A Good Dog: The Story of Orson, Who Changed My Life Audiobook, by Jon Katz Play Audiobook Sample

A Good Dog: The Story of Orson, Who Changed My Life Audiobook

A Good Dog: The Story of Orson, Who Changed My Life Audiobook, by Jon Katz Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Tom Stechschulte Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc. Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 4.17 hours at 1.5x Speed 3.13 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: February 2008 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781440798993

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

15

Longest Chapter Length:

48:40 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

05:27 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

25:25 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

10

Other Audiobooks Written by Jon Katz: > View All...

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Publisher Description

In spite of everything, Katz loves Orson, his "lifetime dog," a beautiful border collie <#150> intense, smart, crazy, and unforgettable. A touching narrative of an impossible dog that needs help, helping others in the process. "[His] subtle, evocative de

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"An extremely amazing book (non-fiction) about an author and his quest to truly honor and understand a challenging dog. His dedication and sacrifice is inspiring, as is his willingness to share this story and all he gained. "

— Kris (4 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “[Katz’s] subtle, evocative descriptions of the beasts around him—including Rose, another border collie whose brilliant herding steals the show—vividly capture the fascinating, enigmatic lives of animals.”

    — Publishers Weekly
  • “Katz's border collie, Orson, evoked all kinds of emotions during their fulfilling time together…Tom Stechschulte captures all of these flawlessly but none more movingly than when Orson’s end comes. The eloquence with which Katz describes those moments moves Stechschulte to tears, as it surely will the listener.”   

    — Audiofile 
  • “A heartbreaking memoir of love, friendship and responsibility.”

    — Kirkus Reviews 
  • “This is a lovely memoir.”

    — Booklist

Awards

  • A USA Today bestseller

A Good Dog Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.61290322580645 out of 53.61290322580645 out of 53.61290322580645 out of 53.61290322580645 out of 53.61290322580645 out of 5 (3.61)
5 Stars: 7
4 Stars: 9
3 Stars: 12
2 Stars: 2
1 Stars: 1
Narration: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 (5.00)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 (5.00)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — Lynne, 3/3/2016
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " This was my first (and last) Katz book. I loved the first 3/4 of the book. It is both sweet and funny and, as a dog lover, I related well to much of it. This book was on its way strong 4-5star rating at that point. Unfortunately, I fundamentally disagree with the decision that Katz eventually came to, which truly ruined my good feelings on this book. As an animal lover, I recommend you look elsewhere for a good animal memoir. "

    — Heather, 2/8/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I thought this was a wonderful book and would highly recommend it to all dog lovers, especially those with "problem" dogs. A bittersweet, true story... "

    — Mtipping1, 2/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Very good for a dog lovers but warning it is very sad!!! "

    — Sue, 1/31/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " LOVE. THIS. BOOK. I can't believe this is the first I'm reading Katz, one of my new favorite authors. LOVE. "

    — Michelle, 1/30/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This is a bit of a "hankie" book - the ending is sad, but the often humorous relationship between the writer and his devoted dog makes this a worthwhile read. (I believe a movie is in the works.) "

    — Mary, 1/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " one of the sadist books i have ever read but so good "

    — Brandi, 1/11/2014
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Read half of this book -- then saw reviews on Amazon which made me realize I do NOT want to finish the book. "

    — Betty, 1/9/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I'm only saying i liked it because i thought the writer was, at times, funny. But it's basically a book about a completely clueless human being when it comes to dogs...who gives up on the dog and puts him down. So sad...and it made me really angry. I have a friend who works with herding dogs like this one and the ones she ends up with are the result of "city" people getting them because they're cute..but never doing anything to satisfy their herding instinct. So they get crazy and aggressive becaue they don't know what else to do with that energy. That's what happened with this dog..but I just feel like Katz gave up and couldn've found more help. Maybe. I guess I'm still not sure how I feel about this story. "

    — Kim, 12/28/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I liked the book. A lot of people have not liked it and I understand why, but I think the author justified his actions. "

    — Jstengle, 12/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " A very sad tale of a dog that could never figure out what humans expected of him. This book is heartbreaking. "

    — Nona, 12/22/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Not what I was expecting, but a very interesting read. I checked out the website and it was cute to see all his dogs and other animals. "

    — Jenifer, 12/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I liked this book, it makes you question what your own judgement would be if faced with a similar situation. I can't say I liked the style it was written in, kinda jumpy and confusing at points. "

    — Beth, 11/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Parts make you laugh but others make you cry. Good story of his journey with a difficult dog. "

    — Pandora, 11/22/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I love books about dogs. This was a good one. "

    — Vickie, 10/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Well written,funny interesting book. My roomate had a border collie so I understand what Jon Katz was saying about the dog's energy level. "

    — manatee, 10/14/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " First of my adventures with Bedlam Farms. I went to a hospice fundraiser given by author and had him sign this book. "

    — Jen, 8/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Good book! If you love animals you will enjoy this book. "

    — Debbie, 8/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Perseverance, patience, sacrifice, and love are blended together for an amazing book. Recommended especially for dog lovers. "

    — Xiaoqi, 5/11/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Ultimately, a sad story, but one which touchingly highlights the bond between humans and dogs. "

    — Andrea, 5/5/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Enjoyable book that explore the psyche of a troubled border collie and the owner who loves him and goes to great lengths to heal him. "

    — Aylin, 4/29/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I enjoy listening to his life on the farm stories. Heartbreaking for sure & not for me to judge the authors decisions. "

    — Jan, 2/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " As a dog lover, I found the book both troubling and affective. I did not agree with many of the methods used in the training or taming of Orson but found the story mezmorizing. "

    — Marsha, 9/5/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Moral of the story--don't rescue a troubled dog if you can't do the work, don't take on more than you can handle, and don't quit on your dog like Katz did to Orson. Jerk. "

    — Judith, 3/24/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " More cute dogs. It's amazing how much dogs can affect your life. "

    — Ayelet, 3/17/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " It was supposed to be a good book. I just can't tolerate the ending. "

    — Camila, 7/15/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Let's just say I was glad I didn't pay for this book when I got the chance to read it. "

    — Valerie, 3/14/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Good book! If you love animals you will enjoy this book. "

    — Debbie, 1/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This was sweet and sad story about about a guy and a half-crazed dog who help each other find joy in life. "

    — Carol, 1/8/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " one of the sadist books i have ever read but so good "

    — Brandi, 9/15/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " An engaging, but overly sentimental story of a beloved pet, who was clearly not a "good" dog. "

    — Suzanne, 8/2/2010

About Jon Katz

Jon Katz has written over twenty books, including Talking to Animals, Soul of a Dog, Izzy & Lenore, Dog Days, A Good Dog, and The Dogs of Bedlam Farm. He has written for the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Slate, Rolling Stone, Wired, and the AKC Gazette. He has worked for CBS News, the Boston Globe, Washington Post, and Philadelphia Inquirer. He is also a photographer and the author of a children’s book, Meet the Dogs of Bedlam Farm.

About Tom Stechschulte

Tom Stechschulte (1948–2021) was an acclaimed narrator and winner of the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration. He had been a college athlete and business major when a friend dared him to audition for a play. He got the part and traded the locker room for the dressing room, eventually taking him to New York City and to recording audiobooks.