A Canine Connection

A new series on dogs delves into complex human issues with warmth and compassion.

- Diana Wichtel

If a dog comes into your life, declared my partner, with uncharacteristic Zen-like serenity, embrace it. So Trick, English bull terrier cross with one brown ear, saved by a son from a doomed South Island farm litter, became a member of the family for over a decade. He insisted on befriending everyone, even lifelong dog-haters, lounging against their knees panting companionably until they gave in. He shed his body weight in coarse white hair all over the house every day and cost us a fortune. When he died, we were broken-hearted.

Still, in an age awash with time-wasting YouTube animal videos, do we really need a six-part Netflix series called