Skidboot in the paperback edition
Skidboot, The Smartest Dog in the World, celebrates the life and times of a Blue Heeler from Quinlan, Texas, whose intuitive grasp and public acclaim has boosted him into Lassie fame. A dog born in a barn in East Texas takes on Oprah, David Letterman, Jay Leno, the Texas State Fair and the rodeo circuit, learning as he goes, making fans of everyone he meets, and transforming lives. Nearly given to the pound for his chicken chasing ways, he gets one more chance from his owner, cowboy David Hartwig, who discovers a training secret never before used or known. In a flash, the dog learns, lives change, scores are settled, and life for the Texas ranching family speeds into the fast lane. During his life Skidboot touched every audience, from packed rodeo stands to late night television crowds. This story aims to touch an even wider audience pet lovers who will be inspired by a story of canine courage.
Author Cathy Luchetti has published six photo history books that chronicle the American frontier through the stories of pioneer men, women, and children through themes of courtship, love, marriage, cooking and children: Women of the West, Under God's Spell, Home on the Range, Medicine Women, Men of the West and children of the West.
Cathy Luchetti's book awards include the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Award for Literary Excellence, the James Beard Award for Best Writing on American Food History, runner up for the Willa Cather Award for Non-Fiction from Women writing the West, and winner of the Los Angeles Times Best Books of 2001.
Cathy Luchetti is also author of the Hot Flash Cookbook, which won the Fifth Annual World Cookbook Fair Award, Perigeaux, France.
In addition: Library Laureate, San Francisco, CA 2005
Library of Congress "Books & Beyond" series lecture
National Archives speaker
Laura Bush's White House Symposium on Women of the West in the Salute to American Authors Series to promote reading and literacy
The Sacramento Book Collectors Club 63 Anniversary Honoree
Grant Recipient, the Book Club of California
Cathy Luchetti 