Rating: 
Summary: Throughly Enjoyable
Review: I am an avowed doglover who found myself disappointed and dogless at the same time I found myself with a copy of this book. I was enchanted. Still am, in fact. The range of writers in this compilation engages even the pickiest reader and the stories are endearing. I hate the word endearing, but they are, just the same. There's not much not to like here...do yourself a favor and pick this one up. Where's my commission?
Rating: 
Summary: Recommended Even for Non-Dog People
Review: I am not a dog person, have never owned a dog, have never even been close to a dog. In fact, my only qualification for having read this book may be that I cried when I read Old Yeller and that was a LONG time ago.But I loved this book. Most of the stories are only a few pages long, so if one doesn't click, you can be on a brand new story in no time. My favorite stories were Lynda Barry's graphic short, Stephen Kuusisto's description of meeting his new guide dog and how they come to trust one another, and Lee Forgotson's thoughts on how dogs helped her come to terms with the aftermath of September 11. Most of the stories were funny or touching, but there were several eulogies to old friends, as well. The drawings by Mark Ulriksen are eye-catching, a little off-kilter. Two paws up for this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Negative steriotypes
Review: I know how and what I feel about my dogs and all dogs. I know how I evolved to this direction. I owned a Doberman at a very bad time in my life and she, (Peggy) got me through. The way the authors of some of the stories in Dog Is My Co-Pilot explains and describes my emotions to a T, much better than I ever could, along with the things they do for and with their canines. There is only one thing I disagree with, you will find on page 55 near the bottom. I will quote the sentence: Even vicious dogs such as Dobermans and Pit Bulls have no guile. I beg to differ, Dobermans and Pit Bulls are NOT vicious unless TAUGHT TO BE. I would like society to turn this opinion about these dogs around to the correct thinking. I would also like to add that Rottweilers are also considered vicious but again they are not born that way they are TRAINED to be that way. Thank you
Rating:
Summary: Good Reading
Review: I'm not one to stay glued to the end of a book, but this one had me. I couldn't put it down and when I did was axniously looking forward to the time when I could pick it up again. I thoroughly enjoyed each of the contibutors heartfelt/written experience of life with their Co-pilot, DOG. Someone once told me that dog is God spelled backwards. As someone that has always prided myself on being a cat person, there was a German Shepherd who touched my heart and passed on to Dog Heaven last year, that had changed my view of dogs in a way I never thought could happen. She allowed me to open my heart and let her in in a way that people cannot. It helped having onesided conversations where all she had to do was perk up those ears, stare at me with those big brown eyes and offer a few sloppy kisses for me to know that no matter what, she offered unconditional love and understanding. God's gift of Dog :-)
Rating: 
Summary: I love Bark magazine, but this book is BAD BAD BAD
Review: If you like good writing or love dogs, this book is a treasure. Since most of the stories are by accomplished literary authors who are also smitten by dogs, the quality of writing is spectacular. These are not fiction, but personal accounts of the writer's relationship with a dog, or dogs. One writer has 10 stray dogs ranging in age from 8 months to 12 years, and describes the chess-like complexity of the feeding ritual. Another wrote a book about her adopted stray, and writes about taking said dog on a book tour. This is not a book about obedience, purebreads, or perfect pets. When a mildly eccentric human is teamed with a real dog (all of whom are eccentric!) and that human can write, this collection is what you get. I read it in bed at night, with my two beagles curled up next to me and my other three mutts sprawled around the bedroom, but even if you don't have a dog to read it with, it is well worth your time.
Rating:
Summary: Literary Dog Lover's Book
Review: If you like good writing or love dogs, this book is a treasure. Since most of the stories are by accomplished literary authors who are also smitten by dogs, the quality of writing is spectacular. These are not fiction, but personal accounts of the writer's relationship with a dog, or dogs. One writer has 10 stray dogs ranging in age from 8 months to 12 years, and describes the chess-like complexity of the feeding ritual. Another wrote a book about her adopted stray, and writes about taking said dog on a book tour. This is not a book about obedience, purebreads, or perfect pets. When a mildly eccentric human is teamed with a real dog (all of whom are eccentric!) and that human can write, this collection is what you get. I read it in bed at night, with my two beagles curled up next to me and my other three mutts sprawled around the bedroom, but even if you don't have a dog to read it with, it is well worth your time.
Rating:
Summary: Delight for all dog lovers
Review: My husband and I adopted our first dog less than a year ago and our dog-lover friends gave us a subscription to The Bark as a "baby-gift." We've enjoyed reading every issue of The Bark and got this book after seeing the advertisement for it in the magazine--what a treasure! The writing styles are diverse and each story lends its own unique flair to a delightful compilation. My husband and I rarely read the same books as our tastes differ quite a bit, but we have had difficulty taking turns with this! Unfortunately, I don't think the book has gotten a lot of publicity outside its ads in The Bark, so I want to spread the word about what a good read it is and what a great gift it makes for any and all dog-lovers.
Rating:
Summary: Food for the soul of every dog lover
Review: This fresh and inspirational compilation is food for the soul of every dog lover. Every page serves to confirm the strength of the human-canine bond, and the degree of unconditional love shared between mankind and dogs. I loved every word, even those that brought tears to my eyes and put a lump in my throat. The talented writings are simply heartwarming. An ideal gift book for the holidays, or any occasion.
Arlene Millman
author of BOOMERANG - A MIRACLE TRILOGY
(The tale of a remarkable Boston Terrier)
Rating:
Summary: Dog is good
Review: This has been one of the most enjoyable books of the year. I recommend it to any dog-lover. It is a literate, touching, funny book that rings true. The reader can enjoy it on many levels - it informs about dog (and people) behaviour, and if it taught me anything about dogs, it taught me more about myself. This is a colleection of essays and stories by writers urban and rural, old and young, male and female. There's something for everyone who loves dogs (or a dog) and every reader will find his/her own treasures in it. I found that it was a book to savor slowly. I usually read a book every day or two - this one took me most of a week because it was not a book to be rushed. I'm going to buy a copy of the magazine "Bark" to see if I like it as much as the book.
Rating:
Summary: Touching...a great gift.
Review: This is a great book, and makes an excellent gift for dog owners or for people that just like dogs or touching stories. One especially good thing about it is that you can pick it up at any time and enjoy pieces of it. What I like most is all the different ways that people discover to communicate their connection with dogs. If you have had a dog, many of these stories will really resonate. Highly recommended.
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