A Good Dog: The Story of Orson, Who Changed My Life | 
 enlarge | Author: Jon Katz
Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks
Category: Book
List Price: $13.95
Buy Used: $1.94
You Save: $12.01 (86%)
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Rating:  151 reviews
Sales Rank: 42306
Media: Paperback
Pages: 256
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5.1 x 0.7
ISBN: 0812971493
Dewey Decimal Number: 636.73740929
EAN: 9780812971491
ASIN: 0812971493
Publication Date: June 26, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
“People who love dogs often talk about a ‘lifetime’ dog. I’d heard the phrase a dozen times before I came to recognize its significance. Lifetime dogs are dogs we love in especially powerful, sometimes inexplicable ways.”–Jon Katz
In this gripping and deeply touching book, bestselling author Jon 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, when the dog springs from his traveling crate at Newark airport and panics the baggage claim area, their relationship is deep, stormy, and loving. At two years old, Katz’s new companion is a great herder of school buses, a scholar of refrigerators, but a dud at herding sheep. Everything Katz attempts– obedience training, herding instruction, a new name, acupuncture, herb and alternative therapies–helps a little but not enough, and not for long. “Like all border collies and many dogs,” Katz writes, “he needed work. I didn’t realize for some time I was the work Orson would find.”
While Katz is trying to help his dog, Orson is helping him, shepherding him toward a new life on a two-hundred-year-old hillside farm in upstate New York. There, aided by good neighbors and a tolerant wife, hip-deep in sheep, chickens, donkeys, and more dogs, the man and his canine companion explore meadows, woods, and even stars, wade through snow, bask by a roaring wood stove, and struggle to keep faith with each other. There, with deep love, each embraces his unfolding destiny.
A Good Dog is a book to savor. Just as Orson was the author’s lifetime dog, his story is a lifetime treasure–poignant, timeless, and powerful.
From the Hardcover edition.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 146 more reviews...
 One Very Sad Book November 28, 2008
Mark J. Lura (Chicago)
I was given this book as a gift. Had no idea what it was about. LOVED LOVED LOVED the first half of the book. Katz is undoubtedly an EXCELLENT writer. However, once it was growing clear what turn it was going to take, I put the book down and did not come back to it for a year. I finally finished it yesterday. Cried for a good while as I recalled my own putting my dogs down BECAUSE OF CANCER AND HEART FAILURE. Perhaps Katz did not well enough explain how dangerous Orson was because his decision to put him down for the sins related seemed to me to be horrifying. I agree that dogs that pose real danger to children or adults should be eliminated. However, Katz's decision (after outlining other very viable ones -- which he did not think Orson would like--COME ON!!!) seems cruel. He predicted that many of us would have this reaction and I agree this was his own personal choice. However, IMHO, he sure came up short when coming up with a plan for his Best Friend and the One Who Saved His Life! I don't mind the Shaman stuff or other alternate means of trying to get through to Orson, but I personally believe that a high quality dog trainer would have had a positive impact without ruinging Orson's spirit. So, this is a book with which I have more against the plot (true life story) than I do about the author's writing ability. But, I could never give it to my sister as a gift. It would kill her!
not recommended if you are a true animal lover November 14, 2008
J. Utilla (Temecula, CA)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Obviously, the title of the book does not portrait the events of this book. If Orson was a good dog, then why was he put down. I am an avid animal lover and would have explored other avenues so I would not put down this beautiful, but troubled being.
DOG KILLER!!!!!!!!!! October 3, 2008
J. Kimbrough (Austin,Texas)
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
Just unthinkably sad.
Do not support cruelty by buying books from Jon Katz the dog murderer.
Yes, I have 4 Border Collies and know of what I speak.
 English teacher review September 14, 2008
S. meyer (Maryland, USA)
2 out of 5 found this review helpful
Being an English teacher, I'm picky about books, but my son recommended this. It is well-written and truly stimulates emotions. I'm impressed. I thought only dog lovers would like this, but I can see many people of all ages and interests enjoying a man's heart-breaking decision. Not everyone would choose the author's path, but we have to respect that he put thought into it. Excellent true story.
Wish they had a "zero-star" option.... September 6, 2008
BJG (Texas)
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
For a so-called "dog-lover" to write this rubbish and then try to profit off of it is simply unforgivable. What a selfish, arrogant man. I can only hope that karma catches up with Katz eventually. I sincerely believe that he, not Orson, should have been euthanized!
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