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Come Back, Como
Steven Winn and his wife, Sally, held out for as long as they could. When the San Francisco couple finally gave in to their only child Phoebe's pleas for a dog, they adopted a scraggly terrier mutt from a local animal shelter.
The new family pet, Como, turned out to hate men - especially the author - and proved to be a cunning escape artist. Traumatized, single-minded, and exceptionally clever, Como was bent on breaking Winn's sanity and self-respect, his bank account and his heart.
Come Back, Como is the story of one man's hilarious and poignant quest to win the trust of a dog who wanted nothing to do with him. With humor and pathos, Winn describes the maddening but ultimately rewarding effects Como had on his family, the misadventures and ordeals and terrifying events he and his dog endured together, and the greatest lesson Como taught that loving a dog can make us more human.
The new family pet, Como, turned out to hate men - especially the author - and proved to be a cunning escape artist. Traumatized, single-minded, and exceptionally clever, Como was bent on breaking Winn's sanity and self-respect, his bank account and his heart.
Come Back, Como is the story of one man's hilarious and poignant quest to win the trust of a dog who wanted nothing to do with him. With humor and pathos, Winn describes the maddening but ultimately rewarding effects Como had on his family, the misadventures and ordeals and terrifying events he and his dog endured together, and the greatest lesson Como taught that loving a dog can make us more human.
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First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
June 1, 2019
I enjoyed this book. Steven's family adopts a dog from their local shelter. Unfortunately, the dog has a deep mistrust of men. The book shares all the ups, and downs, of meshing Como into their family, and the insight into living life that he brought to them, too.
3 Stars = I liked the book. I'm glad I read it.
3 Stars = I liked the book. I'm glad I read it.
September 18, 2023
Come Back, Como: Winning the Heart of a Reluctant Dog by Steven Winn
Based on a true story. Steven Winn and his wife, Sally finally give in to their only child Phoebe who pleas for a dog, they adopted a scraggly terrier mutt from a animal shelter The new family pet doesn't like men especially the author of this book and proved to be a good escape artist. Lots of humor and laughs though out this book. I absolutely love this book
Based on a true story. Steven Winn and his wife, Sally finally give in to their only child Phoebe who pleas for a dog, they adopted a scraggly terrier mutt from a animal shelter The new family pet doesn't like men especially the author of this book and proved to be a good escape artist. Lots of humor and laughs though out this book. I absolutely love this book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2015
I have been reading animal books for years, and this is definitely one of my favorite of the genre. Instantly, you feel connected to this poor author, who, after having bad experiences with dogs, is reluctant to get one for his insistent daughter. I know exactly what it's like to get your long awaited furry bundle of joy home, and have him instantly attack the furniture (or in my case, the yard; see giant pot holes)
Como himself is no exemplary dog; this is a story of an average dog, with no special talent other than that of all pets; to fill our lives with a little more joy, a little more mess, and a little more happiness we never knew we were missing. If you're not drawn in my his gently perked up ears, doggy nose and hopeful expression, hopefully this review leads you to reading this wonderful example of experiences with a reluctant dog.
Como himself is no exemplary dog; this is a story of an average dog, with no special talent other than that of all pets; to fill our lives with a little more joy, a little more mess, and a little more happiness we never knew we were missing. If you're not drawn in my his gently perked up ears, doggy nose and hopeful expression, hopefully this review leads you to reading this wonderful example of experiences with a reluctant dog.
December 1, 2013
I really wanted to like it because the cover is adorable, but the fact of the matter is that no one in this book is very likeable, including the dog, and nothing profound or interesting happens.
That, and I was immediately turned off at the beginning by the author refusing his daughter's first choice in dogs because it's predicted to grow to the ungodly and unmanageable size of..."30 to 40 pounds." That makes so little sense to me I can't even come up with a way to respond to it, and when you immediately distrust the author of a memoir, it colors your perception in a way that's hard to overcome.
That, and I was immediately turned off at the beginning by the author refusing his daughter's first choice in dogs because it's predicted to grow to the ungodly and unmanageable size of..."30 to 40 pounds." That makes so little sense to me I can't even come up with a way to respond to it, and when you immediately distrust the author of a memoir, it colors your perception in a way that's hard to overcome.
October 11, 2009
When John Grogan dies and is at the pearly gates, he is going to have to answer for his crime of making "bad dog" books such a phenomenon. (Also for the movie version of his book, but I digress). Some of those books are reasonably good, like his. This one is not.
This is a book about your average neurotic dog that gets hit by a car. The author tries to find a lot of deep meaning in the experience of getting and owning this dog, but there really isn't anything much there.
This is a book about your average neurotic dog that gets hit by a car. The author tries to find a lot of deep meaning in the experience of getting and owning this dog, but there really isn't anything much there.
July 18, 2011
I'm a sucker for animal books, but this one just didn't have much to offer. Cute little dog has behavioral problems, and... Snore. Nothing particularly interesting/funny/enlightening happens. The author got on my nerves and was a completely ignorant dog owner. (No wonder Como hated him!)
One thing this book DOES have going for it over Marley & Me, Dewey the Library Cat, Wesley the Owl et al is that at the time of publication, Como was still alive and kicking, which means I didn't have to read about the dog getting old and sick and dying. If you're particularly sensitive to those "death chapters" that usually end these animal books, this a safe one to pick up!
One thing this book DOES have going for it over Marley & Me, Dewey the Library Cat, Wesley the Owl et al is that at the time of publication, Como was still alive and kicking, which means I didn't have to read about the dog getting old and sick and dying. If you're particularly sensitive to those "death chapters" that usually end these animal books, this a safe one to pick up!
October 6, 2012
I spent the entire book feeling sorry for the author, Steven Winn, who was bullied into buying a dog that he didn't want by his over-indulged daughter. The dog hated men, a fear most likely caused by mistreatment of a man in the dogs former life, and it was apparent that the arrangement was traumatic for both Steven and the dog. I spent half the book wanting to indiscipline the spoilt daughter, and the other half admiring Steven for persevering with an impossible situation.
Having said all that, the book is an entertaining read, and if you don't let the dynamics of the family relationship get to you then you will enjoy it.
Having said all that, the book is an entertaining read, and if you don't let the dynamics of the family relationship get to you then you will enjoy it.
January 9, 2010
I picked this up because the cover photo reminded me of my dearly departed Archie and because I'm a sucker for dog stories. This would have made a terrific short story, but there wasn't enough there to justify 270 pages. Based on the subtitle, I know that the author and the dog eventually find some sort of peace. But when I reached page 165 and was still in the "Oh, woe is me! I have such a bad dog and he doesn't even like me!" phase I lost patience.
April 18, 2018
enjoyed this story of a difficult but altogether good dog. Took a star off due to his appalling comments about pit bulls -- the first on page 8 -- "....the sea of snarling pit bulls...". I guess Mr. Winn tried to step back from his negative first description of pits a bit further along in the book (page 52), when he, his wife, and daughter visited an SPCA site when they were looking to adopt a dog. But it remained negative. No other breed does he describe this way in his book. Given that he worked for a newspaper and I would expect subscribes to journalistic ethics, I would expect Mr. Winn to not jump to such a conclusion without a bit more research. Regardless, he's dead wrong about pits; unfortunately his experience didn't prompt him to learn more about this type of dog.
Setting aside his ignorance, the story about Como was enjoyable. And, I loved the end. Made me want to hug that dog - but not Mr. Winn.
Setting aside his ignorance, the story about Como was enjoyable. And, I loved the end. Made me want to hug that dog - but not Mr. Winn.
July 31, 2009
"Anybody could love an easily lovable dog. It was the hard ones, the thorny, bruised and highly amped dogs who put you to the test of how far you are willing to go, how much of yourself you were able to give up, how much it meant to connect to another flawed being". (pg 148)
I love dogs in the same determined way the author's daughter loves dogs. She campaigned for years until her parents reluctantly adopted a shelter dog (from a no-kill shelter) who seemed to be damaged beyond saving. But with love and patience and acceptance and a terrible accident over the next 18 months, the dog became a most beloved, integral part of the family, And the guy who had to work the hardest to find connection with the dog ended up loving him the most.
Great story and wonderful testimony to adopting shelter dogs.
I love dogs in the same determined way the author's daughter loves dogs. She campaigned for years until her parents reluctantly adopted a shelter dog (from a no-kill shelter) who seemed to be damaged beyond saving. But with love and patience and acceptance and a terrible accident over the next 18 months, the dog became a most beloved, integral part of the family, And the guy who had to work the hardest to find connection with the dog ended up loving him the most.
Great story and wonderful testimony to adopting shelter dogs.
February 6, 2011
Inside this full-length memoir was a long article struggling to get out.
July 8, 2018
There were a lot of things I really liked about this book, especially the progression of the husband and wife in acceptance of Como. I was very frustrated with the author in many places, because he was so negative about Como and his experiences with him. All that negativity and bad energy may well have contributed to the time it took Como to feel loved and accepted and safe. If you have dogs, watch how they react when you are angry or scared.
Later, when he revealed his past, which maybe even points to some dog fear, I was a bit more sympathetic. The biggest issue I had was what I see as dog-bias. His early remark about "snarling pit-bulls" and another negative pit bull remark reveal what could either be a true ignorance or just relying to a stereotype, either one which could be devastating to bully-breed dogs and lowers my estimation of the quality of an author. We already have this huge problem with getting dogs that are bully breed adopted, and this extends to dogs that even look like a bully breed dog.
Most bully breed dogs love humans. Most love other animals. Yes, some truly are bad dogs. But should the great ones out there pay for that with their own lives? Should dogs linger in shelter for months and years because of this? Breed bans have been used for many breeds of dogs, the latest being dogs with large, square heads, labeled as killers ready to attack any moment. And let's be real here - this is "feel good" legislation that does little to nothing to solve the issues - predominanty violent, cruel owners, horrific back yard breeders, and a few outliers. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/t...
Maybe Mr. Winn would have found a great family dog from the outset had he not had this prejudice. And perhaps Como would have been more quickly become a happy, well-adjusted dog had the author instead resolved his own fears before taking on a dog. Rescue dogs come with baggage sometimes. But they are also ready and willing to find the great homes they always deserved. And I am greatful this dog had a happy ending.
Later, when he revealed his past, which maybe even points to some dog fear, I was a bit more sympathetic. The biggest issue I had was what I see as dog-bias. His early remark about "snarling pit-bulls" and another negative pit bull remark reveal what could either be a true ignorance or just relying to a stereotype, either one which could be devastating to bully-breed dogs and lowers my estimation of the quality of an author. We already have this huge problem with getting dogs that are bully breed adopted, and this extends to dogs that even look like a bully breed dog.
Most bully breed dogs love humans. Most love other animals. Yes, some truly are bad dogs. But should the great ones out there pay for that with their own lives? Should dogs linger in shelter for months and years because of this? Breed bans have been used for many breeds of dogs, the latest being dogs with large, square heads, labeled as killers ready to attack any moment. And let's be real here - this is "feel good" legislation that does little to nothing to solve the issues - predominanty violent, cruel owners, horrific back yard breeders, and a few outliers. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/t...
Maybe Mr. Winn would have found a great family dog from the outset had he not had this prejudice. And perhaps Como would have been more quickly become a happy, well-adjusted dog had the author instead resolved his own fears before taking on a dog. Rescue dogs come with baggage sometimes. But they are also ready and willing to find the great homes they always deserved. And I am greatful this dog had a happy ending.
May 18, 2017
Como resembles my own little Duffy, which is why my friend got this book for me for Christmas. The book had its origins in a series of columns written for the San Francisco Chronicle, and it's another "chronicle" of a clueless human who has to learn the hard way how to connect with a dog; kind of like me with a couple of my dogs. The author finally does begin to understand that Como is coming from some bad experiences that color his perceptions of people, other dogs, and the world he lives in now. A rare dog book: it doesn't end with the dog's death.
September 4, 2017
Pooh, Pooh, to those reviewers who didn't like this, or thought it was too much fluff.
I enjoyed this immensely. I was drawn to the dog on the cover. I volunteer in a shelter, and know all too well that this histories of the animals are a mystery, and it takes lots of patience and time for them to trust again. Mr. Winn writes with such humor about his dog relationship, that I found myself laughing. And I loved that this didn't have the typical ending... you know, one that requires much kleenix. Great read.
I enjoyed this immensely. I was drawn to the dog on the cover. I volunteer in a shelter, and know all too well that this histories of the animals are a mystery, and it takes lots of patience and time for them to trust again. Mr. Winn writes with such humor about his dog relationship, that I found myself laughing. And I loved that this didn't have the typical ending... you know, one that requires much kleenix. Great read.
June 2, 2018
Como Is a Handful!
Como is a small, fluffy white dog of unknown lineage. He bonds easily with both the mother and daughter of the family that adopts him but is afraid of men, frustrating and intriguing the author. Como is able to get himself out of anything he is put in, including wire kennels and the house, leading to difficulties for the family. Almost anyone who enjoys dogs as family pets would most likely enjoy Come Back, Como.
Como is a small, fluffy white dog of unknown lineage. He bonds easily with both the mother and daughter of the family that adopts him but is afraid of men, frustrating and intriguing the author. Como is able to get himself out of anything he is put in, including wire kennels and the house, leading to difficulties for the family. Almost anyone who enjoys dogs as family pets would most likely enjoy Come Back, Como.
March 29, 2018
Slow start
I got tired of the waffling back and forth about getting a dog and the pet history of the family at the beginning and almost quit reading. However, once the story of Como,Z, started it was the dog book I had picked up. The author masterfully shows how dogs intertwine themselves into our family. It was a heartwarming read.
I got tired of the waffling back and forth about getting a dog and the pet history of the family at the beginning and almost quit reading. However, once the story of Como,Z, started it was the dog book I had picked up. The author masterfully shows how dogs intertwine themselves into our family. It was a heartwarming read.
April 25, 2018
I am a lover of all animal books. We owned many different breeds over the past 50 years, each had their own special memories for us. Our last was a Carrin terrier who owned us with all his heart. This book brought back so many memories of
Maui. Our last great companion. Enjoy this book and the memories it will stir up. Be sure to keep a Kleenex handy.
Maui. Our last great companion. Enjoy this book and the memories it will stir up. Be sure to keep a Kleenex handy.
June 11, 2018
Good- not great!
I think it took a long time to get my interest. I usually enjoy stories about animals- especially dogs and cats. This story was not about Como the dog ! It was about the man in the story. When I realized that the story became more interesting. I feel that is has a good ending.
I think it took a long time to get my interest. I usually enjoy stories about animals- especially dogs and cats. This story was not about Como the dog ! It was about the man in the story. When I realized that the story became more interesting. I feel that is has a good ending.
March 5, 2018
I give it 2 1/2 stars. The dog story is cute if you are a dog lover and you can understand the love they have for their dog. So much of this is memoirs and reflections about friends and relatives and what they did on trips. That got boring fast.
April 1, 2018
A charming story of a man's attempts at winning the favor of a stray dog his family adopts. Since I have adopted a stray as well, I really enjoyed the ends he went to in order to finally be accepted by the stray mutt.
August 7, 2018
Warm, wonderful story.
Como is the sort of dog everyone should own. If dogs could only talk so we would know what they were thinking. Adopting a shelter animal is the only way to go.
Como is the sort of dog everyone should own. If dogs could only talk so we would know what they were thinking. Adopting a shelter animal is the only way to go.
February 13, 2021
The writing had quite a bit of humour, especially early on in the book when the family is trying to find a suitable dog. Later on it got a little slow and boring, especially the last couple of chapters. Either way, I never got to like that dog and I was never convinced that Steve did either.
January 1, 2010
This is an easy to read book, but it seems this author knew nothing about dogs and did a lot of overthinking when he got one. The picture on the cover is really cute though!
June 24, 2017
An enjoyable true account--liked the author's style and humor. And I do like ready memoirs!
March 28, 2018
I love books about dogs, especially ones that are true.This one just missed its mark for me. It was just ok.
April 10, 2018
Heart rendering story of a dog.
March 8, 2020
Nice story about a family and a somewhat crazy rescue dog.
January 7, 2021
Pour être tout à fait honnête, je me suis bien retrouvée dans ce livre. C’est d’ailleurs sûrement pour ça que je l’ai apprécié. Au-delà de sa facilité de lecture, de ses tournures de phrases simples, et des quelques fou rire qu’il arrive à nous procurer, ce roman, c’est surtout une très belle histoire qui détient une morale tout aussi magnifique.
Finalement ce que j’ai d’abord aimé dans ce livre, c’est les messages qui sont dispersés tout du long. Lorsque l’on adopte un chien c’est une responsabilité. Il faut avoir la sagesse d’être patient, et la patience d’être sage. Surtout avec un nouveau chien.
Je dirais que ce livre est à offrir à ceux qui veulent des chiens, pour leur montrer la réalité d’une adoption et les efforts et sacrifices qu’il faut parfois faire pour que la cohabitation se passe bien. Même si ça vous paraît dur, même si ça vous paraît agaçant, insupportable, onéreux ou encore épuisant, je puis vous avez assuré que pour la plupart des cas, si ce n’est tous, ça en vaut largement la peine. Et si justement cela paraît trop dur, trop onéreux, et trop épuisant… Alors c’est peut-être qu’il faut remettre en cause cette idée d’adoption ;) À méditer !
Finalement ce que j’ai d’abord aimé dans ce livre, c’est les messages qui sont dispersés tout du long. Lorsque l’on adopte un chien c’est une responsabilité. Il faut avoir la sagesse d’être patient, et la patience d’être sage. Surtout avec un nouveau chien.
Je dirais que ce livre est à offrir à ceux qui veulent des chiens, pour leur montrer la réalité d’une adoption et les efforts et sacrifices qu’il faut parfois faire pour que la cohabitation se passe bien. Même si ça vous paraît dur, même si ça vous paraît agaçant, insupportable, onéreux ou encore épuisant, je puis vous avez assuré que pour la plupart des cas, si ce n’est tous, ça en vaut largement la peine. Et si justement cela paraît trop dur, trop onéreux, et trop épuisant… Alors c’est peut-être qu’il faut remettre en cause cette idée d’adoption ;) À méditer !
May 19, 2024
This book was okay. It was okay in a way that the story was okay but it didn't really tell anything special or memorable. It's about the author finally relenting and getting the dog for his daughter and the dog he adopts from the shelter has some trust issues they have to overcome. They manage to overcome them after Como runs out of the front door and in front of the car and nearly loses either his life either his mobility. After that he slowly gains the trust of his owner and we leave on a good note- I was expecting more from this book considering it's almost 300 pages long and the audiobook is fairly long - but it's a pretty much filler filled book about getting and training a dog from a shelter and it's not really memorable and it doesn't really stand out amongst many other real life books about dogs and their own overcoming adversity.
August 21, 2023
Come Back, Como is a pleasant book about one family's adventures with a one year old terrier mix adopted from a local shelter. Como, as he comes to be known, has his quirks and appealing characteristics. His chief downfall, according to the author, is his unending desire to escape through the opened front door. The book recounts Como's escapades and the evolving relationship with the author and his dog.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews