Conversations With Raika

The story of Raika begins several years after she retired from a noteworthy career in the world of competitive dog sports. Now that Raika and her owner no longer spent hours a week training, playing and traveling, she was left with relatively little to do. As a result, her life transitioned from one of working to one of eating, and eat Raika did! Unfortunately, all of that eating led to a serious weight problem, and she wasn't about to take responsibility for her mom's guilt-driven negligence: In the process of losing that weight through long daily walks, we find ourselves privy to Raika thoughts on everything from the weather to human frailty to the importance of living life to the fullest. While mom is initially unable to hear Raika's thoughts, she slowly comes to appreciate life through the eyes of her elderly dog. She also comes to accept that time is short. "Raika, last night I had a dream. In my dream, you were trying to talk to me?.it was so clear what you were trying to say...No amount of walking, or changing of diets, or listening...could make you young again?.You wanted me to let you go...I know that your time will come. It is inevitable." And so begins the second part of the story as the pair begin to engage in dialogue. Raika presents her perspective on the irrational nature of human behavior and emotion with a blunt matter of factness that startles...and then thoroughly charms, with her sense of humor and keen awareness of the human condition. The reader is held with a deep and growing affection for the pair, even as the inevitable effects of aging take their toll and we work our way closer to the end of Raika's life. Here we have a uniquely memorable story that leaves the reader with a sense of acceptance on the topics of life, aging, and death. A reader can find comfort and wisdom in the face of deep loss and grief, laughing through their tears all the way to the end.

An epic new fantasy romance from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author C. L. Wilson After three long years of war, starkly handsome Wynter Atrialan will have his vengeance on Summerlea's king by taking one of the man's beautiful, beloved daughters as his bride. But though peace is finally at hand, Wynter's battle with the Ice Heart, the dread power he embraced to avenge his brother's death, rages on. Khamsin Coruscate, Princess of Summerlea and summoner of Storms, has spent her life exiled to the shadows of her father's palace. Reviled by her father, marriage to Wintercraig's icy king was supposed to be a terrible punishment, but instead offers Kham her first taste of freedom—and her first taste of overwhelming passion. As fierce, indomitable Wynter weathers even Khamsin's wildest storms, surprising her with a tenderness she never expected, Kham wants more than Wynter's passion—she yearns for his love. But the power of the Ice Heart is growing, dangerous forces are gathering, and a devastating betrayal puts Khamsin and Wynter to the ultimate test.

The core of your training and your ultimate performance rests on engagement - on having a dog that wants - demands to work with you. This book is about building that relationship through reinforcement, motivation, and clear criteria.

Russian History professor Alexis Caldwell, an American, has no idea when she arrives in Leningrad she would be caught up in an escape plan so heart researcher, Mikhail Berensky can defect to the United States. A hunt in the Caucasus Mountains is the cover for this dangerous venture. When she meets Mikhail she is stunned by his handsome looks. Mikhail is quite taken by Alexis and when they find her room has been burglarized by the KGB Mikhail decides to protect her and escort her around Leningrad. In doing so, they fall passionately and deeply in love.

For entrepreneurs, pitching is do or die. To succeed with your startup, you must persuade investors, advisors, customers, and other potential partners to join you on your journey. It can be intimidating, but First Pitch is here to help. Based on her experiences as a marketer, entrepreneur, and educator working with hundreds of founders, Debi Kleiman shows you how to perfect a compelling and memorable pitch designed to impress. Using easy-to-follow frameworks, stories, and best practices honed by analyzing a thousand pitches, you'll discover what works, and how to build the relationship and communication strategies you need to get your new venture to the next level. First Pitch takes you through the various early-stage funders and pitch situations you might encounter so that you feel confident and ready for anything. In First Pitch, you'll learn the best ways to get investors and other key startup influencers to take notice and jump on board.

Uses the case of India's migrant shepards to critique the social science understanding of markets, states, and communities.

Train your dog to deal with distractions