Tales of the Dismal Swamp by A. Everette James, Jr.; 2000. Softcover.

A man and his dog--is there any closer relationship? A dog is a faithful companion, one who is eager to please and asks for only the most basic of creature comforts in return. Yet we can learn much from our dogs, if only we take a moment to study what they are trying to tell us.

A. Everette James, Jr., has spent hours listening to the things his dog, Mr. Grady, does not say while learning from how he interacts with his environment. He reveals Mr. Grady's insights in his forthright and often humorous book, Tales of the Dismal Swamp .

Investigating such facets of everyday life as dealing with obstacles, taking time for recreation, navigating around difficult people, and bolstering one's friendships, James blends elements of southern culture and idioms while presenting a journal of his appreciation for a special canine.

James goes on to share what he has discovered about the bonds of love between family members through his life with Mr. Grady and explores how he has taught James to judge a person based upon their actions and character and not how they appear.

Framed with keen descriptions of people and events, Tales of the Dismal Swamp truly tells how to learn almost everything about life from your dog.