A heartwarming meditation on the powerful presence of dogs in our lives and the transformative lessons they can teach us about love, loyalty, grief, and more“When in doubt, walk your dog” is the first of many valuable maxims in Dog Lessons, a heartfelt reflection on what dogs can teach us when we open ourselves to listen and learn. After sixty-plus years living and working with dogs, Hersch Wilson shares self-deprecating stories and lighthearted musings on...

“Be brave. Be kind. Fight fires.”That’s the motto of firefighters, like Hersch Wilson, who spend their lives walking toward, rather than away from, danger and suffering. As in Zen practice, firefighters are trained to be fully in the moment and present to each heartbeat, each life at hand. In this unique collection of true stories and practical wisdom, Wilson shares the Zen-like techniques that allow people like him to stay grounded while navigating danger, comfort...

Here we are speaking with a volunteer firefighter/EMT who is committed to revealing how first responders can guide us in ways to act more effectively in our own lives. With insightful and practical wisdom he advises, and it is his experience, that it is helpful to approach life’s inevitable emergencies with the intention to remain calm and act creatively.

"The world is a very narrow bridge. Cross it with a dog.""When in doubt, walk your dog" is the first of many valuable maxims in Dog Lessons, a heartfelt reflection on what dogs can teach us when we open ourselves to listen and learn. After sixty-plus years living and working with dogs, Hersch Wilson shares self-deprecating stories and lighthearted musings on a life filled with fur-covered furniture, unexplained messes, and destroyed property. The resulting...

In this 2023 conversation with Justine Willis Toms, multi-talented Hersch Wilson reminds us that dogs are the best kind of teachers because they teach us just by being themselves. He describes the undiluted love of a dog when we come home after an absence, “You can have a stressful day but having a dog greet you just changes everything.” Dog and cat companions have much to teach us if we take the time to pay attention and open ourselves enough to listen and learn.“One ...