Madcap Dogs: Revealing Their True Glory was a Finalist in the 18th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards in the Animals & Pets Category. These 14 adventures explore the relationships that dogs have with their families and show how their exuberance and vitality can transform lives. Notable stories concern a mischievous Boston terrier who no one understands, an energetic sheepdog-mix competing in an agility contest, a feisty bulldog and his pack that take over a campground, a spunky pug and fortuneteller who conduct seances, a robust blue-tick hound whose bold behavior threatens to rip a family apart, playful toy dogs whose wacky and wonderful antics influence owners, a lost pet that pulls a family together in desperation, and a fearless Dalmatian helping a crew of firefighters. In these lighthearted, Southern-set small-town tales, dogs are emotional bridges for people in crisis; they surprise their human companions in easy, delghtful ways. In "Ain't No Fence High Enough," a greyhound is sold by his tyrannical owner to a dog fighter, only to escape and make his way to a girl in need of a furry friend. In "Caveat Emptor," an attorney makes an excellent impression on his formidable boss when he reveals that the lessons he applies in litigation were learned from his ferocious pooch. In "Unpredictable Blue," a hunting dog, loathed by his owner's wife, makes a life-saving discovery. And in the folkloric entry "The Bear of the Bog," a bear falls in love with a human on a hike. The prose is efficient and flush with humor. In the entertaining short stories of Madcap Dogs, guileless canines get into situations whereby the depths of their people's complicated lives are plumbed. -- Foreward Reviews Chandler's prose is pleasantly conversational, light on linguistic complexity, and easily accessable for the early range of YA readers. Through a mixture of adventure, humor, and a touch of pathos, the dogs will win over readers completely; they're the innocent, albeit frequently rambunctious, conveyers of important lessons in love, loyalty, and compassion. In more than one story, they're also detectives and life savers. In others, their behavior exposes the human frailities and insecurities hiding behind pompous exteriors. With intermittent tense moments that keep the pages turning, the stories are upbeat and, happily, do not require an acompanying box of tissues. --Kirkus Reviews Ron Chandler's Madcap Dogs, a collection of 14 short stories, depicts the lives of dogs and the people responsible for their care. In "Harlequin," a Great Dane named for the pattern on its coat, is feeling unloved and, escaping from the backyard, soon finds himself lost. The family searches for "Harley," papering the area with photos and the promise of a reward. But as time passes, the family fears their beloved pup may have met an untimely end. In "Geese Feathers," a boy returns from a hunting trip with a new appreciation for wildlife, and in "Pugnacious," a sly fortune teller recruits her Pug's assistance to carry off various escapades. The author's knowledge of and affection for canines inform the stories, generally bringing a smile with the outcome. -- Blueink Review Ron Chandler offers readers and dog lovers a collection of stories that fascinate, inspire, and entertain in equal measure and, by the end, leave you with a sense of genuine affection for dogs and their ability to change lives. Madcap Dogs is heartwarming, bittersweet, and hilarious. These stories will tug at your heartstrings in many ways as you follow different adventures and storylines featuring dogs as central characters in the narrative. This is a gem of a book for short story readers. -- Readers' Favorite