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Life is Good!: Lessons in Joyful Living
Many readers wonder what inspires the creative genius of bestselling suspense writer Dean Koontz. Much of the credit must go to Trixie, the golden retriever who has taught him things about life that no human ever could. Trixie shows us how to be happy every moment of the day, except those fleeting moments after a meal when the dish is (temporarily) empty. Dogs know how to work hard and to play even harder. With words of wisdom only a bird dog knows, and beautiful photos to warm your heart, this book will lift your spirits and make your leg shake uncontrollably with pleasure!
Trixie wrote LIFE IS GOOD to support her friends who are service dogs for people with disabilities. She is donating her royalties to Canine Companions for Independence (CCI), the national organization that breeds and trains assistance dogs for adults and children with disabilities.
80 pages, Hardcover
First published October 31, 2004
2 people are currently reading
559 people want to read
About the author
Trixie Koontz
6 books60 followersNicknames:
Short Stuff, Trix, Furface, Fluffybutt
Quick Bio:
Purebred, Service Dog
Arrival Story:
I was a CCI assistance dog. After elbow surgery, was retired from service and came to live as a Koontz in Newport Beach. Wrote three books to raise money for other assistance dogs.
Bio:
Trixie was an angel on earth, shorn of her wings and given fur as a disguise, with mysterious eyes, with the heart of a lion and the temperament of a lamb. She changed us as people, made us better by her example, brought piercing beauty and so much humor into our lives, and left a terrible void when she went to God.
Short Stuff, Trix, Furface, Fluffybutt
Quick Bio:
Purebred, Service Dog
Arrival Story:
I was a CCI assistance dog. After elbow surgery, was retired from service and came to live as a Koontz in Newport Beach. Wrote three books to raise money for other assistance dogs.
Bio:
Trixie was an angel on earth, shorn of her wings and given fur as a disguise, with mysterious eyes, with the heart of a lion and the temperament of a lamb. She changed us as people, made us better by her example, brought piercing beauty and so much humor into our lives, and left a terrible void when she went to God.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
December 9, 2015
This was a very short, albeit enjoyable, read. Trixie Koontz is a beautiful dog, namely that of author Dean Koontz. This book was created to pay tribute to Trixie (then alive) and to raise money for "Canine Companions for Independence." Trixie was previously a service dog, but in the book she is retired and she offers wonderful advice on life. "To be happy," she says "use your nose. Every day is rich in smells." This is one of her pieces of advice. Another is to think of yourself as a movie star, although not to get drunk and hit anyone like some movie stars do. While a short read, this was a nice reminder today of what I need to remember: be happy, be healthy, be thankful. I forget these things, but it's easy to live a life of love if you think about things from a dog's perspective.
And now I want to go home and be with my dog. :)
And now I want to go home and be with my dog. :)
October 27, 2021
So cute!
March 16, 2021
Trixie's first book. Edited by her dad, Dean Koontz.
March 12, 2023
Lovely picture book from a Golden Retriever sharing thoughts on a good life. Humans need to be more like dogs.,
September 23, 2015
My husband and I took turns reading this book together along with our wonderful Golden at the time (Brandy). Mr. Koontz sent me a signed copy of this hardcover book by Trixie and edited by him. Always look to Trixie for advice and joy in your life! Goldens are special and Trixie is renowned worldwide and is full of wisdom and happiness! I urge everyone to read this novel by her!
January 20, 2016
Dean has another winner
February 23, 2023
A really sweet book. Koontz writing as his dog telling us all to be more like dogs and appreciate the simple stuff more (and convertibles). It is clear how much Koontz loves dogs and enjoys the time he gets to spend with them. They are the most miraculous creatures, always forgiving us for messing up and being grumpy and are just joyful when we do get home and show them attention.
Humans go buy a ball and play, sleep, ponder, smell, lick, swim, chase, eat cheese and bacon and most of all love! Life will be better for you.
One of the reasons I now prefer Koontz to King is that in Koontz books (even horror ones) the dog is usually a hero and doesn't usually die. In King books the dog always gets killed in a gross way.
Humans go buy a ball and play, sleep, ponder, smell, lick, swim, chase, eat cheese and bacon and most of all love! Life will be better for you.
One of the reasons I now prefer Koontz to King is that in Koontz books (even horror ones) the dog is usually a hero and doesn't usually die. In King books the dog always gets killed in a gross way.
August 1, 2025
I first started reading Dean Koontz's books when I was about 12 years old, but I had never gotten around to picking this one up, so I was delighted to find it in a Little Free Library I came across recently. Reading the book was incredibly nostalgic, because I remember first subscribing to Dean's newsletter and seeing all his columns "written" by Trixie. Reading through it now also left me thinking about my own beloved dog, who I lost almost a year ago. This book is a beautiful reminder to take the time to enjoy life (and your pets) whenever you have a chance.
July 11, 2020
As always a delightful book from Trixie, Koontz, And her outlook on life, and the experiences of life from a dog’s point of view. All proceeds from the sale of this book went to the not-for-profit that Trixie came from, CCI, dogqs being trained to work with people with disabilities. The photos of Trixie are heart rendering and heart warming. Every photo warms your heart and that pup is just always smiling happy. You just have to love her.
December 18, 2017
This book is sweet and funny with a lot of lovely photos of Trixie. All proceeds benefit a charity, Canine Companions for Independence, where Trixie started her life as a service dog before being adopted by the Koontz family. Dean Koontz is a wonderful advocate for dogs. If you haven’t read A Big Little Life, his memoir about his life with Trixie, I highly recommend it.
October 19, 2017
so sweet! Trixie (who is dog) writes about life's lessons from her perspective. You may need a tissue.
July 31, 2018
This book is amazing. I loved it so much that I bought more copies to give as gifts. This book is well worth the read and makes an amazing read.
August 11, 2018
Great short book love it
July 31, 2019
A fun and wonderful book with cute pictures writen by Dean Koontz' dog Trixie. Trixie has a lot to teach us humans about life!
June 24, 2020
Love this book and life is good with a dog, or two :)
January 18, 2021
Bravo Trixie!
June 7, 2021
Cute book
May 16, 2022
🌟 5 Stars 🌟
Review to come
Review to come
August 13, 2023
Short but cute. I am a Golden Retriever owner and lover of this breed. I gave to my daughter to read. ❤️🐾 Dean Koontz owns and loves GR’s. That’s why so many are in his books. 🥰🐾🥰🐾
June 7, 2024
Trixie’s tone and voice are everything. I loved her philosophical outlook on life. Everyone who loves dogs should read this.
September 15, 2024
The words and wisdom of a dog. For me, this was a unique look into the relationship between man and dog. If you love a dog, then you are a good person.
June 25, 2022
Aww, cute book, pretty dog! Lots of pics interspersed with musings from the dog... and written exactly how you would expect a dog to write!
Some favorite parts include:
"Work is for gossiping with fellow workers and wasting time on Internet."
"Blow bubbles through nose! Blow bubbles through other end! Out of the pool!"
"Guide dogs who drive could better serve blind people."
Dropping poop bag in shoes.
Biting a shadow.
Cute furry butt.
Some favorite parts include:
"Work is for gossiping with fellow workers and wasting time on Internet."
"Blow bubbles through nose! Blow bubbles through other end! Out of the pool!"
"Guide dogs who drive could better serve blind people."
Dropping poop bag in shoes.
Biting a shadow.
Cute furry butt.
November 24, 2015
Well, I always love adult (?) books but am new to his kids' books. This one is for both young and old. It is silly, wise, joyful and loving. Very basic suggestions from a beautiful dog named Trixie who is now staying in the Koontz household. Life needs to be balanced in order to find occasional joy but Trixie is joyful most of the time...of course she sleeps a lot so it is hard to actually compare and measure with us. The contents section in the front of the book pretty much gives you all the answers work a little-PRAY< EAT< SLEEP, Work a little - EATPLAY, Work a little--SLEEP
Trixie is also a generous dog:
Trixie wrote LIFE IS GOOD to support her friends who are service dogs for people with disabilities. She is donating her royalties to Canine Companions for Independence (CCI), the national organization that breeds and trains assistance dogs for adults and children with disabilities.
Trixie is also a generous dog:
Trixie wrote LIFE IS GOOD to support her friends who are service dogs for people with disabilities. She is donating her royalties to Canine Companions for Independence (CCI), the national organization that breeds and trains assistance dogs for adults and children with disabilities.
February 14, 2009
This book was my favorite out of the Trixie/Dean Koontz books so far. The pictures are just adorable and are comparable to our own "fur-girl" Mariah who we recenly adopted and love very much. Reading these books (along with others like them) makes you feel connected to the dog owner's/author. Dean Koontz is my husband's favorite author, so it was a natural draw. I highly reccomend it to any fellow dog-owner/lover.
September 17, 2009
Super adorable! This book is written by Trixie Koontz aka daughter (golden retriever) of Dean Koontz. It is written from Trixie's point of view about life and is funny in many spots and so true in others.
FYI! One of my co-workers borrowed this book from another library. This book was recommended by another person from my department. It is being passed around the department (to all the dog lovers) and can be read during a 45 minute meal break.
FYI! One of my co-workers borrowed this book from another library. This book was recommended by another person from my department. It is being passed around the department (to all the dog lovers) and can be read during a 45 minute meal break.
January 15, 2008
I love books about dogs, a dogs life, or just your all around make fun of dogs. This one is a little different, it's written by the dog! Much fun to read seeing life through the eyes of the dog with the assistance of the owner and great pictures to bring together their point of view.
My daughter and I get a good laugh from this book everytime we pick it up. It helps if have a dog or dogs.
My daughter and I get a good laugh from this book everytime we pick it up. It helps if have a dog or dogs.
August 25, 2008
We as humans can learn a lot from dogs. this book is well written and very entertaining. this is a book for dog lovers and anyone who enjoys life or wants to learn how to enjoy life. sit back and read this book, it only takes a small amount of your time, and let yourself go, enjoy the words and pictures, take some lessons for getting the most out of every day.
August 19, 2011
Sweet, funny, furry, adorable, philosophical...loved every minute spent in this book. Wish it were ten times longer. Dogs melt my heart and Dean Koontz gives his Trixie such a joyful voice. It would be worth owning this book for the fun of it, great pictures, and supporting a very good cause, Canine Companions for Independence.
January 25, 2016
Tonight I read Life is Good by Trixie Koontz, dog. It took me about an hour to finish it, including breaks.
I LOVE Trixie's writing style. I'm completely convinced she's really the one who wrote The Darkest Evening of the Year.
It was a very fun book; very easy to read.
And it made a lot of sense.
I highly recommend everyone pick up a copy and flip through it.
I LOVE Trixie's writing style. I'm completely convinced she's really the one who wrote The Darkest Evening of the Year.
It was a very fun book; very easy to read.
And it made a lot of sense.
I highly recommend everyone pick up a copy and flip through it.
July 3, 2009
This is the one book that I can read no matter how awful I'm feeling and it puts a smile on my face. Written from the perspective of acclaimed author Dean Koontz's dog. Happy-go-lucky and heartwarming. Gives me the warm 'n fuzzies.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews