The Old Dog

by Charlotte Zolotow, James E. Ransome (Illustrator)

Once there was a dog who loved to run and jump and play. She was the best friend Ben -- or any little boy -- could have. But as Ben got older, so did his dog. One morning, Ben's old dog didn't open her eyes or wag her tail. She didn't even move.

New illustrations by James Ransome.

Genres: Picture Books, Death, Dogs, Childrens, Grief, Emotion, Realistic Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Charlotte Zolotow was a distinguished American writer, editor, and publisher who made a lasting mark on children's literature. Over her career, she authored around 70 picture book texts and edited works by prominent writers including Paul Zindel, Robert Lipsyte, and Francesca Lia Block. Born in Norfolk, Virginia, she studied writing at the University of Wisconsin Madison and later joined Harper & Bros in New York, where she worked her way up from secretary to publisher. Her own books were published by over 20 houses, and she became known for her poetic and emotionally insightful texts. Zolotow’s most celebrated works include When the Wind Stops, William’s Doll, and River Winding. Her story "Enemies" was featured in The Big Book for Peace alongside other notable authors. She lived for many years in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. Her legacy endures not only through her own writing but also through the Charlotte Zolotow Award, established in 1998 to honor outstanding picture book texts. Her contributions helped shape modern children's literature with sensitivity, elegance, and enduring relevance.

Reviews

[Marissa Elera · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow. A tender, warmly illustrated and authentic experience with grief over the loss of a pet takes a dramatic turn when a brand new puppy shows up after less than a day of old dog being dead. Totally insensitive and upsetting. Just when Ben really starts to grapple with his grief, Zolotow denies readers this vital lesson and image of growth. Disappointing.

[Laurie · Rating 1 out of 5]

It skips to the new pet way too fast.

[Rachel Rouleau · Rating 2 out of 5]

Picked this off the shelf without realizing it was about the dog dying. I suppose I should have inferred that from the title. It does a good job of realistically showing the boy being sad for one day, but then his dad comes home with a new puppy and everything is all better. Not sure this is the best story out there about losing a pet.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an abrupt ending. It doesn't do justice to the subjects of death and grieving.

[Jillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

It seemed as though the dead dog was replaced by the new puppy rather quickly. Where was the time to work through the grief first?

[CH_Emily Scholnik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended in "Children's Books in Children's Hands."
Grade Range K-2
This is a heatbreaking tale of a young boy named Ben who goes to pet his dog one morning and she doesn't wake up for she is old and has passed away. This young boy goes through a sad and confusing day only to come home to realize that his dog really isn't there anymore. The story goes on to portray all of the things Ben and his dog used to do with each other, only Ben is alone and his dog isn't there. Ben just doesn't understand. The story ends with his parents bringing home a new puppy for him and Ben seems instantly happy. I think the ending was a bit unrealistic. It seems too soon to bring a "replacement" for an old friend. However, any child who is dealing with the death of a pet would benefit from reading or listening to this story. They could relate to the boy not being able to understand where his dog went. The oil paintings are touching and vividly portray the boy's sadness when he cries and says, "I miss you," to the air with his fists covering his eyes.

[McKenna Crimmins · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Old Dog was a sad and depressing book but had a happy ending. The pictures were very emotional but predicted what was going to happen next. Losing a dog is hard. They were always by your side to make you feel comforted, play with you, and to even warn you about weird sounds that they hear. But this book taught a lesson, bad things happen, to make room for the new amazing memories you are about to have. To allow the opportunity for someone or something else to live a great life in a great home with people who love. I liked this book because it showed realistic events and outcomes for those events.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure about getting a new dog so soon, and not sure about the illustrations by James Ransome. Just too brief. No idea who the target audience would be.

So, I've never had a pet (my family had cats when I was little but they weren't particular to anybody). So I don't know. But it seems to me that if you have a pet that is getting old or sick, it'd be smart to go to the shelter and pick out another that's sort of a companion to it, and that will eventually be your friend to comfort you when the first one dies. Does this make sense?

[Briana Deleon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book conveys the hardship that a young boy endures as the death of his dog becomes a reality to him. I find this book disheartening, however, I also believe it offers children a way to relate to this experience if they have ever lost a pet. Despite the less peppy tone of the story, the author also offers hope to children after the loss of a furry friend. The brilliant oil-painted illustrations compliment the mood of the story, while making it a great read aloud for kids.

[Andrea Salcedo · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Old Dog
By: Charlotte Zolotow
Recommended: Preschool- Kindergarten

The Old Dog was about a boy named ben who one morning went to go pet his old dog. His old dog didn't respond to the touch. Worried, he called for his father. His father explained that his dog had passed away. Throughout the rest of the story Ben reminisces about his old dog.

As a huge dog/animal lover, this book was very sad to me. One thing I didn't like about this story was how quickly his dog got replaced.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

PB 34: This book is really sad. I think you can really relate to it if you have had a dog pass away. I wish the ending was a little bit different though. I really enjoyed the pictures in this book. I loved that I could see the brush strokes and the detail in each picture, but it also made me that much more sad when seeing a close up of the dog!

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very sad story about a boy who loses his best friend that is a dog. There are things that the little boy does every day that reminds him about the dog and he starts to miss her more. THis is a good story to teach students about grief and loss and that things will get better with time.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book to get for your child to help them understand the death of a pet. In the story a little boy can't wake up his old dog. He knows the dog is old but isn't ready for him to die. He misses him; and the things they did together.

[Suzy]

My dog just died on Tuesday, we had him for 4 years. He had Lymphoma Cancer so from when we found out to when he died was only 3 weeks. I love-d my dog and I always will. This beautiful book portrayed all the feelings my family is having right now.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once there was a dog who loved to run and jump and play. She was the best friend Ben -- or any little boy -- could have. But as Ben got older, so did his dog. One morning, Ben's old dog didn't open her eyes or wag her tail. She didn't even move.

New illustrations by James Ransome.

[Lucia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations and simple text to help someone deal with the death of their pet. Very sweet.

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not one of our favorites. Probably really great if you've just had a dog die in your family. But, as a bedtime story, this just led to Ethan crying "Inca not dead" and "I miss Inca!"

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations. Heartbreaking beginning. I felt like the quick introduction to a new puppy was too quick and tidy of an ending.

[Megan (ReadingRover) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a really weird book. It’s starts off as a really heartfelt story of a boy’s grief after the loss of his beloved dog. Then out of nowhere as he’s in the middle of thinking about how Old Dog is no longer there (mind you it’s the same day she died) and his dad brings home a new puppy. Everyone is happy. Everything is better. Old Dog forgotten. Honestly what the fuck was that? Also, Old Dog was a fantastic, sweet, old basset hound which I happen to be partial to and the puppy is a Dalmatian who the dad probably bought from a store that got it from a puppy mill based on how this book went so I’m not a fan. One life can’t be replaced with another. Try teaching the kid that it’s ok to grieve. Not everything is going to be sunshine and rainbows. Celebrate the life Old Dog lived and remember her. Don’t just replace her. Let the kid get a new dog of his choosing when he’s ready. 2 stars because the beginning was nice and because Old Dog was a basset hound.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

SO sweet and touching, and GORGEOUS illustrations!

Yes, it's incredibly sad, and I appreciate that accurate portrayal of a kid who's lost their best furry friend. Yes, it also moves on at the end, but I read/saw some (also accurate) ambivalent feelings in that part of the story --there's still sadness and loss mixed in with the hope. Not sure why there's so much negativity in so many reviews for this one.

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

His parents get a new dog THE SAME DAY the old one dies? NOOOO. Not cool.

[Alicia Steagall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a dog owner myself this story is perfect for a child to feel heart warming and close to there own dog and understand a dog passing away.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is about coming to understand death through the kids of a pet. Fairly well done. Simple and thought provoking to a young reader.