The Tao of Pug

by Nancy Levine, Wilson the Pug

Overview

Playful, endearing, and clearly profound, The Tao of Pug looks at the big picture from the eyes of a little dog.

Meet Wilson the Pug, a dog with a great deal of wisdom to share. A much-admired spiritual teacher, Wilson lives by the principles of the Tao Te Ching, the ancient Chinese text on the art of living. Passed on through the generations from his ancestor Pug-tzu—companion to the philosopher and author of the Tao Te Ching, Lao-tzu—the wisdom of the Tao has helped Wilson lead a simple, peaceful, and fulfilling life.

Deciding it was time to share this spiritual knowledge, Wilson enlisted the help of his owner (and photographer), Nancy Levine, to bring you The Tao of Pug. Each photograph captures Wilson’s charm and humor as he illustrates the timeless principles of the Tao Te Ching with examples from his active life alongside quotes from the original text. With his adorably expressive face, funny poses, and trademark yin-yang coat, Wilson has an unmistakable magnetism that has won him countless admirers, of all canine and philosophical persuasions.

Wilson’s comical lessons on life pair beautifully with Levine’s delightful photographs to make The Tao of Pug a must-have book for pug lovers of any age.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781510714410
Publisher:	Skyhorse
Publication date:	04/25/2017
Series:	Tao of Pug
Pages:	96
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 6.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Nancy Levine is a veteran dog photographer and writer. Her book Homer for the Holidays won the prize for Best Humor Book of the Year from the Dog Writers Association of America. Her one-woman show Leaving Scarsdale workshopped at the HBO Workspace, and her commentaries have been broadcast in the Bay Area on NPR affiliates. Originally from Scarsdale, New York, Levine now resides in Marin County, in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Wilson the Pug was a direct descendant and lineage bearer of Pug-tzu, companion of the ancient Chinese philosopher Lao-tzu. The latter is widely credited with authoring the Tao-te Ching. Wilson lived in Berkeley, California, where he found much tolerance for this Taoist canine American lifestyle. He crossed the Rainbow Bridge in 2014.

Read an Excerpt

IntroductionHello. My name is Wilson the Pug. Long long ago, around 500 BC, my greatest great grandfather, Pug-tzu was living a simple life in China. Along about the same time, a wise old Chinese philosopher known as Lao-tzu was living in the same small village. One day, Lao-tzu happened upon grandpa Pug-tzu in an open field, of which there were many at the time. Lao-tzu had been puzzling for days over some philosophical questions.When he came upon Pug-tzu, the philosopher put a question to him: "Oh little pug-nosed dog," he said, "How can this seem true, but that also seem true?"Pug-tzu stared at Lao-tzu for a moment, then cocked his head to the side as pugs are wont to do."Of course!" Lao-tzu exclaimed. "You are so right, little dog. 'True sayings seem contradictory.'" The old man quickly scribbled the insight onto some silk he was carrying. And with this, the ancient Chinese book of wisdom, the Tao-te Ching, was born.Lao-tzu and Pug-tzu became fast friends and constant companions. Taking his cues from Pug-tzu, the wise old philosopher transcribed the eternal wisdom of the Tao (pronounced like "dow," which rhymes with "cow") into the Tao-te Ching. "Tao" means the way of all life. "Te" means the best use of life. And "Ching" means classic text.Everyone has always wondered what inspired Lao-tzu to write the Tao-te Ching. For centuries, its conception has remained shrouded in mystery and speculation.  According to the Tao-te Ching, "The tao that can be described is not the eternal Tao." Words alone are not enough to capture its spirit.  So while Lao-tzu was busy writing the Tao-te Ching, Pug-tzu embodied the Tao, right down to the tip of his curly tail, and passed its wisdom down from pug to pug to pug. And now I'd like to share a little of that wisdom with you.In the pages that follow, I will illustrate the timeless principles of the Tao-te Ching using eighty-one photos—the same number of chapters as in Lao-tzu's classic text—from my very busy life. Each photo is accompanied by a quotation from the Tao-te Ching (with its chapter number in parentheses), along with my own insights and interpretation of the lesson it imparts.Like you, I have many concerns, daily stresses and conflicts. Some are even a matter of life and death. On my block alone, there's a German shepherd who'd like to churn me into a finely mashed pug paste. How do I cope? you ask. Well, in the words of the Tao-te Ching, "To those who are good he treats as good. To those who aren't good, he also treats as good. This is how he attains true goodness." The Tao reminds me to keep it all in perspective.So I invite you to suspend what you think you know about scholarly wisdom and talking pugs and go with the flow.  As it is written, "Renounce knowledge and your problems will end."Wilson the Pug
Berkeley, California
May 2003

Editorial Reviews

Everyone loves a Pug—and now there’s a book that’s dedicated to looking at the world through the eyes of one of these sagely squat dogs.” —Dogster "I love all of Wilson the Pug's books! He's a pug hero, helping The Humane Society of the United States to stop puppy mills!" —Gracie, pug of Patti Davis, and author of The Wit and Wisdom of Gracie "Wow! Hat's off to you, Wilson the Pug! Who'd ever think a pug could write a book. The Tao of Pug is funny and wise. You do a pug proud!" —Frank the Pug, from the movie Men in Black III "You don't have to be a pug to love Wilson the Pug and his very funny book, The Tao of Pug. Milo loved it too!" —Otis the Pug, from the movie The Adventures of Milo and Otis

“Everyone loves a Pug—and now there’s a book that’s dedicated to looking at the world through the eyes of one of these sagely squat dogs.” —Dogster "I love all of Wilson the Pug's books! He's a pug hero, helping The Humane Society of the United States to stop puppy mills!" —Gracie, pug of Patti Davis, and author of The Wit and Wisdom of Gracie "Wow! Hat's off to you, Wilson the Pug! Who'd ever think a pug could write a book. The Tao of Pug is funny and wise. You do a pug proud!" —Frank the Pug, from the movie Men in Black III "You don't have to be a pug to love Wilson the Pug and his very funny book, The Tao of Pug. Milo loved it too!" —Otis the Pug, from the movie The Adventures of Milo and Otis

From the Publisher