Books & Books in Coral Gables will host a free literary event exploring the unexpected philosophical insights found in everyday canine companionship this Sunday, May 4. Author and University of Miami philosophy professor Mark Rowlands will appear in conversation with former U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen to discuss Rowlands’ latest book, The Word of Dog: What Our Canine Companions Can Teach Us About Living a Good Life.

The event begins at 6 p.m. at the flagship bookstore, located at 265 Aragon Ave., and is open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP in advance, and copies of the book will be available for purchase on-site.

In The Word of Dog, Rowlands blends warmth and introspection as he reflects on how dogs live—and what that might reveal about how we could live better. Drawing on his background in philosophy and his experiences with his own dogs, Rowlands explores questions of fulfillment, love, and the meaning of a “good life,” suggesting that in the simple, joyful routines of dogs, we might discover guidance for our own lives.

“Perhaps none of us can be happy in the way a dog can,” he writes, “but The Word of Dog shows us we could do a lot better than we’re doing simply by listening to the unspoken wisdom our dogs reveal to us every day.”

Rowlands is the author of 23 books, including the international bestseller The Philosopher and the Wolf, and currently serves as chair of the philosophy department at the University of Miami.

Joining him onstage will be Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the first Hispanic woman elected to Congress and a longtime representative of South Florida. Known for her service on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Intelligence Committee, Ros-Lehtinen is also a passionate advocate for education and animal welfare. She and her husband, Dexter Lehtinen, are parents to two rescue dogs, Zoey and Blue.

The evening promises to be both intellectually engaging and emotionally resonant—perfect for dog lovers, readers, and those contemplating what it means to live well.