Lonesome: Memoirs of a Wilderness Dog

Monika Rohlmann is an environmental consultant in Victoria, B.C.

Chris Czajkowski is a wilderness dweller by trade, with her work as
writer, artist, and eco-tourism operator paying the bills. This is her
fifth book, but it is the first to be told by her dog, Lonesome.

From a dog’s-eye view we learn about the hardships and joys of
roughing it in the bush. The experiences are not always rewarding,
especially when you’d rather live in the suburbs, away from wild bears
and other beasts. But the human who shares her living space is kind and
generous, even if she is a little fanatical about keeping to her simple,
solitary life.

While it is useful to consider the challenges and concerns of our
canine friends, it is a difficult thing to put their thoughts and dreams
on paper. Lonesome was Czajkowski’s life partner and, though unable to
speak words, she ably performed the tasks of listening, reflecting, and
supporting her companion’s needs. When the quiet end came, a void of
silence threatened to swallow the dog’s life, snatching away the
thousand moments of dog and master experiences. To honour and preserve
Lonesome’s memory, Czajkowski wrote the dog’s memoirs. It is curious
how, even in her absence, Lonesome serves as a sounding board for a life
lived apart from others.