A Dog Year: Twelve Months, Four Dogs, and Me

This book easily falls in the top five of all books I’ve ever read. Katz is an incredible writer. He’s able to draw you in, you feel as if you’re right there with him and you just can’t put the book down! Love, love, love it!!!

I've never had a Border Collie, but I've heard stories and heard that they are very energetic and high maintenance. I really enjoyed this book for the most part.But. I love dogs. I am a dog lover. I want all the dogs. I would love to foster dogs, but my resident dog lived in a backyard for six years and was completely unsocialized when I adopted him, and since I do have to work outside the home full time, I don't feel I'm in a position to be a good foster home. While the author loves his dogs, I didn't get the sense that he is a dog lover. For one, his labs came from a breeder. I will never buy a dog from a breeder. I wish breeders no longer existed. There are so many millions of dogs in shelters, living on the streets, or being euthanized because nobody wants them, that it seems unethical to me for dogs to purposely be bred. And yes, I realize that there are so many children in foster care that need to adopted that maybe I shouldn't have bred my own. But dogs are my passion so I don't care how unreasonable it is, that's how I feel.Then there was this passage: "For the noblest of reasons, it had also become popular – and immensely rewarding – to go to the local pound and bring home stray and abandoned animals. Many were lovely, companionable dogs, but some were mixed breeds unsuitable for suburban families, tense and unpredictable around other animals, kids, even their owners. This can also be true of purebred dogs, some of whom suffer from overbreeding and don't live up to their TV commercial images."I don't know why that paragraph rubs me the wrong way. It's an innocuous three sentences. There's truth in them. Maybe it's the phrase “become popular”, as if he's dismissing adopting shelter dogs as being beneath him, or being a fad. And of course, as I got further into the book, his descriptions of Devon certainly prove “This can also be true of purebred dogs”.When one of the author's labs begins ailing and is euthanized, I cried. It's a hard decision, and it's one I've had to make myself, more than once. It's been two years since I lost my dog Max to cancer, but sometimes the grief is still fresh, as if it just happened last month.But other than the occasional wince or incredulous “did this guy know nothing about dogs” reaction to some of the things he did (throwing a choke chain on the ground next to the dog to get his attention or correct his behavior? Seriously?), I loved the stories about Devon himself, about his personality. I could read about that kind of stuff all day long.

I must confess that I normally do not read "dog" books. But as a recently converted "dog person," the recommendation of this author's work from the online AKC monthly magazine caught my eye. After much research and angst, I got my dog-loving husband a Border Collie puppy for a milestone birthday. He had grown up with mutts; I always had cats; and together we have a horse, three goats and five cats. After being completely won over by this amazing breed, I was curious to know how this breed would change Mr. Katz 's life, in the long run, for the better. He has an easy reading writing style and although there are some humorous parts, this book delves more into relationships, loss and change between both humans and animals. The best part for me was discovering our dog is truely a "Barbie Collie!"DianeMiddletown, CT

It was a charming book, not sentimental but realistic about a dog with emotional problems and a unique view on life! Katz was patient, his other astonished dogs, somewhat taken aback by the crazy new comer, were nevertheless patient with him, and in the end, he found himself--and them. A kind book about the patience that love sometimes requires, and not only for dogs. And about the kind helpfulness of good dogs you have lived with and who know you well. I sat down, read it at one sitting, and promptly bought it for the upcoming birthdays of two of my children, the dog ones. It's a lovely place to spend a little time.

As usual you find the tale capturing your dog loving heart. I felt so bad for Orson. I have been around lots of Border Collies.I , in the past have adopted half Border collie,half Aussie dogs. Mostly because they are a little more laid back, believe it or not.Friends raise the border collies. Some breeders dial things up to create trial winners. Sometimes they lose sight of the dog.Orson was lucky, lots of love came his way.

I bought this book for my daughter, many years ago, who enjoyed it very much, but then unfortunately our then puppy, chewed the front cover, so I felt duty bound to replace it. It just shows many years on, how much 'A Dog Year' is still very popular. I did replace it because it was only right that I should and my conscience was telling me that I should.. I did not think she would remember this book, but she did, so it must have meant a great deal to her.

I love Jon Katz as an author and the first person way he describes his experiences allow you to jump into his world and share the trials and tribulations of dog ownership. His honest matter of fact was telling the story remind me of times when I have struggled with a new rescue dog.Parts of the story are hilarious and I found myself laughing out loud whilst on a beach in.Mexico !!!The whole series of Jon Katz books are a mustVery highly recommended

Having a 2yr old Border Collie myself this book really helped me to feel that i'm 'normal' in my parenting! Border Collies can be very tiring, frustrating, annoying but so so loving. The only slight comment (made by others) I would make is that the publishers should have used a photo of Devon and not a nameless (but cute)pup - especially as Devon was 2yrs old when Jon got him. i had lots of laughs and tears as I read this book - finding umpteen similarities with my own experiences.

This is an excellent book. One that is hard to put down. Jon Katz Must be devoted to dogs to be able to take on such difficult animals. A good book for any dog lover to read.

I have read a few of Jon Katz books and enjoyed all of them. I like the way he writes and the human/canine bond as he describes it.