the visit by a possibly rabid fox, the loss of a pet cat, Pretty Girl, and the revised plans of two teenagers who find themselves in love with each other after years of friendly competition at the Camp.

From the author: “In my many years of teaching dog obedience, I have discovered that not all humans understand what their dog is trying to tell them. I’ve enjoyed my opportunities to teach classes on dog communication (the body language of dogs). My goal has always been to reach a wider audience, which publishing my books will allow.

“I’ve always enjoyed telling stories. I have discovered that stories can help us to learn and remember valuable information. I hope the reader will find these stories entertaining and informative.”

This is the fifth in her multi-book series, following UNDERSTANDING SASSIE; UNDERSTANDING SASSIE, II; UNDERSTANDING CHAMP, and UNDERSTANDING TRIXIE. Readers can enjoy each without having read the others. All five novels combine upbeat personal stories with insights about training dogs with love.