A Search for the Perfect Dog

The author of this sweet, slight book doesn't make clear what a ""perfect"" dog is, probably because he seems to have fallen for every mutt that ever crossed his path. He recounts his experiences with the many dogs he's known, starting with Rusty, the dog of his boyhood, then later with family pets and the pooches he's befriended at the Helen Woodward Animal Center in Southern California, where he teaches ""visiting children about pet care, responsibility, and the humane treatment of animals."" Shiebler, who has been a fashion model for GQ and other magazines, applies tales of his experiences with dogs to human situations throughout the narrative. Dog lovers are unlikely to learn a lot new here, but the author will enable them to see into their hearts and confirm their fondest feeling for everyone's best friend. Photos. (Oct.)