A Good Dog

Posted by on Friday, January 12th, 2007

A  Good Dog: The Story of Orson, Who Changed My Life by Jon Katz

I’ve been reading Jon Katz’s books about his dogs for a few years now, and have been particularly enamored with his destructive, willful Border Collie Orson.  It’s easy to love a dog who always does everything right.  It takes a lot more to remain dedicated to a dog that causes a lot of trouble.   And despite all of the trouble Orson caused, Katz has been continually able to realize that Orson’s troubles were largely the result of physical problems and behavioral problems foisted upon him by misguided people. 

This book was particularly hard to read.  Because I’m familiar with Katz’s tone, I knew the book was likely to chronicle a tragedy just by the title.  Sure enough, it was heart-breaking.  Just, well, just don’t read it if you can’t deal with sad stories about dogs.

I’m glad to have read it.  I’m amazed by Katz’s bravery in writing these chronicles of his life with dogs.  We pet lovers can be obsessively critical of anyone who strays from our peculiar views of training, veterinary care, feeding, and breeding dogs and cats.  Katz makes one difficult choice after another, admits when his choices are misguided or unpopular, and invites us to be angry at him.  In this book, he explores a variety of methods in attempting to heal his beloved, disturbed dog.  It’s heartbreaking and informative.  I came out on Katz’s side–I think he did the right thing.  I don’t envy him his decisions though, and I’m intensely happy to have such an easy dog. 

Excuse me while I go spoil my pooch.

Filed in Books | 4 responses so far

4 Responses to “A Good Dog”

  1. --Debon 12 Jan 2007 at 6:14 pm 1

    I haven’t been able to bring myself to read that one, but my favorite of his–and I’ve read several of his “non-dog” books, too–is “A Dog Year” about when he got Orson while still having two mellow yellow labs . . . hilarious and sad by turn, that one….

  2. sallyjoon 13 Jan 2007 at 11:16 pm 2

    It might be wonderful, and I agree about Katz’s writing, but I won’t willingly read that sort of dog book again, unless I really really need to sob for hours. By the way, I started Crypto… and it’s got me, about 10 pages in. Looking forward to the ride.

  3. Rachelon 14 Jan 2007 at 10:25 am 3

    As you know I have my own “lifetime” dog to deal with. I loved A Dog Year, but haven’t been able to bring myself to read this one yet. As I type, Eliot is curled up by my feet having refused to eat his breakfast today and only doing his business once Corvus took him out, even though I gave him a nice long walk first… Dogs. Seriously, though, I can’t imagine my life without him.

  4. Chayahon 14 Jan 2007 at 1:45 pm 4

    Hi, Lanea, I just happily discovered your reading blog. I haven’t read Jon Katz’s books yet, but I have heard him on the radio many times as he is on our local npr station frequently- upstate NY. I enjoy hearing him speak and will try to get his books, maybe not the very sad one. Thanks for you writing, warmly, Chayah

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