June 10, 2009 – I am fortunate to have Brian McLendon of Random House organize my book tours. He is superb at what he does and is cautiously finalizing the tour for “Soul Of A Dog,” which begins in August and runs through September. Some cities are certain – Seattle, Portland, Cleveland, Chicago (and the Skokie, Ill. Barnes & Noble, where I go every year and have many friends), Albany, Manchester, Vt.. Some cities likely, but still being sorted out  – Washington, Boston.
  We are zeroing in on the Pacific Northwest, good news for me, as I love Seattle and Portland. Many dog lovers, many book lovers, a fortuitous combination for me. I don’t fly the dogs that far, alas, but they will be with me in the Northeast, or some of them.
  On September 15, at 7:30 p.m., I’m going to speak at Powell’s Books in Portland.
  On September 16, at 7 p.m.,  I will be at Village Books in Bellingham, WA (360-671-2626).
  On Thursday, September 17, I will be doing a noon talk and signing at the Elliott Bay Book Company downtown Seattle (206 624-6600), and then that night, at 7 p.m., I’ll be at Third Place Books (206-366-3316), also in Seattle.
  I am pleased at the opportunity to tour on behalf of “Soul Of A Dog,” the longest I’ve worked on any book and one I’m most excited to be talking about. The book is interesting for me, fun (and no dog dies, for those who care.) In it, I explore whether animals have souls or not, using my dogs, barn cats and other animals and their lives with me. It is up for sale on Amazon, BN.com and elsewhere books are sold.
  Book tours, like everything else these days, are parceled out carefully, and I’m fortunate to have a good one.
  The tour will begin at Northshire Books (802 363-3565) in Manchester, Vt. at 7 p.m., Saturday, August 22. The following week, I’ll be at Battenkill Books in Cambridge, N.Y., and Red Fox Books in Glens Falls (518 793-5352 -the event will be held at the Glens Falls Public Library). Then I hit the road. Hope to see or meet some of you along the way, and as I know more, I’ll post the dates and the final tour will be put up on the site.