Old Friends: Great Dogs on the Good Life

by Mark J. Asher

Old dogs know plenty of tricks for staying young at heart - and here they are! This humorous and loving collection of duotone portraits captures the golden years of humanity's best friends and most faithful companions. Sage and tender moments are caught on film and are paired with captions that reveal each dog's age and their secrets for a long and happy life, such as Tonto (12): "Lift and pee, lift and pee, lift and pee on every tree," and Kelsey (11): "Never let little dogs with bows in their hair get the best of you." These are dogs who know how to live life fully and recognize its priorities (like bacon). Old Friends is the perfect gift for dog owners and everyone who hopes to age gracefully in the canine spirit.

Genres: Dogs

96 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2003

About the author

Mark J. Asher is the author of several dog books, including: All That Ails You (over 1,000 Five-Star Reviews), Humphrey Was Here (pet loss memoir), and Canine Rhymes (dog poems).

PRAISE FOR MARK’S BOOKS:

“Beautifully told story about how important dogs are in helping, healing and brightening your day.”
—Reader review of All That Ails You

“The honesty and wisdom that grace this book will serve as a balm for others coping with their own pain.”
—Best Friends Magazine on Humphrey Was Here

“These animals jump from the pages, warm the heart, and inspire the soul.”
—The Humane Society of the United States on Old Friends

Reviews

[Greg]

After arriving at the Fort Worth zoo too late to join a group of students for lunch on an outing, I waited the last few minute for them in the zoo's gift shop. It took me ten minutes to read this short volume cover to cover. It was a gentle and mildly humorous collection of photos of old dogs, accompanied by their breed and age and a few "comments" about how to achieve longevity in life. Some were applicable to humans, most made me smile, and a couple caused me deeper reflection. A few of my favorites, as best I can remember them, were:

1. "Sit rather than stand, lay down rather than sit, and if you can't do either, eat."
2. "Spend some time with your friend every day."
3. "Assume all food is yours until proven otherwise."
4. "Take two long walks each day."
5. "Lift and pee, lift and pee, lift and pee on every tree."

For anyone who loves, or loved, an old dog.

[Kelly (Maybedog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful photos of old dogs and sweet and often humorous text make this a delightful book for any dog lover, especially an old-dog obsessed woman like me. How can you look at these faces and not realize that like fine wine, dogs get better with each passing year? (If you like this one, check out Old Dogs are the Best dogs)

[Anna Mosca]

When my 14 years old dog died this summer I was heartbroken. Although she had been suffering and in pain she tried until the last minute to show me her loyalty and faithfulness. She died in my arms so that made the moment bitter sweet. We were there for each other until the last difficult moment. Then the void. Here a dear friend from Hawaii, on the exact other side of the globe from Italy, sent me this book in a care package aimed to alleviate my pain. I loved the act, the care package, and this book. This is why I can’t rate it because it has such an important stand in my library as a witness of a passing and an act of love. It is nonetheless a beautiful book, filled with masterpiece photos of dog and I truly appreciate it as an art/photo book. It’s on my shelf and it will inspire to adopt another dog one day.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having recently lost my companion of 15 years, this book…… just left me in awe. These are the long time life lessons of the old grey muzzled loves, and the testament to their lives with a beloved human caring for them shines in every single portrait.

[Annburnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of nice photos honoring older dogs who don't usually get the attention. I really enjoyed the photographs and reading this book.

[Geo Hendrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a great picture book of very lovely dogs. All in Black and White. I loved the names of the Dogs. Each dogs gives you their personal secret to living a long life. Very cute.

[Christyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Old Friends: Great Dogs on the Good Life is a charming, quick read. It focuses on older dogs and their longevity secrets. Each portrait is accompanied by the name of each dog, their age and longevity secret(s). From the simple "~having a best friend" to the amusing "~sit rather than stand, ~sleep rather than sit, ~if you can't sit or sleep, eat" dog lovers are sure to recognize their own precious pooches in these dogs.

[Raisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the right book to complete the Dog Library at home, and a great gift for families who love dogs.

The photographs make a great collection, wish there were more pages and more dog breeds covered. This makes me remember my old friends who are now in peace. I miss them.

[PennsyLady (Bev) · Rating 5 out of 5]

text and photography by Mark J Asher

hardcover
96pg

If you love dogs and love to smile.......this book is for you

Lovely photography of canine elders ...each with their specific secret of longevity

5 ★ Fav