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A Good Dog: The Story of Orson Who Changed My Life
A Good Dog The Story of Orson Who Changed My Life
Author: Jon Katz
Author Katz tells the story of his lifetime dog, Orson: a beautiful border collie--intense, smart, crazy, and unforgettable. From the moment Katz and Orson meet, their relationship is deep, stormy, and loving.  — Two years old, Katz's new companion is a great herder of school buses, a scholar of refrigerators, but a dud at herding sheep....  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780739483299
ISBN-10: 0739483293
Publication Date: 2006
Pages: 224
Rating:
  • Currently 3.6/5 Stars.
 7

3.6 stars, based on 7 ratings
Publisher: Villard
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

galnsearch avatar reviewed A Good Dog: The Story of Orson Who Changed My Life on + 143 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
I had an Orson once but his name was Tippy. The two had a lot in common. I'd love to tell you about Tippy but that would be my story not Jon Katz. If you are a dog lover, you will laugh, you will cry, and most of all, you will identify.
JayhawkLady avatar reviewed A Good Dog: The Story of Orson Who Changed My Life on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
I loved this book, but I had one of these highly eccentric, intelligent dogs for 14 years. If you like dogs at all, you will enjoy this book.
reviewed A Good Dog: The Story of Orson Who Changed My Life on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Probably the best book I have read in a long time. I feel a connection with Jon. Not only his life experience but his conflicts in dealing with the right and wrong, the moral vs. the humane vs. the socially acceptable. I felt Jon's pain and ecstasy. This is an amazing read, but the reader needs to be prepared for the emotion. So well written.
thameslink avatar reviewed A Good Dog: The Story of Orson Who Changed My Life on + 723 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This is a powerful yet touching book about the author's relationship with his dog, Orson. Great companion piece to "The Dogs of Bedlam Farm". This book with resonate with anyone who has shared their life with, and loved, a "difficult" dog. A beautiful read, although painful at times. Highly recommended to anyone to anyone who has relationships with dogs.
ilovebooksanddogs avatar reviewed A Good Dog: The Story of Orson Who Changed My Life on + 359 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I don't think I like this author very much as a person. The story itself was a real tear jerker for me but I had trouble relating to his view of things. I am now finding myself avoiding his other books.
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WestieMom avatar reviewed A Good Dog: The Story of Orson Who Changed My Life on + 74 more book reviews
I absolutely loved this book. If you are a Jon Katz fan you know all about his relationship with Orson (aka Devon the devil dog). I cried reading this book (which was a treat for my husband because we were on vacation). I think every owner who has had multiple dogs has had to make difficult decisions. Ours involved a rescue poodle named Cody, and step by step we went thru the same agonizing process and eventually made the same final decision. This entire series is wonderful; but this is my favorite (so far).
reviewed A Good Dog: The Story of Orson Who Changed My Life on + 301 more book reviews
This book is a Marley wannna-be. Unfortunately, it tries way too hard, and since I grew up with an Border Collie, I don't believe half of what the author claims about his Border Collie. They are a special breed of dog, and not every one should own one. Clearly, Jon Katz shouldn't.
reviewed A Good Dog: The Story of Orson Who Changed My Life on + 3563 more book reviews
I read A Dog's Purpose and loved it. So I was anxious to read this. The story is compelling and sad, yet peaceful at the end. The author made a difficult choice, which all pet owners face in time, sometimes prematurely. Now I understand my connection with my own "lifetime" dog. ". I adopted Roxie, a chocolate Lab mix, at the Arizona Humane Society, when she was about 4 months old . I was hers for 16 years, an amazing lifespan for a Lab. She was the smartest dog I ever had, and she was completely devoted to me. Yet, she was independent, her own dog. Her end came suddenly, no long decline. We think she had a neurological event that caused her to suddenly lose body control. She told me it was time. This book brought it all back to me.
cef424 avatar reviewed A Good Dog: The Story of Orson Who Changed My Life on + 67 more book reviews
Fantastic book...


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