“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 team mates.
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 Daniel built 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 as 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 a 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 unraveling.
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 edited and illustrated book is expected to be ready in 2022!
If you are interested in getting updates about its progress, sign up below.
