What do you think?
Rate this book
Chicken Soup for the Cat & Dog Lover's Soul: Celebrating Pets as Family with Stories About Cats, Dogs and Other Critters
Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul spoke directly to the hearts of all readers whose lives have ever been changed by the love of a pet. Now the coauthors bring readers this volume, honoring the unique and enduring love that people share with their cats and dogs. Like its predecessor, this book is a joyous and inspiring collection--sometimes poignant, sometimes amusing, always filled with the special and incredibly unconditional love only cats and dogs can give. The stories in this collection celebrate those lovable furry, four-legged creatures that bring out the best in all of us, inspiring us to be happier, kinder, more understanding and more loving. Readers will discover that many of humanity's greatest heroes, healers and teachers are not humans at all, but those amazing cats and dogs that brighten all our lives.
408 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1999
61 people are currently reading
918 people want to read
About the author
Jack Canfield
1,286 books1,747 followersJack Canfield is an American motivational speaker and author. He is best known as the co-creator of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" book series, which currently has over 124 titles and 100 million copies in print in over 47 languages. According to USA Today, Canfield and his writing partner, Mark Victor Hansen, were the top-selling authors in the United States in 1997.
Canfield received a BA in Chinese History from Harvard University and a Masters from University of Massachusetts. He has worked as a teacher, a workshop facilitator, and a psychotherapist.
Canfield is the founder of "Self Esteem Seminars" in Santa Barbara, and "The Foundation for Self Esteem" in Culver City, California. The stated mission of Self Esteem Seminars is to train entrepreneurs, educators, corporate leaders and employees to achieve their personal and professional goals. The focus of The Foundation for Self Esteem is to train social workers, welfare recipients and human resource professionals.
In 1990,he shared with author Mark Victor Hansen his idea for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. After three years, the two had compiled sixty-eight stories.
Canfield has appeared on numerous television shows, including Good Morning America, 20/20, Eye to Eye, CNN's Talk Back Live, PBS, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Montel Williams Show, Larry King Live and the BBC.
Canfield's most recent book, The Success Principles (2005), shares 64 principles that he claims can make people more successful. In 2006, he appeared in the DVD, "The Secret," and shared his insights on the Law of Attraction and tips for achieving success in personal and professional life.
Jack Canfield was born on August 19, 1944, in Fort Worth, TX. He is the son of Elmer and Ellen (a homemaker; maiden name, Taylor). He attended high school at Linsly Military Institute, Wheeling, WV, 1962. He went to college at Harvard University, B.A., 1966; University of Massachusetts at Amherst, M.Ed., 1973. Canfield married Judith Ohlbaum in 1971 (divorced, November 1976); he married Georgia Lee Noble on September 9, 1978 (divorced, December 1999); he married Inga Marie Mahoney on July 4, 2001; children: (first marriage) Oran, David, Kyle, Dania; (second marriage) Christopher Noble. He is a Democrat and a Christian, and his hobbies include tennis, travel, skiing, running, billiards, reading, and guitar.
Canfield received a BA in Chinese History from Harvard University and a Masters from University of Massachusetts. He has worked as a teacher, a workshop facilitator, and a psychotherapist.
Canfield is the founder of "Self Esteem Seminars" in Santa Barbara, and "The Foundation for Self Esteem" in Culver City, California. The stated mission of Self Esteem Seminars is to train entrepreneurs, educators, corporate leaders and employees to achieve their personal and professional goals. The focus of The Foundation for Self Esteem is to train social workers, welfare recipients and human resource professionals.
In 1990,he shared with author Mark Victor Hansen his idea for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. After three years, the two had compiled sixty-eight stories.
Canfield has appeared on numerous television shows, including Good Morning America, 20/20, Eye to Eye, CNN's Talk Back Live, PBS, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Montel Williams Show, Larry King Live and the BBC.
Canfield's most recent book, The Success Principles (2005), shares 64 principles that he claims can make people more successful. In 2006, he appeared in the DVD, "The Secret," and shared his insights on the Law of Attraction and tips for achieving success in personal and professional life.
Jack Canfield was born on August 19, 1944, in Fort Worth, TX. He is the son of Elmer and Ellen (a homemaker; maiden name, Taylor). He attended high school at Linsly Military Institute, Wheeling, WV, 1962. He went to college at Harvard University, B.A., 1966; University of Massachusetts at Amherst, M.Ed., 1973. Canfield married Judith Ohlbaum in 1971 (divorced, November 1976); he married Georgia Lee Noble on September 9, 1978 (divorced, December 1999); he married Inga Marie Mahoney on July 4, 2001; children: (first marriage) Oran, David, Kyle, Dania; (second marriage) Christopher Noble. He is a Democrat and a Christian, and his hobbies include tennis, travel, skiing, running, billiards, reading, and guitar.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
March 7, 2025
I love the chicken soup for the soul books and of course especially the ones centered on dogs. This one is on pets so includes cats, horses, and other animals but close enough. Especially now that I have a cat in addition to the dog, I can appreciate them as well. This one had exceptionally good stories in it that often pulled at my heart strings. I am pretty sure some of the stories I have read before, but as they are great stories I don’t mind. These stories were great enough to go into my ‘dogs-favorite-books’ shelf, but as it is not just about dogs, will need to settle for just having 5 stars. I will provide excerpts from some of my favorite bits but first wanted to list the dog related Chicken Soup books I have and have read with my ratings.
Title My Rating
Chicken Soup for the Cat & Dog Lover's Soul: Celebrating Pets as Family with Stories About Cats, Dogs and Other Critters 5
Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul: Stories of Canine Companionship, Comedy and Courage 4
Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul: Stories about Pets as Teachers, Healers, Heroes and Friends 5
Chicken Soup for the Soul: I Can't Believe My Dog Did That!: 101 Stories about the Crazy Antics of Our Canine Companions 4.5
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Life Lessons from the Dog 3
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Loving Our Dogs: Heartwarming and Humorous Stories about our Companions and Best Friends 6
Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Very Good, Very Bad Dog: 101 Heartwarming Stories about Our Happy, Heroic Hilarious Pets 3.5
Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Dog Really Did That?: 101 Stories of Miracles, Mischief and Magical Moments 4
Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Magic of Dogs: 101 Tales of Family, Friendship & Fun 5.1
These first bits are from ‘Weep Not’ by Richard Severo. It is about a lady who helped dogs and cats for a long while. Love hearing about people who did this kind of thing before all the rescue organizations had really got started and it was so much more in the public awareness.
Mrs. Stradtner looked for stray animals: the thousands of dogs and cats abandoned every year by people who, having tired of their pets, thought not of bringing them to an animal shelter but of leaving them in a cemetery. Humans may think of cemeteries as woodland-like sanctuaries. But for animals, they are only places to starve to death in the wild.
But Gloria—as everyone called her—was determined that this was not to be. Not for her strays.
And so for fifty years or maybe more (nobody can remember when she did not make the rounds of the graveyards at night), she would go forth, lugging large bags of dog food and cat food and big and small traps of the type that cannot hurt animals. She would bait these traps and go back to her car and wait. In an hour or so, she would return to her traps. Sometimes, she would entrap a dozen animals or more in a single night, her prisoners of love. And then she would feed them.
A poem she was believed to have written was read at her funeral. It was entitled “Weep Not” and began this way:
Do not weep for me when I am gone
For I have friends in the great beyond.
All the little ones I used to feed
Will come to me in my time of need.
They will purr and bark in great delight,
And I will hold and hug them tight.
Oh what a great day that will be
When my furry friends all welcome me.
From the story ‘Fifteen Minutes of Fame’ by Marty Becker, D.V.M I liked this quote. Similar stuff is said about dogs all the time but I still like to hear it.
‘Everybody gets fifteen minutes of fame once in his life. time. We pet owners get our fifteen minutes every time we come home—or even return from the next room.’
From Letters from Vietnam’ by Joe Fulda, we learn of a dog that hijacks and hides letters sent from his owner in Vietnam. Here is a bit from the wrap up at the end after he came back from Vietnam and the dog didn’t need to steal the mail away:
‘However, while packing and preparing to move our next duty station, we did discover a few more postal hideaways containing unopened letters from Vietnam—a reminder that as far as a dog’s nose is concerned, a small object sent by a beloved human that travels nine thousand miles, though handled by dozens of other people still bears a treasured message. I had never realized during all those months when I thought I was writing just to Mycki that I was also sending a uniquely personal greeting to one smart and sharp-nosed little poodle.’
Now that I am a first time cat owner, I can appreciate some good details on a cat from a story A Cat Named Turtle by Ellen Perry Berkeley:
‘Very soon it was also Turtle’s house as she figured out the best spot on our bed (between us, lengthwise) and the sunniest corner of our living room. She had a lot to learn. How to sprawl across my in-basket. How to awaken us for her breakfast. How to keep the house free of the tiny mice sneak inside every autumn, when the cold air ruffles their rodential dispositions. How to launch a steady stream of complaints at the snow. How to stand guard at the bathtub until I could be meowed safely from the water. How to settle her weight on precisely the document might be reading from, or typing from, or writing on.’
From the story ‘Three-dog Night’ by George Feifer we learn of someone going unconscious on a cold night while talking the dogs for their romp.
He had no idea how long he lay there before he sensed that he was not alone. His dogs were breathing above him. They circled him and barked. They're here, he thought. They will not abandon me.
From Prince’s Golden Season by Irving Townsend, about a horse they saved, I like this quote in the end:
‘The life of a horse, often half our own, seems endless until one day.’
And for those who always want to know if Kleenex is needed, I would say a lot for happy stories, but some for the inevitable ending of some dogs in the stories. I still think people need to get over it, like dogs, you miss out on the good if you don’t want to have the sad part that comes with it. We all share the same sentiment when they go like in this story Banjo by David C. Hoopes:
‘All i could think of, as tears ran down my cheeks, was that I wanted him back.
I wanted him waiting for me at the door, barking up a storm and acting as if after ten years he was still amazed that I actually came home to him every day. I wanted to see him wriggling down the hill behind our house on his back, making the first tracks in a freshly fallen snow, | wanted to hear that long, moaning sigh as he fell asleep next to our bed, a sound that clearly said, “This is a fine place to be.”’
I recommend all the Chicken Soup for the Soul stories, but some are better than others like this one. Love how with their short stories they are so easy to pick up and down and so good you don’t usually want to put them down.
Title My Rating
Chicken Soup for the Cat & Dog Lover's Soul: Celebrating Pets as Family with Stories About Cats, Dogs and Other Critters 5
Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul: Stories of Canine Companionship, Comedy and Courage 4
Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul: Stories about Pets as Teachers, Healers, Heroes and Friends 5
Chicken Soup for the Soul: I Can't Believe My Dog Did That!: 101 Stories about the Crazy Antics of Our Canine Companions 4.5
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Life Lessons from the Dog 3
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Loving Our Dogs: Heartwarming and Humorous Stories about our Companions and Best Friends 6
Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Very Good, Very Bad Dog: 101 Heartwarming Stories about Our Happy, Heroic Hilarious Pets 3.5
Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Dog Really Did That?: 101 Stories of Miracles, Mischief and Magical Moments 4
Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Magic of Dogs: 101 Tales of Family, Friendship & Fun 5.1
These first bits are from ‘Weep Not’ by Richard Severo. It is about a lady who helped dogs and cats for a long while. Love hearing about people who did this kind of thing before all the rescue organizations had really got started and it was so much more in the public awareness.
Mrs. Stradtner looked for stray animals: the thousands of dogs and cats abandoned every year by people who, having tired of their pets, thought not of bringing them to an animal shelter but of leaving them in a cemetery. Humans may think of cemeteries as woodland-like sanctuaries. But for animals, they are only places to starve to death in the wild.
But Gloria—as everyone called her—was determined that this was not to be. Not for her strays.
And so for fifty years or maybe more (nobody can remember when she did not make the rounds of the graveyards at night), she would go forth, lugging large bags of dog food and cat food and big and small traps of the type that cannot hurt animals. She would bait these traps and go back to her car and wait. In an hour or so, she would return to her traps. Sometimes, she would entrap a dozen animals or more in a single night, her prisoners of love. And then she would feed them.
A poem she was believed to have written was read at her funeral. It was entitled “Weep Not” and began this way:
Do not weep for me when I am gone
For I have friends in the great beyond.
All the little ones I used to feed
Will come to me in my time of need.
They will purr and bark in great delight,
And I will hold and hug them tight.
Oh what a great day that will be
When my furry friends all welcome me.
From the story ‘Fifteen Minutes of Fame’ by Marty Becker, D.V.M I liked this quote. Similar stuff is said about dogs all the time but I still like to hear it.
‘Everybody gets fifteen minutes of fame once in his life. time. We pet owners get our fifteen minutes every time we come home—or even return from the next room.’
From Letters from Vietnam’ by Joe Fulda, we learn of a dog that hijacks and hides letters sent from his owner in Vietnam. Here is a bit from the wrap up at the end after he came back from Vietnam and the dog didn’t need to steal the mail away:
‘However, while packing and preparing to move our next duty station, we did discover a few more postal hideaways containing unopened letters from Vietnam—a reminder that as far as a dog’s nose is concerned, a small object sent by a beloved human that travels nine thousand miles, though handled by dozens of other people still bears a treasured message. I had never realized during all those months when I thought I was writing just to Mycki that I was also sending a uniquely personal greeting to one smart and sharp-nosed little poodle.’
Now that I am a first time cat owner, I can appreciate some good details on a cat from a story A Cat Named Turtle by Ellen Perry Berkeley:
‘Very soon it was also Turtle’s house as she figured out the best spot on our bed (between us, lengthwise) and the sunniest corner of our living room. She had a lot to learn. How to sprawl across my in-basket. How to awaken us for her breakfast. How to keep the house free of the tiny mice sneak inside every autumn, when the cold air ruffles their rodential dispositions. How to launch a steady stream of complaints at the snow. How to stand guard at the bathtub until I could be meowed safely from the water. How to settle her weight on precisely the document might be reading from, or typing from, or writing on.’
From the story ‘Three-dog Night’ by George Feifer we learn of someone going unconscious on a cold night while talking the dogs for their romp.
He had no idea how long he lay there before he sensed that he was not alone. His dogs were breathing above him. They circled him and barked. They're here, he thought. They will not abandon me.
From Prince’s Golden Season by Irving Townsend, about a horse they saved, I like this quote in the end:
‘The life of a horse, often half our own, seems endless until one day.’
And for those who always want to know if Kleenex is needed, I would say a lot for happy stories, but some for the inevitable ending of some dogs in the stories. I still think people need to get over it, like dogs, you miss out on the good if you don’t want to have the sad part that comes with it. We all share the same sentiment when they go like in this story Banjo by David C. Hoopes:
‘All i could think of, as tears ran down my cheeks, was that I wanted him back.
I wanted him waiting for me at the door, barking up a storm and acting as if after ten years he was still amazed that I actually came home to him every day. I wanted to see him wriggling down the hill behind our house on his back, making the first tracks in a freshly fallen snow, | wanted to hear that long, moaning sigh as he fell asleep next to our bed, a sound that clearly said, “This is a fine place to be.”’
I recommend all the Chicken Soup for the Soul stories, but some are better than others like this one. Love how with their short stories they are so easy to pick up and down and so good you don’t usually want to put them down.
June 27, 2021
5 stars.
-Book for all animal lovers.
-Book for those who are not animal lovers and want to understand the bond and intelligence of animals.
-A book that would also help grief with losing a furry child.
🇺🇸
-Book for all animal lovers.
-Book for those who are not animal lovers and want to understand the bond and intelligence of animals.
-A book that would also help grief with losing a furry child.
🇺🇸
June 26, 2019
Every story basically brought tears to my eyes.
October 30, 2019
It's a chicken soup book... how could it be bad?
Read
March 2, 2017This book is about stories of cats and dogs doing good in the world. It just tells you a whole bunch of stories about dogs and cats helping people with a varitey of things. It is really just chicken soup for the soul.
I like this book because some of the stories really speak to me and show me how good the world can really be. I can really relate to a cat named Otto, he was a ugly smelly kitten who grew up to be a handsome intelligent cat not that i'm not stunning and smell good already but he is a nice cat who stayed by a girls mother in the time of death and the mom did not die like she was suppose to because the cat gave her something to live a little longer. I would recommend this book to anyone who needs a cheering up or likes to be inspired.
I like this book because some of the stories really speak to me and show me how good the world can really be. I can really relate to a cat named Otto, he was a ugly smelly kitten who grew up to be a handsome intelligent cat not that i'm not stunning and smell good already but he is a nice cat who stayed by a girls mother in the time of death and the mom did not die like she was suppose to because the cat gave her something to live a little longer. I would recommend this book to anyone who needs a cheering up or likes to be inspired.
August 15, 2016
Finished this in one sitting, and very much enjoyed these short stories.
September 21, 2017
Though it's a tear-jerker, it's filled with hope and happiness and most importantly, love. Reading Chicken Soup for the Cat & Dog Lover's Soul reassures you that you were right all those times when you thought your pet was amazing, or in tune with your feelings, or whip smart. This collection of stories brings to life the bond between pet and owner, the amazing feats our loved and furry companions are capable of, and how much humans and animals can gain from each other.
Filled with short stories that are well organized into categories, I am very thankful that the author did not make the chapter "Saying Good-bye" the last one, because that nearly wrecked me and I really needed to finish this wonderful treasure off on a good note. There are great quotes and adorable cartoons sprinkled throughout the narrative. Dogs and Cats are the main feature, but there are plenty of other animals included as well including burros, horses, geese, snakes, and hamsters.
If you love animals, you'll love this collection of short stories that honor them.
Filled with short stories that are well organized into categories, I am very thankful that the author did not make the chapter "Saying Good-bye" the last one, because that nearly wrecked me and I really needed to finish this wonderful treasure off on a good note. There are great quotes and adorable cartoons sprinkled throughout the narrative. Dogs and Cats are the main feature, but there are plenty of other animals included as well including burros, horses, geese, snakes, and hamsters.
If you love animals, you'll love this collection of short stories that honor them.
August 19, 2020
Be prepared to cry. I honestly cried so much in this book. Animals mean so much to me and just about anything said about any animal makes me choke up thinking about my own memories with my loved ones. Animals are the thing that has kept my family sane and no matter how much my dad jokes about hating having pets he’s always the one looking to buy a new one... and is always the one to feed them way too much because “they’re too skinny” no dad that is what a healthy dog looks like. I love all of the chicken soup dog and cat or animal books it’s the best thing I’ve ever came upon because hearing other people’s stories makes me not feel crazy when I think that my dog loves me a crazy amount. Animals love so much that it’s crazy and it melts your sorrow away. My family always has more than one dog and every time a dog passes away the other resumes the role of being the healer and the cuddler Every. Time. I can’t thank this book enough for having the good the bad and the in between stories. It lets you have fun but at the same time reminds you to always love your pet
November 28, 2025
Overall, a very sweet compilation of stories. Not all Pulitzer Prize winning entries but you can tell there were some seasoned writers tucked in here. I got a little misty eyed on a few entries and m, of course, the whole chapter on loss was just tough to get through. But pet people know.
I didn’t think I’d run into my “disappointing romance men written before 2005” in a book about pets but…*sigh* here we are. The “Lucy” entry where the author talked about how unhappy her marriage was before she got a dog that could take all her “irritating” need for affection and love that her NEWLYWED HUSBAND just couldn’t be bothered with. “All our problems were solved when I just didn’t ask him for anything anymore.” *throws book across the room*. Carol, throw the whole man away.
I didn’t think I’d run into my “disappointing romance men written before 2005” in a book about pets but…*sigh* here we are. The “Lucy” entry where the author talked about how unhappy her marriage was before she got a dog that could take all her “irritating” need for affection and love that her NEWLYWED HUSBAND just couldn’t be bothered with. “All our problems were solved when I just didn’t ask him for anything anymore.” *throws book across the room*. Carol, throw the whole man away.
March 29, 2025
Included in this book are many stories of love, bonding, healing, teaching, companionship, etc. and they all revolve around people and pets. Other creatures are highlighted in the book besides dogs and cats. Even the section called "Saying Goodbye" is beautifully written, including the statement by Irving Townsend -- "We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own live within a fragile circle, easily and often breached. Yet, we still would live no other way." I have lived with and lost many pets throughout the years, and I wouldn't have wanted to miss a moment of my life with my pet friends.
December 24, 2020
I love reading about pets, especially doggos. There were some sob-fests, some laugh-fests, and some snooze-fests. Almost 400 pages of 2-5 page stories means they can't all be great. Some of the writing styles were tough slogs and not because of the subject matter. But that's to be expected.
With the exception of the chapter of "Saying goodbye" this book made for a great bedtime read. I'd read a story or two or three before turning out the lights. This is the type of book that has a self-selecting readership. If you love pets, you'll enjoy it. If you don't, you won't. 'Nuff Said.
With the exception of the chapter of "Saying goodbye" this book made for a great bedtime read. I'd read a story or two or three before turning out the lights. This is the type of book that has a self-selecting readership. If you love pets, you'll enjoy it. If you don't, you won't. 'Nuff Said.
December 6, 2018
A very pleasant read for an animal lover. Short stories about dogs, cats, and the occasional random other animal. Especially a good book to sit down with when you only have a few mins to read, such as right before bed. I didn't love the chapter about loss (well written stories, but sad), but you can skip that one.
September 22, 2022
This book took me a long time to read, because I never read it without crying. So I would read a handful of awesome stories, cry about them, and then take awhile to pick the book back up again. Not every story included in here is outstanding, but the ones that are - well, they hit the ball out of the park.
June 22, 2017
Highly recommend.....what an awesome collection of stories about pets and their love for those they chose and/or chosen to be loved. Give this book a try.....it's a guarantee you will not be disappointed.
August 16, 2017
Inspirational and entertaining collection of short animal stories that will leave readers with better understanding of "creatures great and small". Whets all emotions from laughing to tears but never leaves you lacking for more true tales.
August 5, 2020
What could be better than chicken soup for dinner the dog lovers soul? Stories that will warm the heart and soul. Some of the stories will have you crying hysterically for your dogs that are now at the rainbow bridge waiting for you (heaven). Highly recommend.
July 15, 2017
This book taught me so much about growing up with animals and how much they effect everyone that has them I loved this.
May 27, 2018
So many wonderful stories and in quickly readable short stories format. Perfect for me!
July 30, 2018
Great little stories. Very inspiring. However, I could not get through the "saying goodbye" section. I chocked up on each story. I have been there.
August 1, 2018
Inspiring and touching, a great collection of short stories.
March 30, 2019
Another great one! Wonderful stories shared by other pet lovers about our furry friends.
July 26, 2019
Way too much animal death in this one for my liking.
October 24, 2019
These are nice <3
December 17, 2019
I always like these books and this one about the love, trust and faith we receive from our pets is top notch.
Read
February 26, 2021Excellent short stories that touch the heart!
September 3, 2021
This was a feel good book that made me want to snuggle my pets more.
October 25, 2021
another good chicken soup!! Totally in the mood for this one as we just got a new cute little pup!!! our 200 pound old english mastiff!!!
December 4, 2021
I love animals.
March 29, 2022
An excellent book!!
June 14, 2022
Good bathroom reading. Short, affirmative stories about animals.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews