Dog People

A novel by Cris Mazza May 1, 1997 • 6 x 9 • 288 pages • 978-1-56689-055-7 Mazza’s bizarre ’90s characters communicate better with their dogs than their lovers. Rich detail, dramatic conclusion! Six individuals have the ability to communicate with humans; three turn to their dogs for solace. Mazza uses canine training philosophies and behavior in a story in which a fascist dog trainer, lesbian dancer, ineffectual interior designer, and a love-starved caterer spend time in Southern California’s green, eucalyptus-scented parks learning how to interrelate without biting. As marriages crumble and careers falter, Doreen and Fanny join forces to create a dog/wolf hybrid. Along the way, Fanny comes to realize the banality of her life stems from her expectation that intimate relationships will compensate for her failures. After sex therapy with her husband Morgan, a near affair with prima dancer Renee, and a friendship-turned-romance with her employer, Fanny breaks free and takes back control o