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
About the Author: After being Honorably Discharged from the Navy (submarine service), Rich Holtzin has lived in the West and Southwest for over four decades. Earning three academic degrees in Eastern and Western Philosophy, for some thirty years, he made a living as an outdoors educator and interpreter teaching a variety of geosciences, human, and natural history geared to the Colorado Plateau Province. Additionally, Rich was a professional studio and stage musician and taught guitar and music theory, including composing two soundtracks for the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Parks; a high school Educational Assistant and Substitute Teacher; a Commercial Pilot flying a variety of aircraft; a professional Photographer; a GPS surveyor and Topographical Mapper for the U. S. Forest Service; a Planetarium Control Room operator; a museum docent; and the Coconino County Sheriff's Office. What Rich is more enthused about, however, is serving in the role of an Interpretive Guide and Educator for the Grand Canyon Field Institute (a National Park Service endorsed outreach program (http: //bit.ly/1D6YS1u). He was also an instructor at Northern Arizona University and Yavapai College (respectively, Flagstaff and Prescott), as well as the owner of a Southwest eco and cultural tourism enterprise. Fairly recently, he became the Executive Director of a think tank in Albuquerque, based on astronautics and aerospace S.T.E.M. classroom projects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), including the co-author of a math-lab book based on rocketry (www.stemfortheclassroom). For more of RICH HOLTZIN'S backstory, peruse his website under his legal name: www.richholtzin.com He also writes books under the nom de plume, RK ALLEMAN, as published on his other Amazon Author's Page.