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Soul of a Dog: Reflections on the Spirits of the Animals of Bedlam Farm Audiobook
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(3.04) - 539 listener ratings
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With its endearing blend of humor, wisdom, and insight, Soul of a Dog by New York Times best-selling author Jon Katz illuminates the interaction between humans and animals. Although he features his ever-faithful border collie Rose, Katz also includes revealing observations about Mother the murderous barn cat, Elvis the doughnut-loving steer, and his other dogs-Izzy, Lenore, and Pearl.
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"Katz did not disappoint. There were two particularly beautiful and moving stories about different friendships Katz has had. I got to know gentle Izzy and workaholic Rose better than I knew the dog I had as kid. The driving force of the book though was the idea that dogs have this uncanny and unmatched ability to mirror ourselves back to us. Katz owns some of these incredible dogs, who through lots of treats, training, and time have become exactly what he needs them to be, even if he doesn't understand the how or why of it."
— Kate (4 out of 5 stars)
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“[Jon Katz’s] rich vignettes may just inspire you to take a journey upstate to meet the creatures who call Bedlam home.”
— New York Daily News -
“A lyrical yet unsentimental memoir about the bond between people and animals.”
— Chicago Tribune -
“As close as our bonds with animals become, Katz avers, we must recognize and respect how divergent our inner lives are from theirs. And though we must take responsibility for animals, Katz has no doubt that we need them more than they need us.”
— Booklist -
“Katz’s anecdotes and ruminations, his pure joy and amazement shine through. Each chapter, whether about dogs or chickens or donkeys or sheep, will engage readers and tug at their heartstrings. An engaging and thought-provoking read.
— School Library Journal
Soul of a Dog Listener Reviews
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" Katz combines great animal stories from life on his farm in upstate New York with philosophical musings on the true nature of the animals on his farm. This was a nice relaxing read that made me really think about my own animal experiences. "
— Melissa, 2/13/2014 -
" I have really enjoyed most of Jon Katz's books. This one seemed like a collection of essays written along his the way and I did not enjoy this as much as the other books. This may all be colored because he put down Orson, when I thought he could have found other techniques to manage Orson. "
— Heywu, 2/6/2014 -
" Another thoughful dog book from Jon Katz. More introspective than his other books, Soul of a Dog examines human-animal relationships as observed on Bedlam Farm and its environs. Izzy's work in hospice, Rose's work with sheep, and even Henrietta the hen's personality traits are represented in well written and insightful essays. And as always, Katz turns a keen eye on himself and his foibles as he chronicles his life on Bedlam Farm. "
— Melissa, 2/5/2014 -
" I don't always agree with Katz's view on animals, but I do enjoy what he writes about his life with them. "
— Dawn, 1/29/2014 -
" I always enjoy a Jon Katz book. This one definitely had more a philosophical feel to it. It was also nice to read the stories about the other animals on the farm as well as the dogs. "
— Paige, 1/23/2014 -
" I was disappointed in this book. I loved the stories about the animals on Katz's farm but I don't care whether Katz or any one else thinks that animals have souls or not. The book went on and on about whether animals have souls. My dogs have souls and don't care what any one else thinks about the subject. "
— Genie, 1/9/2014 -
" Like several of his other books more. This one was a bit of a stretch. "
— Karleen, 1/8/2014 -
" Another excellent book by Jon Katz featuring the animals of Bedlam Farm. "
— Jan, 1/3/2014 -
" I love Jon Katz' books. He has a deep bond with all of the animals he shares his farm with, and writes about them beautifully and, sometimes, hilariously. Anyone who loves animals would love this book. "
— Tina, 12/29/2013 -
" Okay--interesting animal stories, but the morality was a little strange. "
— Suzanne, 12/25/2013 -
" Fantastic if you're a dog lover. Brought up interesting perspectives on whether animals have souls. I sure think they do. "
— Tracy, 10/26/2013 -
" This book made me see the world differently. It's definitely not for the faint of heart because it gets really deep. But still a great book. "
— Jordan, 9/5/2013 -
" The author wrote stories about the animals that lived on his farm. They were interesting stories and some were funny and some adventures. He really enjoys his animals and farm. "
— Linda, 3/16/2013 -
" The author manages to avoid the smarmy, emotional dog-story genre by being somewhat analytical about the question: Do animals have souls? Mostly, he's just telling stories in which his animals play a prominent part. It's fun reading and even makes you think a bit. "
— Barb, 1/6/2013 -
" Great for dog lovers, especially those with border collies and labs. "
— Kathy, 12/14/2012 -
" I have to admit - I skimmed parts of this book, which I don't usually do with a Katz book. However, as usual, he had some good insights on the roles animals play in our lives, the roles we may need them to play and how we need to appreciate them on their own terms, too. "
— Julie, 11/30/2012 -
" I am especially fond of the notion that dogs (and maybe other animals) come into out lives when we need them. WEll, when they need us, too. It's a lovely cosmic balance. "
— Bonnie, 10/8/2012 -
" Some of his writing was a little long winded, and a lot religious. Still couldn't put it down though. "
— Ryan, 7/26/2012 -
" Do animals have souls? Jon Katz writes about this issue. A must read for all animal lovers. "
— Anne, 1/14/2012 -
" A sweet, touching, thoughtful collection sure to speak to the heart of any animal lover or tender soul. "
— deanne, 12/10/2011 -
" Katz has really stretched the whole dog-theme book concept, but I think this collection of essays is pretty interesting. He examines the modern trend of over-emotionalizing animals and questions the dangers of it. "
— Doug, 11/5/2011 -
" Charming and sweet, inhabited by some great personalities, even if they don't technically have souls. Katz spins a good story and sparks some interesting thinking, although conclusions are necessarily a bit thin on the ground. "
— Jessica, 11/1/2011 -
" Jon Katz engaged me in yet another way in the "Soul of a Dog." This time it was philosphically. Another good Katz read. "
— Cheri, 6/15/2011 -
" This book made me see the world differently. It's definitely not for the faint of heart because it gets really deep. But still a great book. "
— Jordan, 3/30/2011 -
" I am especially fond of the notion that dogs (and maybe other animals) come into out lives when we need them. WEll, when they need us, too. It's a lovely cosmic balance. "
— Bonnie, 2/22/2011 -
" I always get sucked in by the covers of Jon Katz's books, but then I start reading and realize I don't care about the science behind animals - I just want to read stories about them. "
— Kristin, 6/5/2010 -
" I don't always agree with Katz's view on animals, but I do enjoy what he writes about his life with them. "
— Dawn, 2/15/2010 -
" very endearing, and encouraging to me right now, in the early days of fostering a somewhat troublesome dog. "
— Angie, 2/10/2010 -
" This is the first book I've read of Jon Katz. I want to read more. "
— Autumn, 2/8/2010 -
" Do animals have souls? Jon Katz writes about this issue. A must read for all animal lovers. "
— Anne, 1/30/2010 -
" Okay--interesting animal stories, but the morality was a little strange. "
— Suzanne, 12/30/2009
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.