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Harry lives the wild life in new book

Arts news: All-Original Orphans' Thanksgiving tickets still available
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Wilderness Saga Chris Czajkowski has written 11 best-selling books about her life off the grid. photo submitted

Chris Czajkowski is a wilderness dweller and bestselling author — so sometimes the world has to encroach as she shares her work with it.

"I couldn't handle living down here. I wouldn't be able to handle it," she says.

"People tell me that I am brave to live in the wilderness (she says she lives between Williams Lake and Bella Coola), but I feel I am brave to go to the city. The noise, and stink and crowds would make me miserable."

Czajkowski is promoting her new book, Harry: A Wilderness Dog Saga, a story about her unconventional and off-the-grid life (of nearly 40 years), told entirely from the point-of-view of her gregarious and lovable pack dog, Harry.

"I've been writing books for over 35 years, and I already had used one of my dogs, Lonesome, to tell a story 13 years ago. Harry is about nine and I thought it was about time for a sequel... about all the other dogs in my life," she says.

In the book, Harry goes on an adventure and reminisces about his life with her and the other dogs in his life — wise Badger, beautiful Ginger and literary Lonesome. They all live in an area accessible only by float plane, and encounter grizzlies and cougars as a matter of course.

This is her 11th book about wilderness living.

Czajkowski is reading from her book at the Squamish Public Library on Thursday, Oct. 12, at 6:30 p.m. and at Pemberton Public Library on Friday, Oct. 13, at 7 p.m. She hasn't taken her dogs on book tours for years, but this time they will be accompanying her.

"Harry is the main star and Badger is his understudy, so I thought it would be good to bring them along. Everyone who meets Harry immediately falls in love with him," she says.

"Poor Badger. He has his good points, but he's not quite so charismatic. He's a bit old and doddery."

Copies of Harry: A Wilderness Dog Saga will also be on sale for $22.95.

For more information, visit www.harbourpublishing.com.

Tickets available for Thanksgiving at The Point Artists-Run Centre

Tickets are still available for the All-Original Orphans' Thanksgiving, which takes place at the The Point Artist-Run Centre on Saturday, Oct. 7.

Along with a full turkey dinner (or vegetarian option), music will be provided by Gordo (Gord Rutherford), Venus Envy and Northern Ignition.

Tickets for both dinner and music are $30 for adults, $20 for kids 12 and under; show only is $15, and $10 for 12 and under.

They can be purchased at Armchair Books or online at www.thepointartists.com.