Red is always working for me. Sunday, we drove to Chester, Vt., for a reading of “Second Chance Dogs,” and a talk about writing, rural life and the human-animal bond. It was brutally cold and windy but a large crowd made their way to the beautifully restored Universalist Church, the event was sponsored by Misty Valley Books.

While people came in from the cold, Red started working the room. This dog, who did not even live in a house until a little more than a year ago, fits into my world as if he has grown up there. When he goes to readings, he works the room, he goes up and down rows of chairs, says hello, offers his paw, if I left the room people would not have minded, as long as Red was there, he is the most wonderful dog.

The talk and signing was great, a good crowd, thoughtful and intelligent questions, the kind of reading I most love. I thank Misty Valle Books for arranging. My next reading will be at Northshire Books,  Manchester, Vt., at 7 p.m. Friday, December 6. Red is coming along there too.