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Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Very Good, Very Bad Dog: 101 Heartwarming Stories about Our Happy, Heroic & Hilarious Pets
What has that dog done now? You’ll recognize your own canine companion in this collection of 101 stories about how very good and very bad our dogs can be.
From clever dogs that sneak food to heroic dogs that save lives—from mischievous dogs that chew shoes to intuitive dogs that repair families—from goofy dogs that crack us up to nurturing dogs that act like therapists—you’ll have a new appreciation for your own dog’s unique skills.
With a special emphasis on the joy of adopting dogs from shelters, these stories will make you laugh out loud and maybe even shed a tear or two. And your purchase will help support the great work of the American Humane Association!
From clever dogs that sneak food to heroic dogs that save lives—from mischievous dogs that chew shoes to intuitive dogs that repair families—from goofy dogs that crack us up to nurturing dogs that act like therapists—you’ll have a new appreciation for your own dog’s unique skills.
With a special emphasis on the joy of adopting dogs from shelters, these stories will make you laugh out loud and maybe even shed a tear or two. And your purchase will help support the great work of the American Humane Association!
400 pages, Paperback
First published February 9, 2016
58 people are currently reading
215 people want to read
About the author
Amy Newmark
372 books178 followersAmy Newmark is the bestselling author, editor-in-chief, and publisher of the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. Since 2008, she has published 191 new Chicken Soup for the Soul titles, most of them national bestsellers in the U.S. and Canada, more than doubling the number of Chicken Soup for the Soul titles in print today.
Amy is credited with revitalizing the Chicken Soup for the Soul brand, which has been a publishing industry phenomenon since the first book came out in 1993. By compiling inspirational and aspirational true stories curated from ordinary people who have had extraordinary experiences, Amy has kept the thirty-year-old Chicken Soup for the Soul brand fresh and relevant.
Follow Amy on Twitter @amynewmark. Listen to her free podcast, The Chicken Soup for the Soul Podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, the Podcasts app on iPhone, or by using your favorite podcast app on other devices.
Amy is credited with revitalizing the Chicken Soup for the Soul brand, which has been a publishing industry phenomenon since the first book came out in 1993. By compiling inspirational and aspirational true stories curated from ordinary people who have had extraordinary experiences, Amy has kept the thirty-year-old Chicken Soup for the Soul brand fresh and relevant.
Follow Amy on Twitter @amynewmark. Listen to her free podcast, The Chicken Soup for the Soul Podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, the Podcasts app on iPhone, or by using your favorite podcast app on other devices.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 18, 2019
As always I enjoy the Chicken Soup books, and I enjoyed this one especially because it was concerning dogs. I have two myself and they can make you laugh constantly. I enjoy this type of book from time to time to help me destress from a lot of the more stressful books that I do enjoy reading, a lot of those are a lot darker and this book brings lightness in and makes you laugh.
September 27, 2017
Yay me for remembering my library books were there two days before they were due back(and yes, I'd already rehired them once haha) This isn't my first Chicken Soup for the Soul book, I love their entire animal collection! When I saw this was in I had to have it (and promptly forget about it) ahem. This books really do follow their title, they are nice uplifting stories that make you feel better. They are soothing!
I recommend trying them if you haven't before. Pick something you already like, cats, dogs, horses etc and you'll find you niche. Five stars!
I recommend trying them if you haven't before. Pick something you already like, cats, dogs, horses etc and you'll find you niche. Five stars!
February 29, 2016
Will Make You Laugh, Cry, and Amaze You
Though some of the stories started without telling the breed of the dog, some not even saying whether or not the dog was large or small, they were good stories. I laughed after reading some, was sad after others, and amazed at many. The book was expertly sectioned off into different types of stories. It was a very enjoyable read.
Though some of the stories started without telling the breed of the dog, some not even saying whether or not the dog was large or small, they were good stories. I laughed after reading some, was sad after others, and amazed at many. The book was expertly sectioned off into different types of stories. It was a very enjoyable read.
November 23, 2020
so heartwarming <3
July 24, 2017
Are you a dog lover? Then this is a book for you to read! It is not your typical Chicken Soup book where you need a box of tissues near by. It is a collection of 101 warm and fuzzy stories about dogs, although there are a couple of tear jerkers. Each story begins with a fun fact/trivia. It amazed me what some dogs can do while I read these stories. Dogs are definitely part of the family!
April 30, 2016
got this my birthday. perfect book for dog lovers.
August 18, 2016
I liked this book very much but the sad stories made me cry.
September 27, 2016
Cute and touching stories !
October 4, 2016
Loved this book...funny, heartwarming, inspirationial and sad...Make sure you have some tissues when you read this book...
January 15, 2017
This book will make a person cry more than laugh but sometimes a person needs a good cry
May 30, 2019
I love dogs, and these short stories about (mostly) rescued dogs warmed my heart - as they said they would.
February 25, 2021
"Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Very Good, Very Bad Dog"
Amy Newmark
Reviewed on 24 Feb 2021
This book is filled with heart-warming stories that will bring a smile to your face. There are goofy dogs to heroic dogs and lots more in-between. There are some extraordinary dogs in this book, there are some silly dog owners, also. I have had several dogs in my life and never have I ever thought to tie my dog to an movable inanimate object while I go into the shops. However, the image of a golden retriever and a doberman running around in the streets with a table between them was pretty funny.
I did enjoy reading about the heroic dogs like the Great Dane who rescued a Japanese lady from drowning in the ocean. Such a well-taught Dane! It makes me think about how I need to up my game with my own dog and to teach her to swim floating bodies to shore! On page 204, there's a story about a dog named Stella who was used as a bait dog in a dog-fighting ring. It amazes me how dogs can open their hearts to people, even after humans have failed them. "If she can take another chance on life, I can live mine fuller as well. Moving on is a wonder for of liberation," wrote Marsha Porter.
Fun fact on page 219 states that dogs can understand and average of 60 words or phrases, although some can understand up to 300 words. I find this "fact" interesting as I had read in another book that some dogs have the ability to think and understand the equivalent vernacular of a 2 year old toddler, with another book stating that they can understand similar to what an 8 year old child understands. I own a Rhodesian Ridgeback mixed 2.5 year old pup named Jazabelle and she understands over 100 verbal and nonverbal cues, maybe even more. She knows words like "Daddy" and "kiss" and "bunny", so when I ask her to "Go bring bunny to daddy and kiss him," why then, do I get so impressed that she does exactly what I request of her, especially when there is food involved? Now if I can only teach her to save a drowning woman's life!
Many stories were of normal dogs, just like the ones I rescue. The stories are well-written and this book is good for a light pick-me-up after more serious and dark books.
Amy Newmark
Reviewed on 24 Feb 2021
This book is filled with heart-warming stories that will bring a smile to your face. There are goofy dogs to heroic dogs and lots more in-between. There are some extraordinary dogs in this book, there are some silly dog owners, also. I have had several dogs in my life and never have I ever thought to tie my dog to an movable inanimate object while I go into the shops. However, the image of a golden retriever and a doberman running around in the streets with a table between them was pretty funny.
I did enjoy reading about the heroic dogs like the Great Dane who rescued a Japanese lady from drowning in the ocean. Such a well-taught Dane! It makes me think about how I need to up my game with my own dog and to teach her to swim floating bodies to shore! On page 204, there's a story about a dog named Stella who was used as a bait dog in a dog-fighting ring. It amazes me how dogs can open their hearts to people, even after humans have failed them. "If she can take another chance on life, I can live mine fuller as well. Moving on is a wonder for of liberation," wrote Marsha Porter.
Fun fact on page 219 states that dogs can understand and average of 60 words or phrases, although some can understand up to 300 words. I find this "fact" interesting as I had read in another book that some dogs have the ability to think and understand the equivalent vernacular of a 2 year old toddler, with another book stating that they can understand similar to what an 8 year old child understands. I own a Rhodesian Ridgeback mixed 2.5 year old pup named Jazabelle and she understands over 100 verbal and nonverbal cues, maybe even more. She knows words like "Daddy" and "kiss" and "bunny", so when I ask her to "Go bring bunny to daddy and kiss him," why then, do I get so impressed that she does exactly what I request of her, especially when there is food involved? Now if I can only teach her to save a drowning woman's life!
Many stories were of normal dogs, just like the ones I rescue. The stories are well-written and this book is good for a light pick-me-up after more serious and dark books.
October 28, 2019
It’s a typical Chicken Soup book, full of funny, cute, heartwarming, and occasionally sad (thankfully not too many) short stories about owning dogs. Good dogs, bad dogs, service dogs, rescue dogs, and everything in between. I’ll still take my rescue mutts over paying for a purebreed or a cat any day.
November 7, 2022
Typical saccharine offering in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, "My Very Good, Very Bad Dog" book presented over a hundred very brief stories of the canine life.
You don't have to be a dog lover to enjoy these snippets, but it does help. There are a few funny cartoons interspersed and each story presents a fun fact as a preface.
Easy read -
You don't have to be a dog lover to enjoy these snippets, but it does help. There are a few funny cartoons interspersed and each story presents a fun fact as a preface.
Easy read -
August 22, 2022
Always nice to read a "Chicken Soup For the Soul" book. This one focuses on Dogs. As usual each chapter focuses on different areas involving dogs. Hero dogs, working dogs, naughty{but still lovable dogs}etc. A fun read.
August 17, 2020
Very cute real life stories for dog and animal lovers to enjoy.
August 2, 2021
I enjoyed the book but it wasn't quite as good as many of the Chicken Soup books and there was a lot of marketing for dog rescue.
January 25, 2023
Great stories for dog lovers everywhere. The short stories are perfect for the busy dog lover. One story at a time.
May 12, 2023
2016 - Trade - Non-Fiction - 636.7 - Have It - Read It
August 27, 2024
Very comical book about true life experience of dogs loved it
February 12, 2025
Heartwarming! Be prepared to laugh, cry and do it all over again.
June 4, 2021
Good stories. All dogs are great, and hopefully we all have little stories about our own great dogs.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews