"Harry: A Wilderness Dog Saga" by Chris Czajkowski

Chris signing books at the new Powell River Library.

Earlier this month I shared about having author Chris Czajkowski as a guest at my condo here in Powell River. She was on her new book promotion tour and was schedule to make a presentation at our new Powell River Public Library.

You can read more about that visit by clicking here.

As a thank you for being her host, she gave me a signed copy of her new book Harry: A Wilderness Dog Saga. Since her visit I've had time to to enjoy this wonderful new book.

Chris is a prolific writer about wilderness adventures. So far she has published a dozen titles about her rustic life in the Chilcotin region of British Columbia.

Dogs are an important part of Chris' life. They are of course companions, but also work in their wilderness home. Each one was trained to carry packs to help Chris reach her Nuk Tessli wilderness resort. Now that she lives on a homestead closer  to (but not in) town, they still carry loads on solo hikes or excursions for guests.

Harry isn't Chris' first book written from a dog's point of view. Lonesome: Memoirs of a Wilderness Dog took the reader through the early years setting up and running the hand-built Nuk Tessli resort. Now Harry and his companion Badger continue the saga.

Chris has had many dogs over the years. The book begins with Harry traveling to the homestead via airplane and a long van ride. When they arrive, he mets his new pack mate, Badger. Older and wiser, and after a shaky start, Badger took the young Harry under his wing and started to tell the tale of the other dogs that had shared Chris' life.

In addition to Harry and Badger, Chris' current canine companions, you'll meet Nahani (Badger calls her a piece of work) and Lonesome (who was with Chris at the beginning of her wilderness adventures). You'll experience the rustic resort Nuk Tessli and meet Taya (a former sled dog) and Sport (Taya's pack mate) followed by Max (the puppy) and Ginger (of two nasty habits). As one dog left, another arrived. Next was Tessa from the SPCA, but when she didn't work out Bucky (Bucket Head) took her place. Then Raffi had to be rescued from a "rescue" agency. Next came the move from the mountains to the homestead at Ginty Creek. Bucky had to leave for a new home and Nahani arrived, then Badger and finally Harry. And now we've come full circle.

Badger, Harry and the other dogs who tell the tales have a good sense of humour, interesting names for the critters and things they encounter, and tell the story of Chris' life in a unique way. You can purchase Harry (and Chris's other books) online at Harbour Publishing, Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, in BC bookstores and on BC Ferries. -- Margy