A Dog Year: Twelve Months, Four Dogs, and Me
by Jon Katz
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Book Reviews of A Dog Year: Twelve Months, Four Dogs, and Me
Book Review: A Sad Ending
Summary: 1 Stars
I actually liked the book and was going to get other books by the author until I read the reviews of 'A Good Dog'. In it - he murders Orson (Devon) his 'soul mate'. Reading these reviews ruined the rest of 'A Dog Year' for me and I will NEVER purchase another book from this guy. Book Review: Before reading A Dog Year
Summary: 1 Stars
If you have not already read this book, I would recommend you read the reviews for the book which chronicles the end of Orson's life (the gorgeous dog on the front cover. In A Dog Year you are introduced to Katz's pet project - Orson. We are lead to believe that Orson (aka Devon) is Katz's soulmate and Katz is the person who can save the poor troubled and mis-handled Orson. Although I somewhat enjoyed a Dog Year, I was worried that Katz had taken on something he didn't understand. Orson's final book - A Good Dog - proved me right. Katz cannot handle Orson and eventually euthanizes him. Katz made his money out of Orson by writing these books and then gave up on him. Considering the depth of feeling that Orson had for the author - I was left incensed and speechless at the end of A Good Dog. As an aside - the other border collie you are introduced to in a Dog Year is given to a new home because he doesn't fit with Katz either. So, before putting even more money into the coffers of a man who said that he could not justify spending money on Orson to find out what his issues were, I would refrain from spending money on this book. Book Review: Read it in a day
Summary: 5 Stars
I came across this book quite accidentally (I was trying to locate "Marley and Me" at my local Borders). I loved the story, couldn't put it down.
I am disappointed to read the negative reviews from others, as I knew nothing of Mr. Katz before reading this book. I will have to read on to know what other's are claiming to be the "real" story (And thank you for ruining it for me).
For those who say he "killed" the labs, I will stand on the other side of that fence. I have a lab who is slowly dying a miserable death from cancer. Her prognosis was 4 weeks...at the beginning of November! Eight months and counting...two vets and radiologists confirmed the diagnosis. It's not that she is just "old"...labs have a tendency to hide the pain to please the owner. Our girl acts like she is fine when she feels she needs to- to please us. The reality is, cancer and heart treatments for dogs are not like that for people. I cannot make the decision for my boyfriend, but if our girl could talk, I know she would tell him that he should just let her go.
I will read the other books and form my own opinion.
Book Review: Four Dogs and Jon Katz
Summary: 1 Stars
Of the four dogs in "A Dog Year," three have been euthanized and one has been given away.
Katz presents himself in this book as a genial, bumbling dog lover. In spite of his incredible mistakes as a trainer, in a beautiful moment at the end of the book it seems that the rescued border collie Devon has come to trust him and has found a true home. "A Good Dog" tells a very different story.
Anyone thinking of buying this book should look at "A Good Dog" or the Amazon reviews of it. Katz himself has posted a review of the book and a number of replies to his critics, which are anything but genial. After reading "A Good Dog," "A Dog Year" reads like a fantasy.
Book Review: Katz Kills Dogs
Summary: 1 Stars
Before you buy this book, you need to know that Devon, the Border Collie, is killed by Katz, as detailed in the later book "A Good Dog." Katz had his two yellow labs, Julius and Stanley, killed at the first sign of illness, before attempting any treatment. He tells Devon, on page 88, "I will never abandon you," playing up his promise to his dog as something solemn and sacred. Although I thought Katz did almost everything wrong in this book, I was willing to forgive it because he claimed he loved Devon and was dedicated to the best care of his "soulmate." Then I come to find out that Katz has written another book about having Devon killed, while the dog was young and in good health, for what Katz decided were insurmountable behavioral problems. This new book, A Good Dog, makes the argument that it is the moral responsiblity of dog owners to kill their pets at the first sign of trouble instead of spending money on training or medical treatment. For Katz, you had better be young, healthy, and happy, or you get the ax. This is a disgusting person who should not be allowed to own animals. He most definitely should not be viewed as an animal lover or an expert on animals. Do not buy any books written by Jon Katz.