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60th out of 63 books
—
515 voters
Bliss to You: Trixie's Guide to a Happy Life
My goal is to someday be the person my dog thinks I am. --AnonymousBestselling author Dean Koontz says that his dog, Trixie, changed his life and made him a better, happier person. A 68-pound dog who lived close to the ground, Trixie certainly did cast a long shadow. She first became known outside of her own house (dog-house, that is) as a guest blogger on Dean's website,...more
Hardcover, 160 pages
Published
September 16th 2008
by Hyperion
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Jan 01, 2013
Dustin Crazy little brown owl
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Humans who love dogs and/or want to be Happy
A great & happy tail told through the eyes of a Wonderful Dog.This book makes me so happy :-) I read this back in 2009 and in 2012 I listened to the audiobook with the introduction read by Dean Koontz. Read again on New Years Day 2013. Listed below are Trixie's 8 steps of bliss, but I recommend reading the short book or listening to the 1 hour audio so that Trixie can elaborate on each of these steps for you.
1. Be Calm - Reside in Quiet Heart
2. See the World in all it's Beauty
3. Fun
4. Find y...more
1. Be Calm - Reside in Quiet Heart
2. See the World in all it's Beauty
3. Fun
4. Find y...more
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Trixie was a beautiful and fun loving Golden Retriever. She enriched the lives of Dean and his wife for many years. Now she is gone but has dictated this book to Dean's computer for him to share with us. Understand that the priorities that we have in life may be some different from those of Trixie but her purpose is to help us achieve bliss. Each chapter is Trixie giving short, pithy suggestions on finding another part of bliss. Two chapters are on dog wisdom. Throughout she wants us to do or ex...more
Another book that I randomly picked up when I was walking through the aisles in the library that has failed me. This should be a reminder of why I should never pick up random books from the library based on their covers!
Overall, this was a horrible book. I thought it may have potential as the book is supposed to be written from a dog's point of view of how we can all find happiness and I felt that it was a book that dog lovers would appreciate (although I hate dogs, thought it would be good for...more
Overall, this was a horrible book. I thought it may have potential as the book is supposed to be written from a dog's point of view of how we can all find happiness and I felt that it was a book that dog lovers would appreciate (although I hate dogs, thought it would be good for...more
Everyone should really read this book - if you don't mind shedding a few tears at the end. Trixie's lessons for life are right on the mark......or, er, pawprint.
A profound little book with lots to say and a sense of fun. Example:
"The world is fun. Meadows to run. Ponds to swim. Hills, valleys, shores to explore. A bajillion things to smell. So much to learn, to see. Cats to chase.
Warning: can't achieve bliss if catch cat. Cats are only for chasing. Catch cat, get lacerated nose, go to vet, get cuts sewn shut, needle in butt, and everybody laughing, especially cat."
This is written by Trixie Koontz from "the other side." I laughed and cried. Trixie is ver...more
"The world is fun. Meadows to run. Ponds to swim. Hills, valleys, shores to explore. A bajillion things to smell. So much to learn, to see. Cats to chase.
Warning: can't achieve bliss if catch cat. Cats are only for chasing. Catch cat, get lacerated nose, go to vet, get cuts sewn shut, needle in butt, and everybody laughing, especially cat."
This is written by Trixie Koontz from "the other side." I laughed and cried. Trixie is ver...more
As a dog lover and one who thinks I know what my dog is thinking at all times, this was a short listen (book on CD) on yesterday's drive to work. It put life in perspective and reminds us to slow down and appreciate what is in front of us and not to worry about the future - to live in the present. This was the third of his books written from the perspective of his golden retriever but in this book, his dog Trixie is speaking to him from the "other side" as she has passed on. Ember (my dog) is 14...more
This was a case of reading the right book at the right time. I was feeling a little blue and very stressed out and this book made me think about my life and I realized the things I was stressing over were really nothing to be stressed about at all. I received more wisdom and advice from this book, "written" by a deceased dog than I usually care to seek out from those closest to me. It made me laugh, cry, smile, and think. This is one book I intend to purchase for myself. I recommend this book fo...more
If you love dogs like I do, you'll really enjoy this book. It was written by author Dean Koontz from his dog Trixie's perspective shortly after her death. (This is Trixie's 3rd book I believe).
Trixie shares her 8 steps to achieving bliss. It makes a lot of sense for both dogs and humans. It boils down to enjoying your world and serving others. I think Trixie might even be Christian.
It was nice to read this after losing our beautiful dog Zoey. Also it was fun to read and relate it to our curren...more
Trixie shares her 8 steps to achieving bliss. It makes a lot of sense for both dogs and humans. It boils down to enjoying your world and serving others. I think Trixie might even be Christian.
It was nice to read this after losing our beautiful dog Zoey. Also it was fun to read and relate it to our curren...more
I was drawn to this book mostly because of Trixie's picture on the cover and the fact that I am a dog lover. I thought this book would be great, especially told from a dog's point of view. I was disappointed though with Trixie's broken English and sentence structure. I think I was expecting something more along the lines of Marley and Me and this book is simply not the same.
To be fair, I did listen to this book on CD and from the very first word I was disappointed with the person reading.
To be fair, I did listen to this book on CD and from the very first word I was disappointed with the person reading.
Enjoyed this short little book very much. Trixie, who was author Dean Koontz's golden retriever, gives her little bits of dog wisdom to us. Sadly, Trixie now resides over the Rainbow Bridge in Heaven. This book is packed with dog wisdom and also gives us humans some instruction in how to make life better. Trixie thinks humans get too involved in life and need to stop working so hard, stop worrying so hard and take time to enjoy the world around us. Maybe Trixie has a good idea.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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I picked this book up on a whim, just browsing the new books at the library. What a find! The book is told in through the eyes of a dog [angel:]*, one with keen human insights. A tiny book it may be, but it has big messages within, for the book is a guide to finding one's bliss. I totally recommend it.
*The co-author is famed writer Dean Koontz (owner of Trixie before she died in 2007).
*The co-author is famed writer Dean Koontz (owner of Trixie before she died in 2007).
Ohmigod, any uplifting or self improvement message is ruined by the poor use of language in this book. I don't care if you're pretending that your dog wrote it: verbs and pronouns and important and useful pieces of speech. If you decide to drop them you need to be consistent. If you decide to use them, be consistent.
I will never get that time back. At least it was a quick read.
I will never get that time back. At least it was a quick read.
I found the book cute, though I enjoyed more of the one liners than the general story. Part of the reason could be that I have very atypical pets (a dog who doesn't like peanut butter and cats that are very social and get along pretty well with the dog). I did not like the narrator of the audiobook, I found the voice to be very distracting to the story.
I learned the eight steps to bliss, according to Dean Koontz's dog Trixie, are:
#1--calm
#2--beauty
#3--fun
#4--meaning
#5--others
#6--humility
#7--loss
#8--gratitude
Words of wisdom from a goldie who's passed on to the other side. Most important: when in doubt, a cookie always makes things better. Bliss right back at ya, Trix!
#1--calm
#2--beauty
#3--fun
#4--meaning
#5--others
#6--humility
#7--loss
#8--gratitude
Words of wisdom from a goldie who's passed on to the other side. Most important: when in doubt, a cookie always makes things better. Bliss right back at ya, Trix!
This book is so darn cute. Definitely a dog-lovers book because Trixie is clearly biased against cats. All proceeds from the sale of this book go to a charity. This book would make a great stocking stuffer or addition to a gift basket or that something for the coworker who loves dogs but other than that you don't know very well and you're their Secret Santa. For more:
http://satia.blogspot.com/2010/11/bli...
http://satia.blogspot.com/2010/11/bli...
As I am a fan of golden retrievers, this book called to me. Trixie's picture on the cover was enough to make read this book. Pleasantly surprised am I, to learn how to achieve bliss from Trixie Koontz. One way to bliss is to be a blessing to others. This book is a jewel--even if you don't like dogs. For shame.
Narrator/voice artist is the perfect choice for this book. I rarely like stories told from a pet's point of view. And I'm a "cat person." But I LOVED this one -- and laughed out loud and immediately listened to the (only one hour long) recording again. I borrowed the library's copy -- but I'm buying a copy of my own! Huzzah!
Aug 12, 2009
Vicki
rated it
1 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
hmm, probably wouldn't
Recommended to Vicki by:
advance reading copy
The writing in the voice of Trixie, his dog, was a bit too "twee" (saccharine sweet & precocious) for me. If you can get past that, there are some nice little observations about life. But it's really more like a "thought a page" book, not really a content-driven book.
Oh, the love of a dog. It's what makes life worth living! The insight that Trixie gives to us humans is so incredible. Whether or not you love dogs, you'll love this book. Read it if you want to find bliss. It's something all of us need. Thank you, Trixie:0)
" Warning: can't achieve bliss if catch cat. Cats are only for chasing. Catch cat, get lacerated nose, go to vet, get cuts sewn shut, needle in butt, and everybody laughing, especially cat." Quoted from page 47 of this book. All dog lovers should read it.
For anyone who has ever known and loved a dog! This short book is one of the sweetest and funniest books ever to be written by a golden retriever. Highly recommended for a good laugh and an uplift of heart, like the wag of a dog's tail.
Being a fan of most things Koontz I was aware of Trixie. She and Mr. Koontz appeared on the book end photo for a number of years.
Koontz and wife Gerda gave Trixie a wonderful home and had an above average closeness with her. Unfortunately I grew bored at the lengthily descriptions of inconsequential memories. They are personal, special and unique to the Koontz family. I hope writing about life with his beloved dog has brought some comfort to him.
Koontz and wife Gerda gave Trixie a wonderful home and had an above average closeness with her. Unfortunately I grew bored at the lengthily descriptions of inconsequential memories. They are personal, special and unique to the Koontz family. I hope writing about life with his beloved dog has brought some comfort to him.
Trixie may just be a dog but she knows what is important in life. If we all followed Trixie's guidelines to bliss, we would be a happier and nicer culture. This is a very fast read but is quite entertaining and yet thought provoking.
Eight steps to finding bliss as told by Dog. Problem is, at least with the book on CD, Trixi's writing style gets a bit tedious. The message is good, but even at just an hour the CD version needs to be done in shorter doses.
Fun, uplifting, positive bits of doggy wisdom that made me laugh out loud several times, including, but not limited to
Mailman does not come to house to kill us all. Comes to house to torture and then kill.
Jack Sprat could eat no fat, his wife could eat no lean. More for the dog.
Here is another dumb saying: it is what it is. No kidding. If it isn't what it is, then what would it be? And if it is what it isn't, what the hell is going on here? ...Some human sayings not dumb, just painfully obvious....more
Mailman does not come to house to kill us all. Comes to house to torture and then kill.
Jack Sprat could eat no fat, his wife could eat no lean. More for the dog.
Here is another dumb saying: it is what it is. No kidding. If it isn't what it is, then what would it be? And if it is what it isn't, what the hell is going on here? ...Some human sayings not dumb, just painfully obvious....more
I listened to it which I feels makes a difference sometimes. It makes a great gift book for dog lovers. Such a beautiful message written from a human's idea of what a dog would talk like if they could talk.
More philosophical than the other two books with several Kleenex moments, but still has plenty of humor. A great gift for someone who needs a lift and a laugh. Proceed benefit CCI.
This is the book to read when you are feeling down. Trixie Koontz is a saint, and has the best outlook on life of anyone I have ever met. Cute and comical! One of Dean Koontz's best works.
A wonderful quick read for any animal lover, especially dog lovers. The writing style takes getting used to, kind of like reading a Muppet dialogue, but fun and heartwarming just the same.
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Nicknames:
Short Stuff, Trix, Furface, Fluffybutt
Quick Bio:
Purebred, Service Dog
Arrival Story:
I was a CCI assistance dog. After elbow surgery, was retired from service and came to live as a Koontz in Newport Beach. Wrote three books to raise money for other assistance dogs.
Bio:
Trixie was an angel on earth, shorn of her wings and given fur as a disguise, with mysterious eyes, with the heart of a lio...more
More about Trixie Koontz...
Short Stuff, Trix, Furface, Fluffybutt
Quick Bio:
Purebred, Service Dog
Arrival Story:
I was a CCI assistance dog. After elbow surgery, was retired from service and came to live as a Koontz in Newport Beach. Wrote three books to raise money for other assistance dogs.
Bio:
Trixie was an angel on earth, shorn of her wings and given fur as a disguise, with mysterious eyes, with the heart of a lio...more
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