Old Dogs: Are the Best Dogs

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!

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.

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.

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!!!

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.