What do you think?
Rate this book
Good Dog: True Stories of Love, Loss, and Loyalty
Inspired by Garden & Gun magazine’s popular “Good Dog” column, a rich collection of true stories celebrating the unique relationship between humans and their canine companions, penned by some of today’s top writers, including Jon Meacham, Roy Blount, Jr, Dominique Browning, and P.J. O’Rourke
When Garden & Gun magazine debuted a column aptly named “Good Dog,” it quickly became one of the publication’s most popular features in print. Now, Editor-in-Chief David DiBennedetto (proud owner of a Boykin spaniel) and the editors of G&G have gathered the most memorable stories, as well as original pieces, in this collection of essays written by some of most notable dog owners in literature and journalism.
Good Dog offers memorable, beautifully written stories of dog ownership, companionship, friendship, and kinship. From the troublemakers who can’t be fenced in to the lifelong companions who won’t leave our sides, this poignant anthology showcases man’s best friend through all of his most endearing—and sometimes maddening—attributes. By turns inspirational and humorous (just like the dogs we love), Good Dog is a must-have collection for dog lovers everywhere.
When Garden & Gun magazine debuted a column aptly named “Good Dog,” it quickly became one of the publication’s most popular features in print. Now, Editor-in-Chief David DiBennedetto (proud owner of a Boykin spaniel) and the editors of G&G have gathered the most memorable stories, as well as original pieces, in this collection of essays written by some of most notable dog owners in literature and journalism.
Good Dog offers memorable, beautifully written stories of dog ownership, companionship, friendship, and kinship. From the troublemakers who can’t be fenced in to the lifelong companions who won’t leave our sides, this poignant anthology showcases man’s best friend through all of his most endearing—and sometimes maddening—attributes. By turns inspirational and humorous (just like the dogs we love), Good Dog is a must-have collection for dog lovers everywhere.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published October 21, 2014
115 people are currently reading
749 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
February 21, 2017
Review to come.
This review is unbiased and based upon a copy won through the Goodreads First Reads program.
This review is unbiased and based upon a copy won through the Goodreads First Reads program.
November 3, 2017
These are mostly good essays, but if you ever hit your dog with a garden hose- fuck you.
February 1, 2016
What did I like about this book---everything. As a Mississippi country boy, dogs have been an integral part of my life since age 3 (I spent a night at my uncle's and I had some separation issues). To appease me he paid me off with a puppy & life has never been the same. Like every contributor to this book, I've had good dogs and some, not so good. Some smart, some less than brilliant. If you're a "dog person", this is a definite must read. High praise for this compilation. Best line in the book (after a crotch dog buried his nuzzle in an elderly lady's nether region) "That's ok, at my age, I'll take what I can get." Thanks to my daughter, Shannon Fountain for knowing her Dad pretty darn well.
May 2, 2022
Good Dog was a good book. With books that is made up with many stories, you are always hoping for one that is exceptional and hoping it is not the same ole same ole. I found that maybe there was not a story that talked about some extraordinary exceptional event, and with dogs, and especially if you read a lot of dog books, there were some of the same topics concerning dogs, but that all were written amazingly and exceptional well. I enjoyed the stories and could see me reading the book again to savor the fine writing.
This book is a collection of stories from the Garden & Gun magazines from a section on Good Dog. In the Introduction it says:
"Around the Garden & Gun offices we often joke that the magazines Holy Trinity is bourbon, dogs and barbecue, but dogs truly reign supreme."
I loved all the stories with the exception of one. I found the story 'Literary Canines' by Curtis Wilkie a little too literary and pretensions for me. All the other stories help you relive that great feeling that a dog gives you and as I said are written so well. As I read, I like to pay attention to great passages, and some I like to save in my list of favorite quotes. I copied out several from this book. A great book like this one is written so well you just want to someday read it again so you can savor the writing a second time.
You will have to read the story to get the background, but here is some I copied out:
“Simple communications regarding walks, bathroom breaks, and treats were all I had the privilege of witnessing. But the improved, even cheerful, demeanor of the man and the doting affection of the dog hinted at potentially unseen exchanges that went deeper. Words uttered by the man that he could never find a way to his wife and stepdaughters, but that crept out in the lonelier hours of the working day. Days of anger and healing witnessed only by the soulful, loving eyes of the dog. By Martha J. Miller, in the story 'A Dog to Lean On”
“You can see anything you want in a Delta dog. Any combination of water dog, bird dog, fighting dog, work dog, you name it. The Delta dog is the alpha dog and quite possibly the omega dog, the dog from which all other dogs came and are coming to be. By J.M. Martin in the story Delta Dog”
“In our long happy and often exasperating relationship with the canine family, we learn and forget and rediscover that every annoyance and inconvenience and disappointment begins on one side of the equation, with us. In their shortcomings, we find our own. By J.M. Martin, in the story Delta Dog”
This book is a collection of stories from the Garden & Gun magazines from a section on Good Dog. In the Introduction it says:
"Around the Garden & Gun offices we often joke that the magazines Holy Trinity is bourbon, dogs and barbecue, but dogs truly reign supreme."
I loved all the stories with the exception of one. I found the story 'Literary Canines' by Curtis Wilkie a little too literary and pretensions for me. All the other stories help you relive that great feeling that a dog gives you and as I said are written so well. As I read, I like to pay attention to great passages, and some I like to save in my list of favorite quotes. I copied out several from this book. A great book like this one is written so well you just want to someday read it again so you can savor the writing a second time.
You will have to read the story to get the background, but here is some I copied out:
“Simple communications regarding walks, bathroom breaks, and treats were all I had the privilege of witnessing. But the improved, even cheerful, demeanor of the man and the doting affection of the dog hinted at potentially unseen exchanges that went deeper. Words uttered by the man that he could never find a way to his wife and stepdaughters, but that crept out in the lonelier hours of the working day. Days of anger and healing witnessed only by the soulful, loving eyes of the dog. By Martha J. Miller, in the story 'A Dog to Lean On”
“You can see anything you want in a Delta dog. Any combination of water dog, bird dog, fighting dog, work dog, you name it. The Delta dog is the alpha dog and quite possibly the omega dog, the dog from which all other dogs came and are coming to be. By J.M. Martin in the story Delta Dog”
“In our long happy and often exasperating relationship with the canine family, we learn and forget and rediscover that every annoyance and inconvenience and disappointment begins on one side of the equation, with us. In their shortcomings, we find our own. By J.M. Martin, in the story Delta Dog”
January 15, 2023
“...and I went through all the stages of grief, most especially anger. But anger isn't how we remember the dogs of our lives. The anger is no match for the bright memories...”
This book is a must read for those of us who love dogs, I mean really love dogs. For, those that do, can name every dog we ever had, or was blessed to have shared a time with. As we get older, and as time passes, this may not be true of some of the humans that shared the same. Perhaps, we only recall the memories of these sweet beings that brought us great joy. Those that gave, without conditions, and forgave us, just the same. For while humans have complicated agendas, dogs do not. Perhaps that why we are so drawn to them, and so broken when their short lives along ours, are not. Dogs can sense when someone is a bad or good person. Your dog may not know the moral decisions a person has made, but he can pick up on signs of nervousness, fear, anger, and danger. Dogs notice specific things about humans that even other humans are not aware. Some of the very best people I have known, were and are, dog people. For, they are the best people to know.
This story compilation is written by some of those good people, who knew, Good Dogs.
This book is a must read for those of us who love dogs, I mean really love dogs. For, those that do, can name every dog we ever had, or was blessed to have shared a time with. As we get older, and as time passes, this may not be true of some of the humans that shared the same. Perhaps, we only recall the memories of these sweet beings that brought us great joy. Those that gave, without conditions, and forgave us, just the same. For while humans have complicated agendas, dogs do not. Perhaps that why we are so drawn to them, and so broken when their short lives along ours, are not. Dogs can sense when someone is a bad or good person. Your dog may not know the moral decisions a person has made, but he can pick up on signs of nervousness, fear, anger, and danger. Dogs notice specific things about humans that even other humans are not aware. Some of the very best people I have known, were and are, dog people. For, they are the best people to know.
This story compilation is written by some of those good people, who knew, Good Dogs.
June 4, 2015
While I enjoyed a lot of these stories, many of them are told in a flat, uninteresting tone. I know these are stories submitted by dog owners who are not necessarily writers, but I felt they could have benefited from a bit of editing. Some emotion injected into the stories would have improved the book. Still, I always enjoy stories about dogs.
August 8, 2023
I got about half way through this before everything started sounding the same. Maybe it is best to purchase this one and read a few stories at a time.
March 10, 2018
This is the most wonderful, heartwarming collection of stories. We read them and savoured them over a year. We plan to keep the book to cheer us up when we miss our dog.
December 29, 2025
My Rating: 4 Happy Dogs
Great dog stories originating from magazine columns.
Great dog stories originating from magazine columns.
December 5, 2018
Not particularly well-edited, but it's about dogs so who cares?
January 30, 2015
Good Dog is an enjoyable compilation of essays written by many contemporary authors about the impact dogs have had in their lives. Many of these authors seem to have connections with the South; hailing from there, currently living there, or both. It comes as little surprise then, that many of these stories are about hunting dogs, though there is a nice cross-section overall.
I found every essay in this compilation worth reading, with many sparking memories of the dogs, past and present, that I feel have enriched my own life immeasurably. I think that may be the best part of this book. You can’t help but see something of yourself and the dogs who share your life somewhere in these pages.
Being dog stories, these do not come without their moments of sadness. One of the cruel facts of life is having to say goodbye to this other life that has become such a part of you after such a short span of years. There are many essays in this book, and all are relatively short. At times it can be difficult to have an extended reading session without being overtaken with melancholy as these authors reflect on their own goodbyes to the animals they loved.
At its heart, Good Dog is celebration of the bond we share with dogs. They influence our lives, always for the better if we will only allow it, in more ways than we ever realize.
I found every essay in this compilation worth reading, with many sparking memories of the dogs, past and present, that I feel have enriched my own life immeasurably. I think that may be the best part of this book. You can’t help but see something of yourself and the dogs who share your life somewhere in these pages.
Being dog stories, these do not come without their moments of sadness. One of the cruel facts of life is having to say goodbye to this other life that has become such a part of you after such a short span of years. There are many essays in this book, and all are relatively short. At times it can be difficult to have an extended reading session without being overtaken with melancholy as these authors reflect on their own goodbyes to the animals they loved.
At its heart, Good Dog is celebration of the bond we share with dogs. They influence our lives, always for the better if we will only allow it, in more ways than we ever realize.
Want to read
July 26, 2014I can't resist a short story dog book. Ever.
September 14, 2019
Oh my heart,
Dogs = LOVE 💕
I loved this book!
Dogs = LOVE 💕
I loved this book!
November 16, 2019
This was a collection of dog essays that explored the dog as part of the Southern culture whether as a roaming stray, a hunting companion or a friend of the family. And as a result the essays range in emotion from exasperating pups, to nostalgia, to joy, to sorrow, etc.
The book itself was put into sections that focused on such different subjects as hunting dogs, bad dogs, part of the family and life lessons. As such the stories within each group did mostly end up reflecting each other in certain aspects, especially as most of them took place with related people and being in the same locations thus keeping a bit of a repetitive streak going. Still all in all the essays perfectly still captured in essence each of the individual dogs and their humans.
While the sectional divisions makes sense it did also unfortunately disjointed some of the dogs' stories. It was only very late that I would the dog I was now reading resembled the same as a previous mentioned pup or one of the other essays would allude to an earlier mention such as where the beagle Henry touched two authors' stories. This upset me a bit since I would have loved to have seen the dog's in their fullness.
Due to the age where most of these essays originated some of the material can be very touchy and questionable. There was a bit of light swearing in some of the essays, some implications of abuse (a different age, a different time unfortunately) and also a very lax view on spaying and neutering pups. The latter mixed with the view that the dogs are just possessions, which also appears in some of the stories, is one of the reasons why the South is known for its high stray population problems.
Another few things that bothered me was all the dogs ended up having to die for the essay to be complete and the guy who had his dog heal from a broken pelvis on its own - understandable on saving money but inhumane to my eyes. Furthermore why did so many of these dogs die from cancer it just seems unbelievable!
All in all those essays that were able to hit home and praise the dogs even when they were at their worst were most definitely the treasures of the book. Still others made for good reading while I would recommend this as a book for those who still use dogs as hunting companions or enjoy Southern writings of home, dog and life.
The book itself was put into sections that focused on such different subjects as hunting dogs, bad dogs, part of the family and life lessons. As such the stories within each group did mostly end up reflecting each other in certain aspects, especially as most of them took place with related people and being in the same locations thus keeping a bit of a repetitive streak going. Still all in all the essays perfectly still captured in essence each of the individual dogs and their humans.
While the sectional divisions makes sense it did also unfortunately disjointed some of the dogs' stories. It was only very late that I would the dog I was now reading resembled the same as a previous mentioned pup or one of the other essays would allude to an earlier mention such as where the beagle Henry touched two authors' stories. This upset me a bit since I would have loved to have seen the dog's in their fullness.
Due to the age where most of these essays originated some of the material can be very touchy and questionable. There was a bit of light swearing in some of the essays, some implications of abuse (a different age, a different time unfortunately) and also a very lax view on spaying and neutering pups. The latter mixed with the view that the dogs are just possessions, which also appears in some of the stories, is one of the reasons why the South is known for its high stray population problems.
Another few things that bothered me was all the dogs ended up having to die for the essay to be complete and the guy who had his dog heal from a broken pelvis on its own - understandable on saving money but inhumane to my eyes. Furthermore why did so many of these dogs die from cancer it just seems unbelievable!
All in all those essays that were able to hit home and praise the dogs even when they were at their worst were most definitely the treasures of the book. Still others made for good reading while I would recommend this as a book for those who still use dogs as hunting companions or enjoy Southern writings of home, dog and life.
May 4, 2017
The book "Good Dog: True Stories of Love, Loss, and Loyalty," by David DiBenedetto and the editors of "Garden & Gun" magazine, is the kind of book you want by your bedside or at the beach or any location you find enjoyable but where you can have your own lovable canine by your side. This collection of stories, divided into sections of "The Troublemakers," "Into the Field," "Man's Best Friend," "Family Ties," and "Life Lessons," all delve into the various relationships between a man or woman and their dogs. I read somewhere that all dog stories will make at least one reader in the world cry. This collection comes close, especially when the writer expresses the love and loyalty shown by their four-legged best friends. Many of these stories will make the reader laugh out loud. Some of the stories will make the reader both laugh out loud and shed a few tears. Just reading the table of contents will entertain. P. J. O'Rourke, one of my favorite authors, shares his story in this collection, "Fetch Daddy a Drink," is totally outstanding, and made me laugh out loud while waiting for the numbing medicine injected into my gums to take effect. "Sit, Stay, Heal," begins as a sad, almost gut-wrenching tale of receiving bad news about the writer's two best friends and how he deals with the news about both. The naming of the dog, the wander lust of dogs in heat and not, the unspoken understanding between human and animal plus so much more is well done in this book. I've added this book to my "favorites" list here on Goodreads and many of my hunting pals can expect their very own copy under their Christmas trees this year.
August 10, 2018
I snagged this book off a cart of free books when I was working for Powell's. Since then, my feelings on gun control have become so strong I almost didn't want to read this book. It's a bit of kismet I did though, because as I was reading I had to put my dog down and these stories helped so much. Dog people are good people, even if some of them just want the dogs for hunting (ugh).
On the other hand, only two stories stood out to me as being really good stories, funny and witty. The rest are mostly forgettable. It was also my first experience with an audio book because I decided to give my Libby/Overdrive account an exercise and have the book available on my phone for when I didn't have the physical copy with me. I didn't realise at first I'd downloaded an audio book.
On the other hand, only two stories stood out to me as being really good stories, funny and witty. The rest are mostly forgettable. It was also my first experience with an audio book because I decided to give my Libby/Overdrive account an exercise and have the book available on my phone for when I didn't have the physical copy with me. I didn't realise at first I'd downloaded an audio book.
October 11, 2019
I admit to being a dog person. I really liked the short essays over a wide range of topics of interest to other dog people. If you're a cat person, I'd guess you won't enjoy Good Dog as much as I did.
The sad truth is dogs die sooner than people physically, but the bright side is the good dogs last in our memories as long as we are able to remember. When well written, stories of other good dogs are shared with the reader. Good Dog makes us privy to many good dogs with slight faults or major ones that make them real. The laughs and tears are real as a result.
The sad truth is dogs die sooner than people physically, but the bright side is the good dogs last in our memories as long as we are able to remember. When well written, stories of other good dogs are shared with the reader. Good Dog makes us privy to many good dogs with slight faults or major ones that make them real. The laughs and tears are real as a result.
July 13, 2025
Listened to this on Audible. This is a collection of stories written by various people who have owned dogs. None of the stories particularly stand out to me and after a while they all started to sound the same. At times I had to check to see if my phone hadn't started the book over because I thought I had already heard it. At times I disagreed with how the author treated his pet. I think I am done reading books about dogs because too many times people bought expensive dogs instead of supporting their local rescues.
October 25, 2019
Where 'd they leave the garden?
A collection of stories about how we love our dogs in spite of slobber and annoying behavior. Also recounts the joys and frustrations of training and hunting with a dog 🐕. it's naturally a little sentimental and predictable. It's best if you read one or two at a time. It reaffirms the natural bond and mutual tolerance between canine and humanoid creatures.
A collection of stories about how we love our dogs in spite of slobber and annoying behavior. Also recounts the joys and frustrations of training and hunting with a dog 🐕. it's naturally a little sentimental and predictable. It's best if you read one or two at a time. It reaffirms the natural bond and mutual tolerance between canine and humanoid creatures.
May 3, 2019
Some of the stories were great. All were easy reads. A great book to pick up for a short while then put down again. I didn't like the grouping of the stories. I would have preferred a random distribution, so that not all of the hunting dog stories or life lesson stories would be all together.
Read
May 21, 2020I'm reading Good Dog: I got this book as a gift, I loved the stories I read in the magazines, but the stories in the book are mostly quite boring, without the humor and emotion as the few stories I read in the magazine. I read halfway through and decided enough is enough, and will donate this book to the Connestee Library (once it is open again)
August 4, 2023
If you love dogs, you will love this book. A collection of stories about all manner of dogs. At times hilarious, and at times extremely touching. A good read that you can pick up and put down all the while savoring the stories.
May 23, 2017
Great stories. I cried at just about every one.
September 26, 2017
Heartwarming collection of stories of owners and their relation with dogs.
May 2, 2019
I liked the it was a collection of short stories. A lot of them didn’t end with the happily ever after but our furry friend sadly have such short lives.
Enjoyed it.
Enjoyed it.
August 30, 2019
My favorite book of the year. So perfect for the Dog Days of August. I love my dog and the book makes me want another one.
September 6, 2019
I loved this collection of dog stories. There were definitely some sad tales, but there were also many LOL funny ones.
December 15, 2019
The Good Dog is an excellent collection of short stories and essays about dogs from a remarkable group of authors. Recommended for all dog lovers.
December 27, 2019
I am homesick for a dog, so it is no surprise that I would cozy up with this one. I loved it mostly, and so I gave it 5 stars, but I do confess that I skimmed the hunting stories.
September 10, 2021
Pleasant collection of stories - I laughed and I sniffle cried
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews