I & Dog [Hardcover]

Monks of New Skete (Author), John Sann (Author), Monique Stauder (Photographer) (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 3, 2003

The Monks of New Skete have been breeding, raising, and training German Shepherds for more than thirty years at their Cambridge, New York, monastery. Their perennial bestseller, How to Be Your Dog’s Best Friend, is considered a classic in the dog-training field. First published in 1978, and completely revised and updated in 2002, the book has brought the Monks international acclaim for their successful mixture of discipline and love. Their second book, The Art of Raising a Puppy, was also a bestseller. Together, the two titles have sold close to one million copies.

Now, the Monks of New Skete reflect on the amazing bond that dogs and their owners share in the lavishly illustrated gift book, I & DOG. Celebrating this special relationship through words and images, the Monks offer a simple message: we could do worse than to learn from dogs – about ourselves, about our spirituality, and about God.

Taking readers on an eloquent exploration of the profound attachment between human and dog, this 80-page hardcover book features inspirational passages from the Monks of New Skete combined with more than fifty spectacular black and white and color images taken by talented photographers John Sann and Monique Stauder. Distilling all the wisdom and insight that the Monks have gained over the years living with and training these special creatures, this beautiful book pays homage to our extraordinary connection with our dogs.

In keeping with their philosophy, the Monks stress that love grows through respect, understanding and nurturing, and that it is humans’ responsibility to listen and learn from our canine partners.

Editorial Reviews

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Here is a sampling of the wisdom found inside this amazing book:

"For many of us, love for creation deepens through the relationships we form with our pets, particularly our dogs. By their very nature and need, dogs draw us out of ourselves: they root us in nature, making us more conscious of the mystery of God inherent in all things."

"Dogs mirror us back to ourselves in unmistakable ways that, if we are open, foster true understanding and change. Dogs are guileless and filled with spontaneity: unlike people, they don’t deceive. When we take seriously the words they speak to us about ourselves, we stand face to face with the truth of the matter. We must learn to reflect on these words—they are inscribed on their bodies, in their expressions, in the way they approach and interact with us."

"Though it is entirely natural for us to project human motives onto dogs, ultimately this is unfair: it puts expectations on dogs that disregard their reality. Dogs wander in their own universe and resist being judged according to human standards. We do justice to a relationship with a dog when we honor it as it is—a dog, a creature who, for all we may understand about it, is still fraught with mystery."

"The biggest problem with dogs is that they don’t live long enough. They always seem to leave us when we’re most vulnerable, most in need of their biased, affirming presence. Dogs make us believe we can actually be as they see us, and it’s often only when they’re gone that we realize their role in what we’ve become."

With its tender message and delightful photographs, I & DOG promises to reach beyond the page and touch the hearts of dog lovers everywhere

Product Details

• Hardcover: 80 pages
• Publisher: Yorkville Press (November 3, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972942734
• ISBN-13: 978-0972942737
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 8.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #526,364 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #11 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Expert Advice > Monks of New Skete

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I & Dog, December 17, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: I & Dog (Hardcover)

The Monks of New Skete have done it again. This beautiful book is a great gift for anyone who is a dog lover. I loved the photos of the beautiful dogs and their soulful adoring eyes. The text is beautiful and If possible I thought more of our best friend, the dog, than I ever did before.Their joy at playing especially with their owners, is contagious and comes at you right off the page. Thanks to the Monks for this wonderful, inspirational book.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I & Dog - A nice coffee table book, July 9, 2004

By 

"christina68" (Cape Cod) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I & Dog (Hardcover)

I love this book. I have read their other books "The Art of Raising a Puppy" and "How to be your Dogs Best Friend" and "I & Dog" is a great compliment to them. It's perfect to have on your coffee table for guests, or just to pick up for reflection. The pictures are wonderful.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the time and money, June 21, 2005

By 

StarNikita (Houston,Tx) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I & Dog (Hardcover)

What a Beautiful Book. This is a Feel good and comforting book to read.
Upon getting it I got in my bed to look through it and my Faithful and loving Best Friend My German Shepherd crawled up beside me and layed there and fell asleep as I looked through the book, Well I did not put it down until I was finished with it. It is book that makes you want to be and do better than what you are now. I now will order more of the Monks of New Skete Books, I was very Impressed.