“A Basset named Issac” is a weekly book-type blog about dogs that teach people how to love. Stay tuned for more by visiting the homepage each Monday.
Chapter 1: How Isaac Got His Name
How it all began, and how Isaac turned out the wonder dog he is. Introducing Marshall, the old wise pug, the op’s mastermind.
Chapter 2: Shark, Isaac’s Best Friend
Who is Shark, Isaac’s best friend? A stray corgi dog with a weird sense of humor and a sad past.
Chapter 3: The Troublemaker and the Student
Meet Pixie, a female Spitz that will play a crucial role in Isaac’s next endeavor to teach humans love.
Chapter 4: Demure, the Night Club with a Poorly Chosen Name
The critical place of the main event – a nightclub in Isaac’s neighborhood where Daniel and Charlene go often.
Chapter 5: Juicy Gossip in the Hood
Daniel, the aggressive bad boy with painful nightmares, and Charlene, his naive self-victimized colleague.
Chapter 6: The Dog That Didn’t Trust People
Why Shark doesn’t trust humans anymore?
Chapter 7: Matias, the Argentinian Traitor Farmer
How come a wonderful domesticated farm life turned into street wondering for Shark?
Chapter 8: The Inception of Isaac’s Ingenious Plan to Turn Things Around
Dogs full of love inhabit humans? But what does that mean?
Chapter 9: Isaac Extends the Olive Branch
Isaac and Pixie befriend – from adversaries to teammates.
Chapter 10: The Cohabitation Experiment
Can Isaac, Pixie, and Shark heal hearts under Marshall’s guidance?
Chapter 11: Two Human Knuckleheads in a Desperate Need of Dog Help
More about the story of Charlene and Daniel, and the role of Marshall’s wisdom in all of it.
Chapter 12: Daniel’s Drinking and Violence Problem
Daniel: a fragile soul behind a tough exterior.
Chapter 13: Training Pixie
Marshall trains Pixie. She learns as a pro and she needs to do so because the big night is just a few hours away.
Chapter 14: The Twelve Principles of Love
How dogs love and what humans need to learn from them: starting with the twelve principles of love.
Chapter 15: Third and Fourth Principle of Love
Love now and love with no expectation.
Chapter 16: Pixie Flourishes as Her Heart Grows Bigger
As Pixie and Isaac prepare to inhabit Charlene and Daniel, a seed of fondness between them turns into something deeper.
Chapter 17: Love is Not Magic, It’s a Decision
Infatuation is not love – dogs know that, but do humans?
Chapter 18: Love through the Eyes of Innocence
How to feed your love by looking at it with new eyes each day and with gratitude.
Chapter 19: “Stop Calling Me, Mom!”
Where does Charlene’s self-victimhood originate from?
Chapter 20: The Night Daniel’s Tears Ran Dry
A devastating childhood and an alcoholic father – how did Daniel build a shell around his heart?
Chapter 21: Pixie is Ready
Pixie learns all twelve principles of love and gets closer to Isaac.
Chapter 22: Phil, the Autistic Boy, and Shark Bond
Shark meets Phil and his dad, the vet.
Chapter 23: Charlene Pulls Off a Lauren Bacall for the Big Night
Char and Jo arrange to meet for the Friday night fun in the “Demure”.
Chapter 24: Daniel Finds Sadness Again
Daniel is on his way out to the club when he notices a pair of eyes that persistently stare at him from outside his apartment.
Chapter 25: Charlene Falls in Love with Pixie
A car crash that could have been a tragic accident has happy aftermath.
Chapter 26: Charlene and Daniel Meet at the “Demure”
Leaving the vet’s clinic. The Friday night finally starts for Daniel and Charlene with an unexpected twist.
Chapter 27: Charlene and Daniel Meet at the “Demure” – Part 2
Work colleagues reverse roles in the club.
Chapter 28: Pixie’s pack is Left without a Leader
Shark is worried. Drunk people and hungry dogs aren’t a good combination.
Chapter 29: The Night of the Big Fight
Things aren’t exactly going according to the plan.
Chapter 30: The Telepathy between Two Dogs and Two People
The unbreakable bond between a couple of dogs and a couple of humans starts shaping.
Chapter 31: Hungry Dogs and Angry People
A night turns sad.
Chapter 32: An Out-of-the-Blue Visit to the Vet’s Clinic
To the vet, for the second time in the same night.
Chapter 33: Lover at Loss for Words
Silence surrounds lovers as they struggle to speak in face of an awful night.
Chapter 34: The End of the Long, Life-changing Night
The long night is over, and things start unravelling.
Chapter 35: Charlene Finally Realizes Her Mom Is a Narcissist
The sudden sharp pain when enough is enough.
This is the final chapter of “A Basset Named Issac” published as a weekly blog column. There is now a book in the making based on these chapters. The book is expected to be ready in 2022!
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