Yellowdog

Book excerpt: Debra Marlin began photographing dogs nearly eleven years ago, documenting their romps and rambles along the rustic byways and sum-dappled beaches of Martha's Vineyard, and capturing their ever-endearing spirit in her moving images. In each of her photographs, she conjures up the everyday joys of a dog's life - naps on the porch, frolics in the water, gambols along the lane, runs on the beach - and captures the distinct personalities of Sonny, Lake, Tucker, and Breaker, her four lovely golden boys. With a text that celebrates their life together and movingly recounts Marlin's ordeal when Sonny, her beloved pet and first golden, suddenly died, Yellowdog is a heartfelt paean to the special bond between dogs and humans.