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Dog Days: Dispatches from Bedlam Farm

by Jon Katz (Goodreads Author)

3.83 of 5 stars 3.83 · rating details · 818 ratings · 138 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 4 of 5 stars

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 have an...more

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Jan 26, 2011 Julia rated it 4 of 5 stars

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 to say and...more

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Nov 13, 2009 BarkLessWagMore rated it 4 of 5 stars

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 pain and l...more

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Aug 14, 2011 Michelle rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: dogs, nonfiction, memoir, animals

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

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May 16, 2012 Janell rated it 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed getting lost in the loveable chaos of Bedlam Farm. There's so much going on around the place, it seems a new adventure is always right around the corner. Although the title is "Dog Days" and there is plenty of focus on the dogs in this story, the peripheral characters - donkeys, sheep, and a steer named Elvis - also provide plenty of entertainment.

As someone who is quick to anthropomorphize animals, I found it interesting that the author does not. Despite being surrounded by such inte...more

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Apr 08, 2009 Gemma rated it 5 of 5 stars

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 an honesty and introspect...more

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Apr 09, 2009 Cjusti rated it 4 of 5 stars

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 sto...more

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Feb 05, 2013 Lisa (windandthestars) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, borrowed

Dog Days is a book about Jon's life on Bedlam Farm, the farm he owned (until recently) outside of Saratoga Springs (which is north of Albany, which is north of New York City...). It's a quiet, unassuming, and green part of the state for any of you who may have driven through. It's the kind of place you would expect to find farms tucked into the hills, even if one of those farms has an overly affectionate cow, multiple overprotective donkeys, sheep, a rooster with a rather hysterical harem of hen...more Dog Days is a book about Jon's life on Bedlam Farm, the farm he owned (until recently) outside of Saratoga Springs (which is north of Albany, which is north of New York City...). It's a quiet, unassuming, and green part of the state for any of you who may have driven through. It's the kind of place you would expect to find farms tucked into the hills, even if one of those farms has an overly affectionate cow, multiple overprotective donkeys, sheep, a rooster with a rather hysterical harem of hens, the cutest cat ever, and some really awesome dogs.

I know some of you will be surprised that I didn't spend this entire post rambling on about the cat in the book (my favorite quote is about the cat. I feel that's far compensation), but there's so much more to this book than any one animal, than all the animals. Jon's writing is honest in a way that's both heartfelt and breathtakingly refreshing. Jon acknowledges his own fallibility as well as that of others, he admits his mistakes and relishes in his triumphs over them. He talks about his struggles: with himself and with other people. He expresses his point of view but acknowledges that of others.

Jon's stories aren't sugarcoated or moralized, they're warm and personable but straightforward and matter of fact. I love this about his writing. The way he can weave a story out of words that evokes both a deep understanding of the situation and a feeling- sadness, joy, frustration- whatever it may be, in such a seamless fashion. I'm not one to cry over books. I'll get misty eyed, sure, but never has the phrase "raining on my face" applied to a book until now. This certainly wasn't something I expected when I picked up the book, but in the end it's one of my favorite things about this book. There's such a sense of joy and love in this book.

That's not to say the book doesn't touch on serious, less straightforward issues, because it does that too. There's a strong sense of dichotomy in the book: modern life opposite farm life, nature opposite urban areas, flatlanders (outsiders) opposite local farmers. Jon doesn't provide answers to all the questions that result from the differences between these lifestyles and values, but he does a great job of teasing out the nuances of each.
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Mar 15, 2008 Melissa rated it 2 of 5 stars

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 3 of 5 stars

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 abiltie...more

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Aug 14, 2012 Kelley rated it 3 of 5 stars

"currently reading" 02Aug2012 I really enjoyed reading "A Dog Year: Twelve Months, Four Dogs, and Me" by this author, but was slightly put off (my own hang up)by "The Dogs of Bedlam Farm: An Adventure with Sixteen Sheep, Three Dogs, Two Donkeys, and Me" because I am rubbed the wrong way by "hobby agriculturalists". However, I forgot the book I was reading when I was on a trip, and I found a used copy of "Dog Days: Dispatches from Bedlam Farm", and I do like his writing style and perspective, so...more

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May 08, 2012 JennLynn rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2012-library

Pleasant autobiographical book about life on a small hobby farm in upstate New York. Although dogs are (obviously) the focus, there is a whole cast of supporting characters including Elvis the steer, Jesus the baby donkey, and a chorus of sheep. Stars of the book are a pair of border collies: Rose, a veteran sheep herder, and three year old Izzy, a recent rescue with incredible instincts but no formal training. We watch as Izzy's skills and relationship with Jon blossom with time and patience. I...more

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May 06, 2010 Eva Leger rated it 3 of 5 stars 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 what you'd call...more 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 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 2 of 5 stars

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 farm....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.
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May 19, 2008 Sfdreams rated it 4 of 5 stars 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.

This book in...more 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.

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 Barbara rated it 2 of 5 stars · 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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Apr 29, 2013 Rebecca rated it 3 of 5 stars

An interesting autobiography of Katz who has left life in NJ to live on a farm in upstate New York. It was well written, but definitely had a bit too much of Katz’s whining about his health. The stories about the animals were good, but there were too many long winded rambles about his theories on owning dogs. Overall, a good read if you are willing to do a fair amount of skimming.

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Jun 23, 2012 Sally rated it 4 of 5 stars

John Katz is a writer that lives on a small farm in Vermont; his wife lives in New York because of her job, along with their daughter. He presents interesting stories about his farm animals and how he acquired them, as well as the variety of people that help him at his small farm. Pleasant read, especially for anyone who likes animals--and particularly dogs. Nice writing style.

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Jul 05, 2012 Teena in Toronto rated it 4 of 5 stars

What an excellent book! Amazon is right in saying that this is a must-read for all animal lovers!

Katz has a good heart with the animals but also with the people who work on the farm and in the community.

I'd definitely recommend this book. It's the first one I've read by Katz (who ironically writes dog books!) but it won't be my last.

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Jun 09, 2011 Red rated it 3 of 5 stars · 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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May 22, 2013 Debra rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: dogs, memoir, non-fiction

Jon follows up the story of Orson wo we find out what happens afterwards. Four dogs (Rose, Izzy, Pearl and Clem), four donkeys, Mother the cat, two cows, a rooster named Winston, chickens and innumerable sheep make up the Bedlam Farm menangerie. Book ends on the one-year anniversary of Orson's death.

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Feb 21, 2010 Helen rated it 3 of 5 stars 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 world...more

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Jul 20, 2012 Stephanie A. rated it 3 of 5 stars

I'm addicted to the vision of rural living, but still do not agree with all his philosophies on animal care. Or his philosophies on commuter marriage. And it’s getting sad and uncomfortable to keep reading about his physical ailments. I'm about to jump ship on Katz books.

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Jul 14, 2009 tana rated it 2 of 5 stars

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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Dec 20, 2012 Sacramento Public Library added it · review of another edition

Shelves: staff-pick, non-fiction, audio

These are mostly dog stories, but the book also comes with the bonus of equally lovable donkeys, sheep, and cows (as well as a newbie farmer who is still learning the ropes). A great audiobook to take with you on a long drive in the country.

-Tracey

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Aug 03, 2011 LeeAnn *the crazy, hell on wheels crip* rated it 5 of 5 stars

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 3 of 5 stars

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 4 of 5 stars

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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Jun 14, 2012 Carolyn rated it 3 of 5 stars

Enjoyed this one by Katz but not as much as "A Good Dog". His readers must be so hungry for his work that all he needs to do is pump out journal-esque books like this. It was enjoyable and I'll likely read more by Katz in the future . . .

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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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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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