I read it last Saturday. It was in the contestant's gift bag we got Friday night at the reception for the Fuzzy Fotos contest. (We finished 7th with just over $3,000 raised by the way, completely respectable in a field of 21. And the event raised just over $52,000 for No More Homeless Pets KC and KC Free). If you're a dog person and you haven't read it, give it a go. The story is told from the point of view of a dog at the end of his life. You'll laugh, you'll get angry, and fair warning, at one point you will bawl like a baby, but you'll still enjoy the book.
It took most of the day, but I read it in one sitting, so it's not so long as to be grueling. (I do that sometimes, as I did with The Lovely Bones, and even The DaVinci Code, although that took all evening and night.)
If you have read it I'd love to know what you thought.
9 comments:
Sounds like a good read, but I may have to wait a while. We just put down our 15 year-old lab and it was heart-wrenching. I remember bawling when I read Old Yeller, many, many years ago. Just found your blog through Russ at Blue Truck, Red State.
-Frank
I have recommended this book so many times. I think having a dog explain with such beautiful longing why he can't talk and why being one day to be able to evolve to be able to talk is worth the price of the admission to this book. Do hope you are living science TV shows on for your dogs while you are away. You never know...
FD: Thanks for stopping by. You're right, wait on the book, you've got enough to get through for now. Hope you guys are remembering the good times, I'm sending good thoughts your way.
HBD: My boys usually hang out in the tv-less bedroom when we're gone, otherwise they tend to sit in the entry and bark at every noise they hear in the hallway.
At the old house I did leave the tv on for them, often on Animal Planet. If we ever get moved I absolutely plan to give them plenty of Science Channel time. Also, I read a comment somewhere, did I know you live in Lawrence? Such a great place, I loved living there when I was in school.
I'm with FDeF.
Our dog had to be put to sleep two weeks ago. We had given him to my sister-in-law when we moved to New Zealand, because he was just too old to make the trip.
I would have a hard time reading this book right now.
Even though it has been a few years (2005) since the passing of our old dog, I can still find tears for him and for the others before him. I'm getting the book, because I enjoy reading, and if the subject is dogs, then all the better.
We have three dogs now, and while having three big dogs does indeed define our lives, I wouldn't change a thing.
My dogs listen to NPR when they are alone at home. Not quite the science channel, but this is Washington, DC, and they have to be up on current events.
Oh Raina, I didn't know you guys had a dog, much less that had happened. Yeah, not the time for you either. Maybe later.
NPR is probably perfect Kathleen, soothing voices!
Good for you, David!
Yes!! I read that book when it first came out and Starbucks was selling it. You're right, I bawled like a baby. A great book!
I really like that book. Great story - I love the idea of the dog wanting to be a human. It totally changed the way I think about my dogs. Hopefully, they'll turn out better than I did! :) puppy karma all the way!
John
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