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Dog Days: Dispatches from Bedlam Farm

by Jon Katz (Goodreads Author)

3.78 · rating details · 562 ratings · 114 reviews

In Dog Days, Jon Katz, the squire of Bedlam Farm, allows us to live our dreams of leaving the city for the country, and shares the unpredictable adventure of farm life. The border collies, the sheep, the chickens, the cat, the ram, and one surprisingly sociable steer named Elvis all contribute to the hum (and occasional roar) of Bedlam. On timeless summer days and in punis...more

Hardcover, 273 pages

Published June 26th 2007 by Villard

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Aug 11, 2008

Lynn rated it

I began with 'A Dog Year' several years ago and it will always be on a short list of favorite books for me. 'Dog Days' is the continuing story of Jon Katz and his life on Bedlam Farm(with several other books in between). He continues to adjust to now a variety of animals, but with special emphasis on his dogs and their roles in his life and on the farm. He is very open about his struggles in life and how animals have played a strong role in life changes he has made. It in no way makes me hav...more

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Jan 26, 2011

Julia rated it

Shelves: memoir, non-fiction, upstate-ny-setting-moment-idea

I read this because Jon Katz, who lives a few counties away, came to my public library (standing room only!) to talk about his writing, his newest novel Rose in a Storm, writing in general, living with dogs and other animals on a farm in Upstate New York.

I live in Upstate, some of my friends live on farms, but I do not. And I've never had a dog. I don't want to live on a farm, thank you! I'm more of a cat person. (Please don't hurt me, all you dog lovers!) I like a lot of what he had...more

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Nov 13, 2009

BarkLessWagMore rated it

Shelves: audiobook

I enjoyed this book so very much and am going to search out his others. The author chronicles his life as a newish care-taker of various animals including dogs, donkeys, sheep and even two cows. His rural neighbors are friendly but I guess think he's a little odd what with his penchant for taking in useless animals such as donkeys but it seems he's winning at least a few of them over as one asks him to "buy" a cow that he just can't bring to slaughter. The book is filled with love and ...more

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Aug 14, 2011

Michelle rated it

Shelves: dogs, nonfiction, memoir, animals

This book is written by an ignorant man. He buys MULTIPLE border collies, without any experience and ends up having his "heart dog" killed because he couldn't be arsed to take the time to properly train and manage him. If he worked with a behaviorist, I could respect his decision, but he didn't. He was treating a working animal like a pet, when the temperaments are completely different. He also throws one of the dogs with the sheep to teach itself--a recipe for disaster.

...more

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Apr 08, 2009

Gemma rated it

Shelves: dogs, non-fiction

Another wonderful installment of Katz's life on a small farm in West Hebron, NY.

I picked up my first Katz book entirely on a whim. I saw a border collie on the cover, scan read the blurb, and threw it onto a huge pile of library books I was collecting. Once I started reading, I was hooked, and I've been eagerly tracking down his books ever since.

In this installment, we're reminded of the animal cast at his farm, and introduced to new faces. Katz continues to write with a...more

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Apr 09, 2009

Cjusti rated it

Shelves: critters, audio

This book gives the individual who has an aspirations of becoming a farmer or wanting to have a ranch a hard reality check. Farmers and ranchers who raise animals as a means of making a living, have to make some very hard decisions and they make them matter-of-factly and swiftly. Jon like most city folks wants to treat every critter as if they were a pet. He comes to find out that it is one thing to go to great lengths to care for a dog, no matter the medical costs, but an entirely different ...more

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Mar 15, 2008

Melissa rated it

I wanted to like this book a lot more than I did. The dogs were awesome, and the pictures were great, but this guy is no James Herriott. His writing was repetitive and just not all that interesting in a lot of places. I want to read about your kick-ass dogs, not the Grunt-and-Grumble-whatever.

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Apr 13, 2010

Forrest rated it

I enjoyed reading this book. This is the first Jon Katz book I have read. After reading this book, I will seek out books written by him. I picked out this book only as a lark, but happy I selected it. I agree with Katz philosophy about dogs - that they are animals, companions and soul-mates, but they are not human. Katz does a good job in communicating his love for his dogs, Rose, Izzy, Pearl and Clem. Each dog, two of them working dogs, have their own characteristics, personalities, and ab...more

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May 06, 2010

Eva rated it

Recommends it for: open minded dog lovers/owners

Recommended to Eva by: Suzanna

Shelves: autos-bios-memoirs, b-non-fiction, pets-animals

I wasn't sure what I'd think of Dog Days because I'm kind of picky with the dog books I read. I ended up enjoying this and not picking up anythng else while I was reading this. If we had the option of half stars I'd give it a 3.5 for sure. And I'm definitely more eager to read more of his books, especially the two or three I already have stashed somewhere.
Katz isn't your average dog owner. This is the reason I recommend it to "open-minded" dog lovers and owners. I wasn't really ...moreI wasn't sure what I'd think of Dog Days because I'm kind of picky with the dog books I read. I ended up enjoying this and not picking up anythng else while I was reading this. If we had the option of half stars I'd give it a 3.5 for sure. And I'm definitely more eager to read more of his books, especially the two or three I already have stashed somewhere.
Katz isn't your average dog owner. This is the reason I recommend it to "open-minded" dog lovers and owners. I wasn't really what you'd call an open-minded dog lover before this book though. So, one could say it's changed me. Katz has a lot of great ideas on how to get along with dogs (as well as other animals) and how to make sure your dog has a great life. I was intrigued with his thinking that a dog may just have a better life somewhere else. So many of us think that it's a horror to give a dog up - even if that dog maybe wasn't getting the best life. Granted, most dog lovers would give a dog up for a better life in certain circumstances but from all that I've seen those circumstances would need to be severe. Katz thinks just the opposite and he's so in tune with his animals that he can pick up on the little things that most of us miss.
I still disagree with some of what he subscribes to but he's so obviously an animal lover and he so obviously takes such good care of them that it doesn't even bother me. There are things he can do that I could never, ever do. I couldn't shoot a dog for instance. There are times when he's had to do just that on his farm. That brings to me to mentioning that he's totally updated my view of farms. I live near dozens of farms, the minute I leave my development I drive by many. But I never stopped to think of all that goes on on any of those farms. Dog Days is interesting in many aspects.
I think anyone very rigid in their beliefs of dog ownership would maybe not like this but anyone else could probably appreciate it. I loved the few pictures he stuck in too! Those really brought the animals to life for me. I know I'd love to meet Elvis and Jeanneatte and Jesus! Not to mention all of the dogs. And Clem reminded me to much of the yellow Lab I lost this time last year - that was a special plus for me. Thanks Suzanna! (less)

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Apr 14, 2011

Angela Gaskell rated it

Shelves: reviewed, animal-welfare, memoir

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I liked this book because it was about a farm and anything about animals I am curious. However, by the end the book was okay to me. First I thought the chronology scattered about in a way that was confusing at times. For instance, the author would begin a story and in the middle talk about something else and then return to the story later. It was a bit all over the place. It wasn’t until halfway through that I even realized and said to myself, “Oh, now I get it, it’s about his dogs on his ...more I liked this book because it was about a farm and anything about animals I am curious. However, by the end the book was okay to me. First I thought the chronology scattered about in a way that was confusing at times. For instance, the author would begin a story and in the middle talk about something else and then return to the story later. It was a bit all over the place. It wasn’t until halfway through that I even realized and said to myself, “Oh, now I get it, it’s about his dogs on his farm.” The tangents were uncontrolled and this should have been caught during its editing. I didn’t understand the whole significance of “dog days” until the last fifth of the book! It was a strange read in a way. The organization didn’t hit me until well after I was halfway through reading and almost didn’t want to continue.

I also wasn’t satisfied questioning his wife’s role throughout the book. The author would mention Paula and that was it. Not until the end was I satisfied. There was a part about her influence and work and their relationship. I just felt a little lost in the narrative sometimes but kept reading and took the stories for what they were worth in that paragraph. I knew, perhaps, that the next paragraph and sometimes sentence would be off topic and onto something else, even when I just started getting into the one he was telling previous to switching gears. I thought the writing was okay.

A moment that I thought could have been omitted, unless the author wanted to treat the incident with more respect and come up with a solution in his book, so it didn’t happen again was this insensitive moment, “I learn that a neighbor brush-hogging his meadow with a tractor unknowingly ran over and killed two fawns, and then the mother, who gave her life trying to protect them” (258). I mean really. That’s all he writes and I had to read it at least five times because I was so disturbed that these people didn’t even know. If their farms are too big for them to properly observe then they need more eyes, common sense, or less land to be responsible for. What a horrible accident. I couldn’t imagine it happening to me. What a tragedy that this “neighbor” farmer didn’t even think twice about.

My favorite sentences are the following:

“In my experience, there’s often a sad loneliness about men, a tendency to push critical things – friendship, love, peace of mind – aside.” (205)

“The perfect life is like a perfect dog: Neither exists, except in the fervid imaginations of humans, whose fantasies often drive their expectations beyond reality.” (222-3)

I guess once my friend mentioned that this was the second book and that I should read the first one, is when I continued to give the book and writer a chance. I may have a better perspective once I read about the infamous and inspiring Orson in the first book and how this furry companion – soul mate dog – of his brought him to break down and buy the farm to begin with. To me the whole thing was a bit overindulgent and just okay to me.
(less)

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May 19, 2008

Sfdreams rated it

Recommends it for: dog lovers, animal lovers, jon katz fans

Shelves: reviewed

I have been a fan of Jon Katz for many years. I REALLY enjoyed his suburban dectective series--I wish he still wrote mysteries. But his nonfiction dog books give me a glimpse into his life. And it almost makes me want to have my own small farm. (But I know I am too lazy to all the work it takes to keep a farm going, and would need lots of $$$ to hire others to do it for me!)

I read this book in two days, then gave it to my 85 year old father, who read it in about the same time frame. ...moreI have been a fan of Jon Katz for many years. I REALLY enjoyed his suburban dectective series--I wish he still wrote mysteries. But his nonfiction dog books give me a glimpse into his life. And it almost makes me want to have my own small farm. (But I know I am too lazy to all the work it takes to keep a farm going, and would need lots of $$$ to hire others to do it for me!)

I read this book in two days, then gave it to my 85 year old father, who read it in about the same time frame.

This book in particular made me re-think how I feel about my own animals. Specifically, that no matter how much you may love an animal, it may be better for that animal to live with someone else, no matter how hard it is on you.

There are two cats that are living with us that I am considering trying to relocate for their own sakes. One is a formerly feral cat, whom I completely adore, but is stalked and hounded by other cats in my household. She basically lives in my bedroom. I am now thinking that perhaps I should find her another loving home where she is the queen of all. The other is a recent addtion, a stray kitten that we were not able to find her owners. She is constantly growling at all the other animals (in fact, that's usually how I know where she is!) The problem is, she's not all that loving to people (maybe why she was lost and starving in the first place?) and would be hard to place. Plus, I don't believe in outdoor cats--it's just a too hard and dangerous life.

I will say that I don't totally agree with Jon's views on animals--I am more like his "Farm Goddess" who loves and respects ALL animals. I believe that we are all ONE, including all animals and other life (why I am vegetarian/vegan)and would never consider an animal a "number". (In the book, he mentions that when you call a vet, the vet asks if the animal has a number or a name; the inference being that animals with numbers are property and animals with names are a part of the family.)I hope that someday Jon will see his sheep as "names" and not numbers.(less)

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May 25, 2010

Barb rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: animals-dogs-cats-horses-other

I listened to this on audio. This one was just okay for me. It's about life on the farm where dogs are herding sheep, donkeys grazing in the pasture and how the dogs know their jobs so well. I know there's a little more to it than that. The author seems to be a good writer and I will try a few more of his books and see how that goes. I love dogs, but this one was just a little bit boring.

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Jun 09, 2011

Red rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: dog lovers, and country-living wannabes

Shelves: animal, audio-books, library-or-borrowed, non-fiction, read-in-2011

I enjoyed hearing the stories of life on this hobby farm. But I'm not sure I like Mr. Katz' writing style enough to seek out any of his other books. The book it seems is a collection of individual, stand-alone essays, and as such, when read one after the other, they are very repetitive on some aspects. Even within an essay he tends to repeat himself a lot. I found that to be pretty tedious, and boring. Other then that one aspect, the content was very enjoyable.

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Feb 21, 2010

Helen rated it

Recommends it for: Jon Katz fans, memoir

Jon Katz seems to have moved away from his original purpose of writing books about the challenges of raising dogs. Although there are some chapters in this book about his beloved dogs (Rose, Izzy, Pearl, Clementine), much of the book is about the trials and tribulations of becoming a farm owner. His menagerie grows to include several donkeys, a rooster, cows and of course, sheep. The book reads like a series of memoirs - with chapters focusing on one or more of the animals or people in his wo...more

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Jul 14, 2009

tana rated it

I absolutely adored "A Dog Year" and had great expectations for this book. But I was floored when I found out that he had had Orson killed, and I could not read this book with an open mind. I lost respect for the man and can never read one of his books again.

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Aug 03, 2011

LeeAnn *the crazy, hell on wheels crip* rated it

Shelves: audiobooks, human-animal-interest

i love this book! i am almost done with it, on chapter 17 [of 20]. i'm listening to the audiobook this time... if you love any animal created, especially dogs - read this or get the audio version. you'll laugh, cry, want to be in the story itself!

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Jun 01, 2010

Cheryl rated it

I ran across this book while looking at gardening books, and took it home because of the picture on the cover. I liked this book for a relaxing easy read - really just stories from the farm...about the animals and the neighbors and of course the dogs.

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May 26, 2009

Sue rated it

Naturally, people refer me to pet books all the time, but this one came highly recommended because of the way it was written, as well as the content. I am SO glad I picked it up (and couldn't put it down.) Now I must read all the other 16 in the series!

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Jul 07, 2011

Evelyn added it

In my opion this book was really good because of the fact that it gave a story about a man and his farm with four dogs, sheep cattle, a cow and donkeys. Three of his dogs are sheep dogs and one is a yellow lab.

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Feb 20, 2009

Linda Stephens rated it

i devoured this book in a weekend. i love books about animals and like my other pick the "Daily coyote" the author leads my dream life of giving up surburban-urban life for country-farm living. very good book

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Feb 19, 2010

Suzanna rated it

A nice happy read about a man trying to do right by his dogs, and admitting he's not perfect. Humorous anectedotes about sheep, cows, dogs and people. I read this book when I want to feel better.

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Nov 01, 2009

Brittany rated it

So far this book has made me realize that deep down I'd rather be outside all day working with the animals than sitting at a desk... even if I only live vicariously through this writer. Great book for those who wish the same...

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Feb 01, 2009

Kim rated it

Very sweet and an honest look at time on his farm, his relationships, and himself. I very much enjoyed his relationships with his animals and how he grew because of them.

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Apr 18, 2011

Sherry rated it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Feb 07, 2009

Stacey Remick-Simkins rated it

· review of another edition

This is a book not just about a wonderful farm but it is a story about an individual's journey to his own peace and life meaning. It is a glorious read - something that instills a sense of the sacredness of life.

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Aug 12, 2011

Sara Crowell rated it

This is the fifth book I've read by Katz. I enjoyed it as much as the others. He returns to telling of life on his farm with his beloved pets/animals. If you enjoy reading about animals and their role in modern times, give it a read.

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Jan 28, 2010

Irene rated it

Shelves: 50-in-2010

Not laugh-out-loud funny like Katz' A Dog Year, but still an amusing, insightful picture of life on Bedlam farm and what it's like to live with various dogs, roosters, cats, cows, sheep, etc.

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Feb 24, 2008

Lisa rated it

"In Dog Days: Dispatches from Bedlam Farm", Jon Katz shares his stories of living on a farm in Vermont with dogs, sheep, donkeys, chickens, a couple of cows and various other animals. Motivated to move north to give his beloved border collie a place to herd sheep, Katz began to take in animals and adapt to life on a farm. Each chapter is a stand-alone story in which we learn more about the animals on his farm, his neighbors and fellow farmers, and mostly Jon Katz. Katz has written a ...more

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May 30, 2011

Melissa rated it

I LOVE the Jon Katz books about his dogs and farm. They are always a fast read for me because I cannot put them down.

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Feb 24, 2011

Dorothy Elliott added it

Love Jon Katz's stories about his dogs and the adventures they have and where loving dogs leads him in his life.

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About Jon Katz

Jon Katz is an author, photographer, and children's book writer. He lives on Bedlam Farm with his wife, the artist Maria Wulf, his four dogs, Rose, Izzy, Lenore and Frieda, two donkeys, Lulu and Fanny, and two barn cats. His next book, "Rose In A Storm" will be published by Random House on October 5.
He is working on a collection of short stories and a book on animal grieving.

More about Jon Katz...

Books by Jon Katz

A Dog Year: Twelve Months, Four Dogs, and Me

A Good Dog: The Story of Orson, Who Changed My Life

The Dogs of Bedlam Farm: An Adventure with Sixteen Sheep, Three Dogs, Two Donkeys, and Me

Izzy & Lenore: Two Dogs, an Unexpected Journey, and Me

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