Stumpi de Chelly, a Res Dog Saga

By Rich Holtzin

Abstract: A genre fiction novel about res (rez) dogs on the Navajo Reservation. These homeless strays are forced to mooch meals from campers because it's the only means to get fed. Stumpi de Chelly, who takes his name from this picturesque national monument near Chinle, Arizona, is the principle whose canine community of affable mendicants on paws watch over him because he affects a sage, calm presence in their lives. Written for the young adult to older adults, the storyline is also based on salient details about res dogs, engendering awareness for their daily plight, as well as promoting humanity. By their nature, many res dogs exemplify unique traits to capture a camper's attention, and some, like Stumpi, who resort to outlandish postures to do whatever it takes to get a handout. That said, the novel's literary depiction is also based on disconcerting facts of res dog medical ailments and common nutritional deficiencies. Typically, their chances for survival are slim, especially during the colder, winter months when campers are few and far between. The average lifespan of a res dog is also a mere 3 or 4 years Drawn from a personal encounter, I first met a mongrel some years ago on this national monument, and my heuristic observations of this somewhat unkempt res dog with an alluring personality eventually spawned this narrative written in his honor, the so-named Stumpi de Chelly. Accordingly, this tale about tails has a surprise, happy ending for the community's most unassuming res dog in search of a forever home. Hence, an anecdote predicated on reality and not just a fabricated yarn about the exacting life all res dogs endure. As a retired educator and instructor for the likes of the Grand Canyon Field Institute, most of what I did for a living for some forty years entailed teaching various geosciences, natural and human history, environmental sciences, zoology, mathematics, and assorted published writings. My travels in this part of the Southwest also entailed conducting some classes throughout the sprawling Navajo Reservation where scores of res dogs are found. (365 pages 7 x 10 format)For more background, on the Amazon website, click on the synopsis or go to my website, www.richholtzin.com

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 198185942X
• ISBN13: 9781981859429
• Release Date: December 2017
• Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 372 Pages
• Weight: 1.42 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 7.0" x 10.0"