Mostly Bob

by Tom Corwin

When Tom Corwin’s golden retriever, Bob, passed away unexpectedly, Tom decided to write a letter as a tribute to his life. The letter told Bob’s many human friends what they might not have known — the surprising story of how he was once a ferocious, untrusting dog named Red, and how through sheer determination he changed completely to become Tom’s best friend. Tom began receiving an outpouring of heartfelt responses to what he came to realize was actually a universal tale about the possibility of change and the transformational power of love. Friends and strangers urged him to bring the story to more people, and with a vision of how it might look, Tom designed this special book version of the letter. With a total of just more than one thousand words, this poignant story reads like a poem, underscored by flipbook illustrations of Tom's beloved Bob. Laid out with only one sentence per page, the book’s spare quality and unique design have a powerful impact and readers will return to its pages again and again.

Genres: Dogs, Animals, Memoir, Nonfiction, Death

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 12, 2006

Reviews

[Amanda up North · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was afraid I would sob, and yes- as dogs' lives tend to be, in the inevitability that they're so much shorter than ours- this little book is sad. But it's not as sad as I had braced myself for. Bearable because of its simplicity, and beautiful because Bob's death isn't the emphasis of the story. Instead, his owner wanted those who knew Bob to know the story of his life - how he came to be Bob, which is a touching story. So perfectly dog-like. Bob is an inspiration.

[Tim OBrien · Rating 5 out of 5]

When my late wife was sick a lot of people gave her inspirational books. As I was thinning out the book shelf today, most of those books went into the pile for the used book store. But one caught my attention. Maybe it was the dog outline at the bottom of each page. If you flipped the pages the dog seemed to walk across the page until he walks off the page. Fitting because this book is the story of how a neighbor's dog walked into Tom Corwin's life. The text of this short book is the letter Corwin sent his friends telling how "Red", the neighbor's neglected outdoor dog, ultimately become "Bob", Corwin's canine companion. It is a very moving story about the love between a man and his dog. My own dog is 12 now so we don't have that many years left. I know I will miss her as much he misses Bob.

[Suzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that will stay in my heart forever. I picked this up in a bookstore as I was browsing, and ended up reading the entire thing then and there, with tears streaming down my face. It sits proudly on my bookshelf and even though my heart aches every time I look at it, I still read it every few months.

It is such a beautiful story. It isn't long, it is simply an email that the author sent to his friends when his beloved dog passed away, to tell them about the dog's passing. The email was so touching that it went viral, and ended up in the hands of a publisher, and was printed 'as is'.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy when authors have the license and inspiration to use the page as a canvas and also as a punctuation to the story. It is especially well executed in this book.
Having loved a big old dog and held him so tightly, this book resonated in my soul. I didn't have words for those moments until I read Corwin's: "What mattered most was for him to feel the depth of my love..."
So thankful to have found this book on the shelves.

[Jordan Lombard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sad, yet very beautiful and powerful story. I believe everyone who loves dogs, and especially those who don't, should read this story. It will take you no more than 15 minutes max, and is garrunteed to make you cry.

[Nicole Lavin Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a word, remarkable.

[Sandra Weissel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A loving & sweet book when I lost my precious
little dog...this lifted my spirits!

[Hákon Gunnarsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short book, but a beautiful one. A letter from the author Tom Corwin to friends and family to tell them about the passing of his dog Bob. Bob had been his neighbours dog first, and had been the psycho dog next door as Corwin puts it, but wasn't bad as such. Just had a owner that didn't understand dogs. When Corwin's dog died, Bob started to move from his previous house to Corwin's, and he became Corwin's dog. He changed his own life, until he wasn't the psycho dog. It is a beautiful letter that expresses the love between human and dog in a great way. There is a lot of white space in this book, but it is still surprisingly full. Touching.

[Byron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who has ever lost a pet can relate to the very true feelings expressed by this beautiful, little book. Bob's story is simple and so joyous. I'd forgotten about this and I'm glad I took the time to re-read it this evening. If anything, I'd have enjoyed reading a full-length novel about Bob's transformation and growth. But the book is sort of perfect as it is: something that can be shared with anyone in just a few minutes, and it packs a lot of emotion into that time. Special little book, and it warmed my heart tonight. :)

[Fredell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good little book, a tribute to the author's dog, a golden retriever named Bob. A true story of a dog who changed his own life! And the man who loved him.
In online reviews, Bonnie Raitt said "Simply a beautiful love story".
Morley Safer was quoted as saying "One Measure of our humanity is the unconditional love we are capable of giving to an animal.... "
I can only add --truly enjoyable and heart-warming.

[Olivia Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 'Staff Recommended' book caught my eye during a recent visit to the local library. Next thing I know, I'm balling my eyes out.

This bite-sized book is a delight and a great reminder that even the smallest stories matter.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet letter to his dog, Bob. I love how Bob came into his life. I would like to write a letter like this about my dog, Fridge.

The book is also a flip-book. You can see Bob walking as you flip through.

[Kristie · Rating 5 out of 5]

so sweet and simple...and you're still sobbing at the end. absolutely precious.

[Karen-Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots and lots of white space...a single line per page. However, the story is touching and it is a unique book.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet and very cute. I loved the tail wagging.

[Laura Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saddest book uve read all year.
I'm in the Justine In in Savannah, GA and found this on the shelf, not knowing what it was about and now I'm nearly in tears.
Oddly inspiring though.

[Laura Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saddest book uve read all year.
I'm in the Justine In in Savannah, GA and found this on the shelf, not knowing what it was about and now I'm nearly in tears.
Oddly inspiring though.

[Lisa B · Rating 5 out of 5]

The whole world needs to read this book. It is very short and unique, and it may just change your life! If you are not sobbing hysterically at the end of this book I don't think we could be friends. Put it that way.
Oh right, the story Mostly Bob, is about how one dog literally created a different life for himself. In doing so, gave the author the greatest gift of unconditional love. I don't have a way with words, and I never have but I swear this little red book, is the most wonderfully insightful and simply heartwarming read I have ever had. It is charming and beautiful. Tom Corwin is an angel!! I hope he will write more one day.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was simple, sweet, and heart-rending. Reading it made me miss my own dog with such intensity that I started to tear up right there in the shelves of my library. If you have never loved a dog, you probably won't appreciate this book, but if you have, you'll be able to identify perfectly with the author.

[Sue Seely · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet sweet story. This "story" is actually a letter to the author's friends telling them how Bob the dog came into, then gently left, his life. If you love dogs, love animals, or have a loving heart, this story will definitely touch you.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet and for anyone who has a best friend in dog form. Heart wrenching.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touching, very touching.

[Margery · Rating 5 out of 5]

So wonderful, thus far.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forget Dog Heaven, this is the book for anyone who has lost a dog, a cat, a person, a favorite sweater, a beloved piece of jewelry - you get the idea....

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Janet.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes about 2 minutes to read--literally. It's a wonderful, wonderful true love story between owner and dog.

[Pattij · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book about a dog who decided to change his behavior an his life, and the man who witnessed the amazing transformation first hand...

[Tanya b · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read with a powerful impact. Fantastic for any pet owner who loses a pet. Just a great letter about compassion, love, second chances, and gratitude.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

short and sweet- the power and possbility of change.

[Jon-david Mafia Hairdresser · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really loved this little book. It's a sentence per page about the love of a life of a dog. It's gimmick that works.