AustLit

'The Shadow Dog is Anthony Hill's heart-felt tribute to his dog Sebastian ... a quite well-bred German short-haired pointer who suffered one terrible defect.

'He was black. And black is not permitted. So the breeders dumped Sebastian as a six-week-old puppy in a drain outside the Canberra pound...

'Sensitively illustrated with ink and wash drawings by Andrew McLean, another dog lover, The Shadow Dog is in part an elegy, as Anthony takes his dog on their last walk together ... through the gate and into the paddock where Sebastian used to chase tennis balls ... among the pine woods and up the track through the bush to the top of Dog Hill ... and down again.

'But it is also a song of joy known by everyone who has owned and loved a dog ... as Anthony remembers the pup coming home and being mothered by the old dog Sandy ... going to obedience school ... learning his manners ... chasing sticks and swimming in the lake ... becoming the family's devoted companion through nine years.'

Source: Author's website.