“An excellent novel. A lovely and moving portrait of society’s outcasts…affirms the essential humanity of its poor and stubborn residents, for whom each day of survival is a victory” (The New York Times Book Review). Set on the high ground at the heart of Cape Ann, the village of Dogtown is peopled by widows, orphans, spinsters, scoundrels, whores, free Africans, and “witches.” Among the inhabitants of this hamlet are Black Ruth, who dresses as a man and works as a stonemason; Mrs. Stanley, an imperious madam whose grandson, Sammy, comes of age in her brothel; Oliver Younger, who survives a miserable childhood at the hands of his aunt; and Cornelius Finson, a freed slave. At the center of it all is Judy Rhines, a fiercely independent soul, deeply lonely, who nonetheless builds a life for herself against all imaginable odds. Rendered in stunning, haunting detail, with Anita Diamant’s keen ear for language and profound compassion for her characters, The Last Days of Dogtown is an extraordinary retelling of a long-forgotten chapter of early American life.

An elegant heiress. A rundown hobby farm. A rescue that captures the heart of a nation. Hannah Pemberton is ready to leave big-city life behind for bucolic Dorset Hills. It's time to settle down and find the dog of her dreams. Adopting dilapidated Runaway Farm is definitely not part of her plan. But when she learns that the property, with its quirky collection of abandoned pets, is at risk of being swallowed up by Dog Town's relentless expansion, she decides to step out of her heels and into a pair of work boots. Mayor Bradshaw welcomes Hannah's fortune back to her hometown ... until he realizes she's protecting land that's targeted for development. Political bullets start flying as Hannah tries to shelter a motley menagerie that includes a territorial terrier, a pugnacious pig and an eccentric alpaca. The city girl who doesn't even know how to drive a car gets a crash course in animal husbandry after the City turns against her. With the farm under siege, Hannah has second thoughts about rural life. But with so many creatures depending on her-and so many friends determined to help-she decides to ride it out. When it becomes clear that the mayor isn't the only one who wants to wreck Runaway Farm, a daring ploy with a twist of romance may be the only way to tackle this hairy challenge. Get your paws on Great and Small in Dog Town now! More about Dog Town... Dorset Hills is famous for being the most dog-friendly place in all of North America. People come from near and far to enjoy its beautiful landscape and unique charms. When so many dogs and dog-lovers unite in one town, mischief, mayhem and mystery abound. Every visit to Dog Town is a heartwarming, hilarious romp with a glorious happily-ever-after. The Dog Town series celebrates what long-time author Sandy Rideout loves most in the world: adorable dogs, quirky families, devoted friends, compelling stories and true love. These standalone titles can be read in any order. If you want to travel the seasons with the residents of Dorset Hills, however, here's the list: ◦ Bitter and Sweet in Dog Town (Labor Day) ‣ A Match Made in Dog Town (Thanksgiving) ◦ Lost and Found in Dog Town (Christmas) ‣ Calm and Bright in Dog Town (Christmas) ◦ Tried and True in Dog Town (New Year's) ‣ Yours and Mine in Dog Town (Valentine's Day) ◦ Nine Lives in Dog Town (Easter) ‣ Great and Small in Dog Town (Memorial Day) ◦ The Dog Town Collection (Books 1-3 Boxed Set) ‣ The Dog Town Collection (Books 4-6 Boxed Set) More Heartwarming Reads Sandy Rideout also writes smart, sassy and sweet rom-coms with Yvonne Collins. Their books include: ▪ The Black Sheep ▫ Girl v. Boy ▪ Love, Inc. ▫ Bad for Business (Love, Inc. #2) ▪ Vivien Leigh Reid Series (Acts 1, 2 and 3) ▫ Vivien Leigh Reid Collection (Boxed Set - 3 books) ▪ The Rom-Com Collection (Boxed Set - 7 books)

Rescuing this sassy dachshund would be so much easier if he were actually alive. Janelle Brighton is a psychic at a crossroads. After 15 lonely years on the run, she’s taking a vacation in the sunny south. Spending time with her beloved gran and the cute local police chief is exactly what she needs while pondering her next move. The peace ends when a local jewelry store heist leaves Janelle on the hook for murder. Someone is determined to stop this overrated, undertrained psychic from going home to face the ghosts of her past. Luckily, the ghost of her present—a cocky, chatty dachshund named Mr. Bixby—holds the key to the mystery. Can this dog and Janelle rescue each other in time to become a match for magical threats to come? Love your books with hounds, humor and homicide? Join psychic Janelle Brighton in this short prequel to a new lighthearted paranormal cozy mystery series for pet lovers. The Mystic Mutt Mysteries feature an amateur sleuth, a saucy dachshund, several ghosts and murders to solve.

These compelling, winningly illustrated true stories, each uniquely moving and inspirational, draw upon the experience of veterinarians, trainers, and volunteers to probe a range of tough, touching cases that evoke both the joy and the occasional but inevitable heartbreak that accompanies this work. Each chapter follows a dog from the first day at Dogtown until he ultimately finds (or doesn't find) a permanent new home, focusing both on the relationship between the dog and the Dogtown staff and on the latest discoveries about animal health and behavior. We learn how dogs process information, how trauma affects their behavior, and how people can help them overcome their problems. In the end, we come to see that there are no "bad dogs" and that with patience, care, and compassion, people can help dogs to heal.

An owner's guide to building a happy, healthy relationship with a dog, featuring illustrated, step-by-step instructions for training strategies and techniques based on positive reinforcement.

In the heart of Cape Ann, Massachusetts is a high flat rocky ridge which stretches from Gloucester to Rockport. The area is crisscrossed with old roads and modern hiking trails. It is best known as the location of the abandoned village of "Dogtown" with its many ancient cellar holes and numerous inspirational sayings carved into the boulders by philanthropist Roger Babson in the 1930's. The Stones of Dogtown and Beyond offers fresh insights into these well known landmarks and delves into forgotten aspects of the place's history. This guide takes a fresh look at the well known carved sayings and house numbers and reveals the unique differences in style which distinguish one carver from another. It reveals evidence of a long standing Native American presence on Dogtown Commons which has remained hidden in plain sight. It explores two 19th century granite quarries and points out examples of other stone splitting activity along the roads and trails. It delves into the mystery of Turtle Mound, a large unusual stone cairn in the middle of the former Haskins estate grounds, which is out of character with the estate's Victorian landscaping. The guide provides examples of all the subjects discussed, but it also offers each reader the opportunity to explore Dogtown and make their own discoveries.