Show Dog - The Charmed Life and Trying Times of a Near-Perfect Purebred by Josh Dean. The book follows Jack as he matures over the course of a year, from still-improving adolescent to seasoned adult show dog. We get to know him and the people around him--his owner, his handler, his breeder--to experience what it's like to own a show dog and to train one. And we come to appreciate him for what he is, a lovable and intelligent house pet--albeit one with a highly unusual occupation. Shelley L. Rhodes, M.A. CVRT and Ludden black Labrador Guide Dog. In a library we are surrounded by many hundreds of dear friends imprisoned by an enchanter in paper and leathern boxes. -Ralph Waldo Emerson, writer and philosopher (1803-1882)