Customer Reviews

Old Dogs: Are the Best Dogs

5 star:		(80)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have nothing against the cuteness of puppies, but that territory has been well covered in the book world. Hence, I was thrilled to stumble upon this book, which perfectly spotlights the extraordinarily charm of old dogs. Marrying together wonderful photographs with witty biographies, the book captures what makes old dogs so great: their unapologetic quirks, their enduring mischievousness and their rock-solid love. Every type of dog imaginable is covered in this book, and every type of owner is allowed to give their unique testimonies about why old dogs truly are the best dogs.

My Stanley, who is on page 18, died this year on July 31. I wasn't certain the book was being published, nor if Stanley had "made it". If he hadn't, it would not have changed my love of this homage to our best old friends. I took the book with me to give to my 86 year old mother, living in Assisted Living, and I read aloud the introduction. My mother cannot see well, but knew my Stanley and rescued close to 20 dogs in her life.
Together we cried as I read "Remembering Harry".

Thank you Gene and Michael!!!

Have just bought this book because Harry reminds me of my previous Lab "Jay" who was put down at 13 1/2. It was the most wrenching decision I have made, but the most right decision. If you own a dog, have loved a dog or have a friend who IS a dog, then this is a must have book for you.
Harry's story made me cry too. Have the Kleenex handy.

Ben Franklin said nothing is certain, except death and taxes.

But here are two more certainties: you will cry when you read the last three words on page 13 and laugh when you read page 18 of "Old Dogs Are the Best Dogs" by Pulitzer Prize winners Gene Weingarten and Michael Williamson.

People love books about puppies. They're so cute and cuddly. But they have no real personalities yet, other than "cute and cuddly."

Old dogs, however, have their own distinctive personalities, quirks and traits, developed over a lifetime.

This captivating book is a tribute to our old dogs, our best friends.

Mr. Weingarten asked his readers at the Washington Post to tell him about their old dogs.

In the acknowledgments of "Old Dogs Are the Best Dogs," he thanks the countless people whose dogs had their pictures taken but didn't get into the book.

He writes, "For this omission we entirely blame the editors of Simon & Schuster, who, for reasons known only to them and for which they will no doubt have to answer in the Hereafter, balked at producing a 1,294-page book."

"Old Dogs Are the Best Dogs" combines a striking full-face, full-page photograph of each old dog (taken by Michael Williamson) with a narrative opposite each.

We meet Chester, the Pembroke Welsh corgi, on page 35. Herding is in that breed's DNA. What's a house dog to do?

Every morning, Chester takes his own personal flock downstairs, one at a time, in his mouth. There are eight of them, including little gingerbread man, large gingerbread man, purple teddy bear, and mousie. He deposits each member of his flock under the coffee table and ignores them the rest of the day. At bedtime, Chester takes all eight of his flock upstairs, one by one. His daily job is done, his destiny fulfilled.

Sparky, page 135, kept gaining weight. Her owners were puzzled. Finally they realized that when she'd wake them at three every morning to be let out, "She'd take a long time. Turned out she was going next door, walking into our neighbor's house through the dog door and eating all their dog food."

The story of Harry S Truman in the front of the book is the most loving, moving tribute to an old dog I've ever read. (This is the narrative with the "last three words" mentioned above.) Harry S Truman was the author's dog.

Gene Weingarten writes at the beginning of the book, "This is a tribute to old dogs, a celebration of their special virtues. All dogs profiled in this book were at least 10 years old when their portraits were made. If you ask us which of them are still alive,our answer is: They all are. May old dogs live forever."

You'll love "Old Dogs Are the Best Dogs", even if you've never been owned by a dog.

Old Dogs is a book about several dozen dogs over the age of 10. A photo of each dog is accompanied by a small anecdote about the dog on the opposing page. Each anecdote holds something interesting and most of the dogs seem adorable and sweet.

However, if like me you have an old dog as a pet, the book will also make you almost tearful, as you read about dogs that have lost the energy and abilities of their youth, how some watch younger pups activity longingly, and you think about your own dog's mortality, it can be crushingly sad.

I think the book would work better as a gift for someone who has already lost their old dog, so they could read the stories about these dogs, and reminisce about how their old dog also was such a very good dog.

As an apartment-dwelling animal lover whose building forbids dog ownership, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review this. The title is self-explanatory--although I doubt it was their intention, photographer Michael S. Williams and columnist Gene Weingarten have collaborated on a work that's guaranteed to melt even the hardest of hearts.
The dogs profiled in Old Dogs Are the Best Dogs were, at the time they were photographed, at least 10 years old. A short profile accompanies each photo; that we learn so much about each subject in so few words is a testimony to both Weingarten's skill as a wordsmith and Williams' ability to capture the essence of these cherished pets that I grew to love by proxy. Not only was I touched to the core by these grand old pooches (I get very sloppy over non-human animals), but as an editor, I positively reveled in the excellence of Weingarten's command of English. Indeed, while this book could easily be perused in an hour or so, I found it almost too rich to process all at once and like very fine tea, I preferred to enjoy it in small sips that I could savor over time. It really is that wonderful.
I was planning to purchase a copy of this as a Christmas present for a beloved cousin, but she just lost the eldest of her five rescues and she and her husband are still crying for their old Barney, the Great Dane mix that literally thought he was a horse (her sister-in-law lives next door with her equine family). So while now is probably too soon, a copy of this will find its way to their bookshelf at a time I deem appropriate. For those lacking such constraints, consider this for the animal-lovers on your holiday list--I promise it won't disappoint. HIGHEST recommendation.

Thirteen years ago I got rid of husbands and started filling the house with dogs. I am now extremely joyful, I have intelligent conversations and there is a lot less flatulence in the air !!

When we age, we need to detach from people/objects that no longer work in our lives...it's part of that right of passage path we all must take. The quicker we accept what is not working and move forward with what IS working, the calmer and more refined our journey becomes. Dogs know this instinctively....they don't bother to mourn that which has become outdated.

This book is my every breath....it is beautiful in its form, in its photos and in its stories.. Tears rolled down my face from page one.....but emotions are not always about pain and loss. They are about remembering your own heartfelt memories and experiences that have made you who you are.... and have brought you to this point.

There are many things I no longer need, but I must have this exquisite book in my posession..... to have and to hold. I cannot imagine a more endearing, thoughtful gift.

Old dogs really are the best dogs. I lost my last two a couple of years ago, one year apart. Gracie went in seconds, from a massive stroke, but Charlotte was ill for two years. She enjoyed life until the very end. She'd lie on the sofa and "sing" along with my husband, and although she had to be helped to the car, she loved to ride.

"Old Dogs" is a beautiful book. It contains great photos of older dogs, with brief biographies of each. And it makes a wonderful gift for any dog lover. Not oversized like a typical coffee table book, this book can be read, enjoyed, and kept on the shelf.

For anyone concerned that this is just a bunch of photos of dogs, please realize that the authors are Pulitzer Prize winners and that this book is beautiful in every way.

This is a wonderful, wonderful book. I had read the author's book excerpt in the Washington Post weekend magazine and was so impressed that I got the book. I was so thrilled with the book, I bought four more copies for friends. The book will make you laugh and make you cry. The best book I have read in a while!

"Old Dogs" is a unique and touching book focusing on the personalities of old dogs. The book begins with an essay about the author's old dog. He describes the quirks of his dog's personality and speculates on why people love dogs so much. It is a truly heartfelt essay and sets the tone for the rest of the book.

A large photo of each dog appears on one page and the next page features unique anecdotes about each dog. Each dog comes across as a unique individual. After making it to old age, the dogs are portrayed as having developed their personalities over a life time. Some of the anecdotes were funny, others sad. I felt like I was able to get to know the essentials of each dog.

The photographs are beautiful and it is apparent the photographer took pictures that capture each dog's personality.

I usually find coffee table books to be dull, but "Old Dogs" is thoroughly enjoyable and touching. The author and photographer thoroughly capture the emotions that dog owners feel for their "Old Dogs."