Diary of a Dog Walker: Time Spent Following a Lead

by Edward Stourton

Based on the popular series of articles appearing fortnightly in the Telegraph , Ed Stourton muses on the meaning of life and all things canine as he walks his dog Kudu.

Anyone who ever walks a dog will know that if you are accompanied by a dog you can talk to anyone, and anyone can talk to you -- about anything. What is more, while we may know that a dog is just a dog, we continue to allow ourselves to speak and think of our dogs as friends, individuals with a full claim on our affections. "The reward is that dog-walking becomes like reading a novel, or watching a disbelief is suspended and for an hour or so, we are given licence to escape ordinary life. Fantasy flourishes and really quite trivial moments in a dog's life become a source of wonder to be laughed about and even worried over."

As Ed Stourton takes Kudu for his walk he finds himself considering the whole gamut of things Just how well does he know Kudu -- and can our dogs know us as well?; do dogs perceive ownership as we do? How devoted is a dog? Are dogs ever really guilty? And why are they a symbol of depression when so much of the time our dogs cheer us up... ? Along the way he finds himself exploring much bigger subjects -- war, bravery; office politics, current affairs, all given sudden levity and a new sanity when viewed through the prism of walking the dog.

Funny, touching and surprisingly revealing -- this is a sparkling source of amusement and comfort for dog-walkers everywhere.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Biography, Dogs, Essays

191 pages, Hardcover

First published June 9, 2011

About the author

Edward Stourton is a newspaper columnist, writer and presenter of several high-profile current affairs programmes and regularly presents BBC Radio Four programmes such as The World at One, The World this Weekend, Sunday and Analysis. He is a frequent contributor to the Today programme, where for ten years he was one of the main presenters.

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 1 out of 5]

My first solid issue with this book was in Stourton’s ridicule of Peter Singer’s moral philosophy with regards to animals being deserving of kindness due to sentience, regardless of intelligence. Stourton finds this preposterous and prefers to believe that animals are worthless if not for human use.

I ploughed on, hopeful, but was met within a few pages by the author’s dislike of farmers who wish dogs to be on a lead around livestock, his describing a Rottweiler puppy as a “weapon dog” with apparently no other crime than its breed, and then claiming that although bitches shouldn’t be allowed out of the house when in heat, that it was absurd to suggest his own dog be castrated as this would mean he was no longer truly male.

With no plot, interesting commentary, or likeable characters, it became swiftly clear that drinking a jug of anal gland secretion would be more enjoyable than continuing to read this book.

Diary of a Dog Walker has now been rehomed to the bin (as I hope may one day happen to Stourton’s morality) as it has no place in my house or in a healthy, dog-loving society.

Lovely cover art though.

[Hannah Ouston · Rating 2 out of 5]

A disappointing read with misogynistic and alpha overtones that just made it unpleasant. Even the good dogs who shared their stories couldn’t make it better.

[Nicki Kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐A delightful book. What a charming read. Edward tells us of his many thoughts and interactions with people he meets out and about whilst walking his dog Kudu. A book that any dog walker will enjoy. The bond between Edward and Kudu is heartwarming. This is a warm and fuzzy book that will do leave the reader feeling cosy. #diaryofadogwalker #edwardstourton #tea_sipping_bookworm #litsy #goodreads #bookstagram #bookqueen #amazonkindle

[Isla Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting in parts - funny at times. Some bits focussing on the authors journalism didn't interest me so much, even though journalism does interest me, it got a bit bland at times, though I did like the talk of sniffer dogs - the science behind dogs sniffing out cancer etc. This really wasn't a gripping read but it is somewhat entertaining and mildly enjoyable, so its not awful either, just an ok casual read at best.

[Katrin V · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I knew the author in his serious broadcasting role I would probably have enjoyed this book better. I however, don't know much about him, and found his doggy observations quite accurate, but although well written, slightly too full of the author. Perhaps a dog enthusiast at the jail will be thrilled.

[Anni · Rating 3 out of 5]

"From Kudu I have learnt the value of the imaginative meander - sniffling about where the fancy strikes and follow a lead, without worrying too much about where it will take me. Kudu stories often have a beginning and a middle, but often no particular end."

[Rose · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book seemed promising in the first few pages but there is not a lot of dog walking in it.
Sadly, what could have been a charming book was utterly ruined for me by the inclusion of tales of animal cruelty -vivisection and dog fighting amongst others.

[Eva Malkki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting look at the various aspects of dog-walking, dog ownership, dogs in art and politics, etc. I wasn't a big fan of Stourton's style, though, or of his generalisations about cultures other than his own.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I 💕 doggos and I 💕 this book. Well written, sweet, sentimental, and a joy to read.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to skip a few pages as some passages dwelt on past mistreatment of man's best friend.
Some nice anecdotes though.
A fairly quick and easy read

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was rather disappointed with this book by a broadacaster I often hear on BBC Radio 4. I'd heard about it and expected something more than a cosy set of dog anecdotes and more along the lines of the interesting people he'd met whilst walking the dog and what he had thought about when your mind goes free, dog walking having potential as a moving meditation.

I hadn't realised that the book was based on a column he wrote for the Daily Telegraph. I thought it was a nice approach not simply to produce collected columns but to include them but with plenty of commentary. He had clearly done some reading and thinking rather than pure off the top of his head rambling - he has followed a lead, granted, but he refers in passing to his journalistic work and an occasion where he 'couldn't make the story stand up' and that's rather how I feel about his book.

[Evanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a while to "get" this book, as I hadn't been aware of the Telegraph column, nor am I much of a Radio 4 listener (Radio 1 actually...) So when I was given this book as a present, because I own a dog, I waited for it to grab me. It took a while, as I absolutely HATE dog owners who pander to their pets, and Stourton definitely does that. But I finally understood there isn't any thing TO "get". Its just sweet stories about a man and his dog, and they both became very endearing, especially in the column that Kudu writes himself. I found myself laughing out loud and realised I was, actually, enjoying reading this book!

[Sam Herbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short, but sweet, read. I think all dog owners will relate to the stories in this book; the author talks about the pros and cons of owning dogs, and includes some embarrassing stories that I'm sure all dog owners can relate to. It can come across as a bit pretentious because there is a lot of talk about philosophy, and the history of canines. But, for me, the parts about psychology within dogs was quite interesting. It isn't the best dog book I've ever read, but it is one I'll add to the collection.

[Max Balch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book! Not what I expected, I thought it would mainly be about dogs, but it covers many different topics. This book is good for dog lovers, but even better for people with an interest in journalism. It is a very interesting and intelligent book, with great vocabulary. This book will definitely teach you a few things that you didn’t already know. A little bit complicated at times, but overall it was a great read!

[Tracy]

This book is a personal exploration of sharing your life with a dog. It doesn't just look at dog behaviours but what instigates those behaviours. It is also highly amusing and charming, and will have many dog owners nodding their heads in sympathy. It also explores the wider world and the attitude of other cultures to dogs. This is a collection of sweet and cosy anecdotes from the author as well as some hard hitting canine history.

[Edwina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dogs provide us with many things. This book cleverly revisits The Daily Telegraph columns that Edward Stourton wrote about his experiences of dog walking with his springer spaniel, Kudu and demonstrates how with one simple idea it can spark insights into who we are as people. Engaging and thought provoking. Loved it.

[Carolyn Schofield · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a collection of articles written for the Daily Telegraph with some padding in between. I think I would have enjoyed them more as the original articles than in book form. They were pleasant, undemanding reading but no more.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on articles for the Telegraph in the Uk about dogs in general and dog walking, mainly his dog Kudu. Good read, sad at times. Gift from my sister for Chjristmas since I have house/dog sat and regularly look after my grand dog Ringo.

[Kay Townsend · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like this book at all. It is the first book in a long time which I have given up reading. It not only didn't flow it wasn't a bit like I thought it would be.

Sorry but I just didn't like it.

[Maggie White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable and well informed read. Would have liked more of his own adventures whilst walking Kudu.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit too twee for me.

[Kirstie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read for all dog walkers.

[Sondra Livingston · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the best dog book I've read but still enjoyable, I agree with other reviewers I wish there had been more insight about the people you meet while walking your dog.

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars, really - I had expected more lol moments and I was not prepared for some of the descriptions of dog fighting etc. - surely no dog lover would enjoy reading about such things!!

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whimsy with a wagging tail.

[Martinxo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mildly amusing in parts but mainly banal