The Dog who Loved: Lenore, the Puppy who Rescued Me

by Jon Katz

Lenore, the spirited, bright-eyed Labrador puppy arrives just in the nick of time.

As Jon and his Border Collie, Izzy, begin volunteer hospice work, Izzy shows Jon what dogs can do for people who are at their most desperate. But the work isn't easy, and Jon is reminded that at times he is needy himself.

Enter Lenore, a glossy jet-black Labrador retriever puppy, whose seemingly boundless capacity for love allows Jon to confront his past and embrace his blessings.

The dog who loved is a moving and inspiring story of love, compassion, and the incredibly rich and complex relationships between humans and their dogs.

Genres: Animals, Nonfiction, Dogs, Memoir

204 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Shahrun · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't really understand the title. As apparently it was originally released in America as Izzy and Lenore, which is more appropriate. Lenore is not a big feature, this book was largely about the fascinating hospice work the author does with his dog Izzy (actually a male dog!). Some of the hospice tales did make me cry. The author also touched on his own personal battle with depression. I really enjoyed reading about the animals relationships with the people in the book. LOVED the gorgeous animal photos that start every chapter - what a great idea! Most defiantly interested in reading more by this author.

[Georgia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with other reviews of this book, it is more a story of Izzy and the hospice work him and Jon do with mention of Lenore every now and then. A nice read that makes you feel grateful for the power of dogs but it was sometimes a little slow.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave it four stars because I really enjoyed it and it was a nice light read for a plane ride. As others have said the story is about Izzy and Jon doing Hospice and not much about Lenore. I enjoy dog stories and this is quick and easy to read. A human/dog story.

[Gem · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is a good book and would have got more stars if it sold itself correctly. it has very little to do with Lenore the lab pup as featured in the title and on the cover. its is more about izzy the collie who helps do hospice work. lots of death and dying. wasn't what I thought it would be at all. pretty dissaapointed.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for a reading challenge, and it was ok, but not really what I thought it was going to be about. This is more about the author's battle with depression and how his animals helped/didn't help than it is about any of the animals in particular. Again, not terribly written, just not what I hoped it would be about.

[Cass · Rating 4 out of 5]

AMAZING!

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Izzy is a truly amazing dog.