"The Underdog, A Celebration of Mutts," is an ode to the shelter dog — high praise for the "unbreed." "A mutt is couture — it’s the only one like it in the world, made especially for you," writes New York City author Julia Szabo, quoting footwear designer Isaac Mizrahi.

They are a generic, a noname animal, the unbreed, one of a kind, and in these days of mass-produced merchandise, of branding run rampant, the mutt's uniqueness is a priceless commodity.

This woman of mussed curly hair, tough skin, rough working hands petting every animal in her kingdom within reach. She walks among them like a queen of all creatures great and small. Dogs running, jumping, barking, following her every step like a furry cloud. Dogs of every shape, color, size—full breed, mixed breed, half breed, unbreed.