Enlightenment doesn't always come in the form we expect. It need not appear as a self-styled guru or a complicated theory measuring some mysterious quality. Sometimes it's as close as the chocolate Lab bounding happily through the backyard or the lovable terrier contentedly curled up in one's lap.
In the foreword to this thoughtful examination of enlightenment, Dr. Bernie Siegel sums it up: "Dogs are healers. They are enlightened. They seem to have figured out how to live beautifully so much better than we humans have." In these pages, distinctive black-and-white dog images by acclaimed animal photographer Zachary Folk are illuminated by captions of down-to-earth spiritual wisdom "from" the dogs to us, their often confused humans.
A delightful romp through canine philosophy, this charming collection celebrates the simple wisdom and that special combination of natural earthiness and subtle spirituality that characterize humankind's best friend. In these pages, distinctive black-and-white dog images by acclaimed animal photographer Zachary Folk are illuminated by captions of down-to-earth spiritual wisdom "from" the dogs to us, their often confused humans. Beth Wilson works with nonprofit organizations doing fundraising, marketing, and program management. For Andrea Hurst Literary Management, Beth works as a developmental editor and book evaluator for authors and publishers. She has a degree in English with a focus on nineteenth-century British literature. Beth lives in Northern California and supports several local animal charities, such as the ASPCA. One of her deepest yearnings is for a little brown Yorkie. The work of highly acclaimed Seattle photographer Zachary Folk can be seen in galleries, calendars, product packaging, and advertisements worldwide. His portfolio may be viewed on his website, www.folkphotography.com. He has a passion for travel photography and spends time photographing in Ireland, Vietnam, Thailand, England, and the western United States. When he began to point his lens toward subjects of the canine variety, he found great pleasure and has spent the past several years trying to capture the beauty and wonderful personalities of dogs. He has always had a deep respect and love for all living things, and his educational degrees in wildlife biology and anthropology give him the holistic understanding and perspective needed to see and photograph his subjects. He spends about four months each year doing biological fieldwork, chasing and photographing owls in Northern California. "Anyone who has experience the unconditional love of animals should remember that it is a profound real-life lesson worth applying to the rest of our lives. The Lazy Dog's Guide to Enlightenment is a welcome reminder."
