The Dog Chapel: Welcome All Creeds, All Breeds. No Dogmas Allowed

by Stephen Huneck

Celebrates the remarkable relationship between humans and their canine companions as the author describes the chapel he built for dogs in St. Johnsbury, Vermont.

Genres: Dogs, Art

80 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2002

About the author

Stephen Huneck was an American wood carving artist, furniture maker, painter, and author. Most of his artwork is composed of carvings of dogs. In addition to carvings, Huneck also wrote several children's books, the main character of which was his black Labrador Retriever, Sally.

Reviews

[Gabriella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. I just picked it up at the library and sat down and read it right there. I had no idea Dog Chapel was prompted by a near-death experience and a vision that the artist had! I loved reading about that in the preface. This book includes the story behind Dog Chapel, some photos of the place itself (including the artist's dogs circa 2002 when the book was released), and a lot of his art along with accompanying phrases.

This is one of the best art books I’ve picked up lately, maybe my favorite this year. I’d get a copy of this to keep on my own bookshelf, I find the story and work quite inspiring. I’d love to pay a visit to Dog Chapel someday.

[Laura Steakin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

[Lou Florio · Rating 5 out of 5]

The art is simple and yet can profoundly touch one’s heart. This book is perfect for those who have loved and lost a special dog. (Going to the Dog Chapel is on our bucket list.)

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

My beautiful, sweet friend bought me this book shortly after we had to put our beloved 80 pound, gentle giant dog, Sadie, put to sleep. This book is beautiful and healing. The illustrations are charming, beautiful and the messages they give are the spiritual bond we share with our beloved 4 legged friends. The tears I cried while reading this book were happy, cleansing tears that brought me such comfort and peace.

The Dog Chapel really does exist on a mountain in St. Johnsbury Vermont. It was built by the author and his wife. In the book there is an empty picture frame, with the word LOVE under where the photo goes. An open ended sentence reads, " I'll Always Remember This About My Dog: ". You can bet that someday soon Sadie's photo will join the other beloved pets that have passed, on the Remembrance Wall, at the Dog Chapel, in St. Johnsbury Vermont.

This is a fantastic book to keep for oneself or a beautiful gift to give to someone who is grieving over a loss of a dog.

[Melle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is like Cynthia Rylant's Dog Heaven for grownups. The artwork has that some folksy, pastoral, comforting and cheerful feel about it. This is not a book for intellectually exploring grief and loss and death. The book is simple and simplistic and provides a lot of easy answers and platitudes, which is something I understand but I don't personally seek out in a book anymore, but I am not going to deny anyone's need for comfort and for emotional support in times of extreme grief and bereavement from the death of a beloved canine family member.

[Karetchko]

I love all the Stephen Huneck books I've seen. This one brings back great memories of a trip I took to the actual Dog Chapel in Vermont in 2006.

[Patsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Awwww....

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me teary!

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet. Sorry to know that the author committed suicide. He was very talented and obviously understood the bond between people and dogs.

[Glenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhhh .... This book is pretty and sweet. I hear that there is a sequel, too.