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5th out of 5 books
—
5 voters
Dog is My Co-Pilot: Great Writers on the World's Oldest Friendship
by
Bark,
Claudia Kawczynska , Alice Walker , Caroline Knapp , Ann Patchett , Maxine Kumin , Margaret Cho , Susan Straight (Goodreads Author)
,
more…
Dogs have been our muses, our mentors, and our playful and noble co-pilots. They’ve had a profound influence on us as healers and spiritual guides, and also as co-workers, helping to guide, hunt, herd, search, and rescue. Our bond with dogs is deep and unbreakable, and there’s no better source a reader can turn to for a richer understanding of that complex and wonderful re...more
Paperback, 288 pages
Published
October 26th 2004
by Crown Archetype
(first published 2003)
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I always seem to review the imperfect books, never the no-holds-barred, near-perfect blow-outs. But this is a three due mostly to its being an anthology. 20% of the essays (Or short stories? Weird mix - sometimes I wasn't sure which I was reading, which I admit would've affected my perception of the pieces' strengths and weaknesses) could've easily been cut.
But there is simply so much loveliness to be found here. This is (rarely) a sappy, uber-sentimental bit of fluff. The writing here digs int...more
But there is simply so much loveliness to be found here. This is (rarely) a sappy, uber-sentimental bit of fluff. The writing here digs int...more
There were honestly only a few stories in here that I actually enjoyed and those were by authors that I have read before. They started and ended kind of in the middle of a bigger story. A lot of the authors were really out there and abstract, not my kind of writing usually. Even the stories at the end about saying goodbye didn't evoke much emotional response from me and I am a crier when I read those types of stories. The book was super easy and if I had sat down and read it in decent stretches...more
I thought this anthology was pretty well put together, with its collections of short stories, essays, etc grouped into topics such as "Beginnings, Lessons, and Passages". This book is what it set out to be: a celebration of the "unique bond between humans and canines". It was not a super fast read for me because some of the stories are obviously better than others, but I did laugh, I did cry, and I did relate to much of what was shared in this book.
Not to be disloyal to my core felinity or anything...I bought this collection for a friend who recently adopted a lab mix he named Sadie. Opened it to an essay by Alice Walker about her girl-dog Marley...and wept.
I am so thrilled to be on a planet that has Alice Walker...when she's on, I have literally never read more luminous prose nor witnessed such brilliance in pattern and rythm.
No idea how the rest will read but the first essay completely knocked me on my ass.
Also beautiful is when literar...more
I am so thrilled to be on a planet that has Alice Walker...when she's on, I have literally never read more luminous prose nor witnessed such brilliance in pattern and rythm.
No idea how the rest will read but the first essay completely knocked me on my ass.
Also beautiful is when literar...more
I thought the stories were uneven which is why I gave it 3 stars. Short essays by different writers by definition are uneven. On the whole I would say that the pieces I liked, I loved. Some were tender without being maudlin and some funny with out being snide. I don't have a dog but nonetheless this was an enjoyable read and gave insight into life and the love, comfort and companionship dogs offer to their humans.
Nov 14, 2009
Jamie
is currently reading it
I'm loving most of the stories in the book. It's about dogs after all, my second favorite beings in the world next to Wolves! It contains a story each by two of my favorite writers: Pam Houston, and Caroliine Knapp, and a slew of other famous writers who write mainly humorous and heart tugging stories of our best friend, family member, and companion
Dec 28, 2009
Michelle
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
dog lovers, people that don't understand dog lovers
A lovely collection of stories. I liked how balanced it was; there is such a wide range of meanings to loving one's dog, and this anthology ran the gamut of philosophies. While that meant some stories resonated with me far less than others, I also think it means there is something in here that should appeal to any dog lover. Same goes for the variety in writing styles, genres, and moods--some had me smiling for days, or made me rush to hug my own pups, the way they could put into words what I kn...more
A good collection of short essays on our relationships with dogs. I am a first time dog owner and she has changed my life. It was nice to read that I am not the only one who has such an intense bond with an animal. One or two of the essays were not up to the others but that is to be expected from any collection.
Jul 25, 2010
Gypsy Lady
marked it as to-read
ref Ann Patchett's great Reads
"Dog Is My Co-Pilot embraces the full experience of the world’s oldest friendship. For people who love great writing and, yes, great dogs, it’s a book to be both shared and treasured.
"Dog Is My Co-Pilot embraces the full experience of the world’s oldest friendship. For people who love great writing and, yes, great dogs, it’s a book to be both shared and treasured.
Holy cow. This book is astounding and incredibly moving. To me, anyway, because I am realizing that dog IS my copilot.
Finished it. As it is a collection of pieces by many different writers, some stood out for me, most notably the one about the Irish Wolfhound and the important rules for living he taught her that allowed her to have a happy marriage. Very moving tale. I skipped through a few of the chapters, laughed at a few of them, lingered here and there and even thought to look up other thin...more
Finished it. As it is a collection of pieces by many different writers, some stood out for me, most notably the one about the Irish Wolfhound and the important rules for living he taught her that allowed her to have a happy marriage. Very moving tale. I skipped through a few of the chapters, laughed at a few of them, lingered here and there and even thought to look up other thin...more
Pretty sure I never need to write anything about dogs--it's all here. A collection of short essays on dogs. My favorite essays were in the Passages section.
And the cover dog looks like my puppy with a tail.
And the cover dog looks like my puppy with a tail.
I often have problems with short story collections. The quality of the writing can vary wildly from writer to writer, number one. And number two, I have issues with short stories in general. I like to get to know my characters and when I'm reading a short story, I feel like I'm just starting to get to know them and suddenly they're gone and the story is finished. I want more!
But this collection was wonderful. Just a group of almost uniformly wonderful writers, writing about dogs. Some really exc...more
But this collection was wonderful. Just a group of almost uniformly wonderful writers, writing about dogs. Some really exc...more
Good read! I laughed, I didn't cry but definitely had tears in my eyes, and I related to many of these dog owners. Not sappy stories, but real stories about the bond between people and their dogs. It was sitting on my shelf for years - I'm glad I finally picked it up and read it.
What a wonderful collection of essays, short stories and commentaries on our relationship with dogs. I thoroughly enjoyed working my way through the book, which is divided into four sections: Beginnings explores that first meeting, “the initial murmurings when a dog-human relationship is formed.” Pack investigates the theme of “togetherness” and pays tribute to the dynamic of multiple personalities in the canine-human relationship. Lessons examines what dogs teach us, from love to enlightenment....more
My favorite kind of book - a collection of extremely well-written essays that touched and moved me in different ways. Highly recommend to any dog-lover.
Oct 05, 2011
Deirdre Keating
marked it as to-read
Would be a good library checkout for the essays by a few authors I really enjoy.
I loved the smorgasbord of short stories about dogs: thoughtful, touching, irreverent.
A short one that filled the gaps in a boring day... Kept my entertained for sure.
May 03, 2013
Andrea
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Dog lovers
Recommended to Andrea by:
Gift from husband
Shelves:
dogs
Loved it! Turns out, having a dog in the family creates universal experiences so special that they feel like a gift only you know about. I had to laugh at the nearly page-long description of that writer's list of nicknames for their dog. And I found it interesting that so many of the writers felt they had to admit it silly to have such love and admiration placed on their beloved dogs. I have never felt any embarrassment over my strong feelings towards my two furry loves and think we should rejoi...more
This has every great writer of dogs in it! READ THIS BOOK!
Wonderful collection. All dog-lovers should have a copy.
A charming collection of literary essays about the relationships between dogs and their humans. I was especially taken with it because of its avoidance of the syrupy emotionality that often comes from animal stories. You know that when Maxine Kumin, Alice Walker, and Mark Doty are writing that it's not going to be sappy. These are beautiful stories, but stories that also insist on being taken seriously on their own merit.
Great storytelling, wonderful perspectives, heatwarming.
great book of literary essays on Dogs
Ok, so this book is pretty much just for dog lovers. It is a collection of essays, some really good, some not so good, most fairly good. It is from the editors of "The Bark" which I've read in Barnes and Noble though haven't gotten around to subscribing to. Overall, it's a fun read. If you are nuts about your pooch/es like me then you will enjoy it. If you keep your dog outside in a pen you will think all the essays are written by lunatics. If you don't have a dog or are cat crazy then you might...more
This book made my heart swell! A must read for dog lovers.
Enjoyable, heart-warming collection of essays about dogs and their people that love them. Highly recommend.
One of my favorite books of all time. I loved every story in this book. It was happy, sad and enlightening. Recommended reading for all dog people.
If you've ever liked a dog, loved a dog, or lost a dog - and these things had an impact on your life - then this is a good read.
Some GREAT stories. A few I wasn't that keen on but really liked most. Had to say I wasn't happy with the woman who who wrote a story about her dog Sheila...who she got after losing another female of the same breed, ALSO named Sheila!!! That too weird to name the new dog after the dead one!!!
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Jun 25, 2010 08:24am