BUSTER AT THE WALL: A Golden Retriever Looks at Life, Love, and Death  FREE USA SHIPPING

By Buster with Assistance from Roger W. Hite, Ph.D. Santa Cruz, CA: Tobias Press, 1994. ISBN1-881591-11-5, 143 page paperback. The Grand Scheme of Things enabled a Golden Retriever named Buster to bump into a woman named Debby. It also enabled Roger to bump into Debby. Thus, it seemed inevitable that Buster would bump into Debby. Thus, it seemed inevitable that Buster would bump into Roger. That was all The Grand Scheme of Things had to do.

When Buster began taking evening walks to the nearby beach wall with Roger, they learned that they shared a common trait. Both were philosophers; lovers of wisdom and observers of "stuff." While they are yet to comprehend fully The Grand Scheme of Things, they are surely on the right track, considering what whey learn from observing the simplest elements in their surroundings─a wall, a dog's mark, a ball, a leash, a baby, a Pit Bull, a cat, a blanket, dog food, and body lumps. These are a few of the things the two philosophers examine in the discourse that occurs at their special place next to the ocean at the Rio Del Mar beach.

From their seats on the wall they sniff at life's abstractions as well, like "relationships," "endings," "dog heaven," "g-d," "destiny, chance, and guilt," and of course, The Grand Scheme of Things. An ancient philosopher's maxim says, "The unexamined life is not worth living." Buster and his companion leave no doubt in their readers' minds that life is truly worth examining. What do they discover as they sniff around The Grand Scheme of Things? Nothing less than the Ultimate─a living appreciation for the "wonderful stuffness of beingness."

BUSTER AT THE GATE: A Golden Retriever's Heavenly Adventure  FREE USA SHIPPING

By Buster with help from Roger W. Hite, Ph.D.. Santa Cruz, CA: Tobias Press, 1995. ISBN1-881591-13-1, 181 page paperback. Second book in Buster trilogy. This book tells an adventure story told through the eyes of an aging Golden Retriever. In the tradition of The Wizard of Oz. Buster describes his arrival at the Gates of Heaven, only to learn that in The Grand Scheme of Things dogs exist in the lushness outside the gate, and may not pass through the gate to be with their humans.

The quest to fix the Grand Scheme of Things leads Buster and his Bulldog pal, Bo, on an epic journey. Buster is at his best as a storyteller. Woven into the journey are many insights and observations about how humans view religion, life, and the afterlife. Ever the philosopher, Buster integrates modern scientific theories with traditional religious themes. The result is an entertaining, insightful, and intelligent story about a dog's quest to help the Creator perfect the Grand Scheme of Things.

Buster at My Side: A Golden's Heeling Insights  FREE USA SHIPPING

By Roger W. Hite, Ph.D. (with help from Buster). Santa Cruz, CA: Tobias Press, 1997. 145 page paperback.  There is no rule in The Grand Scheme of Things that says "life must be complicated." There is also nothing that requires it to be simple. The author has observed, though, that humans make it complicated. Dogs tend toward simplicity. Spend an afternoon on the beach endlessly tossing a tennis ball into the crashing surf for a Golden and you'll understand how playing with a dog forces us to be simple. With all of our human potential for complexity, the thing we often need most is simplicity.

Dogs teach us how simple it is to love. Anyone who has ever looked into the smiling, upturned head of a Golden sitting by one's side, its tongue lolling, knows what this means. Form a relationship with a Golden and it will never end. A Golden will help you retrieve the most from your life's journey.

This book is the final book in a trilogy about the relationship between a Golden and his human companion. Like Buster at the Wall and Buster at the Gate, it is a story about death, life and love. It is about a relationship that continues to provide this author insights into how to think and how to feel all the wonderful stuffness of beingness. It is a true story. It is a simple story. It is a story Roger looks forward to sharing with a few of the 35% of American families who enjoy a relationship with over 52 million dogs.

BUSTER BACK AT THE WALL: A Golden Retriever's Scent of The Grand Scheme of Things  FREE USA SHIPPING

By Buster with help from Roger W. Hite, Ph.D. Aptos, CA: Tobias Press, 2000. 122 page paperback. This is Buster's Grand Scheme of Things: "The wind, the rain, the coastal tides, the fog─all chaperone the daily dance of this remarkable place. There is order. There is purpose. Everything is mysteriously connected through a simplicity that defies understanding by the most complex thinkers. Even if there was not a logic or purpose to life, this would still be the place one would select to endure such absurdity! Fortunately, Roger and I discovered it is both beautiful and purposeful.

The author hopes that his readers retrieve some entertainment, and perhaps some new wisdom as he and Buster take them back to the beach wall at Rio Del Mar, and sniff more intensely the scent of The Grand Scheme of Things."

Buster's View: A Golden Retriever's Advice For Living  FREE USA SHIPPING

By Buster with Roger Hite, Ph.D.. Santa Cruz, CA: Tobias Press, 1995. 53 page paperback. This special little book, that can easily be read in one session, packs a huge punch. A few of some of our favorite adages from the book appear at the top of the page.

This book of dog-philosophy to ease one through any challenge one might face in those hectic human years of ours. Buster's Advice for Living is provided on so many topics, including that of: Aging, Leashes, Communication, Life, Diet & Food, Sickness & Health, Sniffing, Possessions & Preciousness, Simplicity, Itching & Scratching, Fear & Courage, Licking & Chewing, Love, Peace, Death & Spirituality, Friends & Enemies, Retrieving, Attention, Comparatives, Dog Days, Growling, Consuming, Balls, Worry, Freedom, Innocence, Celebration, Stress, Longevity, Work, Heaven, Quality of Life, Wealth & Savings, Hatred, Endings, and The Future. 

The Art of Awe: Embracing The Grand Scheme of Things  FREE USA SHIPPING

By Roger W. Hite, Ph.D.. Santa Cruz, CA: Tobias Press, 1998. 96 page paperback. The Art of Awe is a book that teaches us how to maintain a healthy "inlook" on life. Awe is seeing, in the reality of an experience, all the important things that aren't really there as the author believes that the life-creed of "seeing is believing" is a blinding one. Awe is the art of braiding thoughts with feelings to create a story about a moment in time which validates our belief in The Grand Scheme of Things.

This book will help you to develop a deeper appreciation and understanding of the art that Roger calls awe. He hopes that his message inspires you to realize the importance awe plays in nourishing your soul. He hopes it motivates people to practice making metaphorical connections between their inner selves and the events in the world around them. And, he hopes it entertains and informs and "stirs the soul around the roots of your imagination." 

The Twelve Candle Miracle  FREE USA SHIPPING

By Roger W. Hite, Ph.D.. Aptos, CA: Tobias Press, 1999. 38 page paperback. This parable about the miracle of the twelve candles explores the mystery of being aware of our se3lf and being confronted with both the curse and the blessing of having self-knowledge.

This story is told by the venerable headmaster of the school in the village of the Nickernooks, a mythical village populated by creatures that act like humans, but stand in stature between the size of elves the dwarves. Proctor was hired long ago by the villagers because, while the merchants and craftsmen and craftswomen of the village could teach their children the skills necessary to make a living, they realized that making a living and living a whole and enlightened life were two different things. So when Proctor appeared in the village one day with a proposal to open a school to teach about love, the Nickernook elders voted to establish Proctor's Place. The villagers realized that love was what made life so wonderful in their little village. And as The Twelve Candle Miracle illustrates, Proctor took his job very seriously.