Ghost Dogs of the South

by Randy Russell, Janet Barnett

Award-winning husband-and-wife folklorists Randy Russell and Janet Barnett have gone to the dogs. Digging deeply through the rich field of Southern folklore, the authors have discovered that a dog's devotion to its human does not always end at the grave. Dogs can be as peculiar as people. Their relationship with humans is complex. In story after story from Southern homes, there is strong evidence that this relationship can extend beyond death. Do dogs return from the other side to comfort and aid their human companions? You bet your buried bones they do. In  Ghost Dogs of the South , you'll meet the A stray dog that warns Kentucky coal miners of impending disaster; a literary critic of a dog with the gift of speech; a dog-snatching mermaid on the Mississippi River; a Tennessee dog that returns year after year to go trick-or-treating; a pair of Georgia hounds that stumble upon an enchanted woods; a girl whose pain is eased by the ghost of a butterfly dog. Dog ghosts (dogs that have become ghosts), ghost dogs (humans who return as ghosts in the shape of dogs), dogs that see ghosts, dogs that are afraid of ghosts―all make an appearance in these twenty stories that illuminate the shadow side of man's best friend. For several years, folklorists Randy Russell and Janet Barnett have taught a course about Southern folklore at the North Carolina Center for Advancement of Teaching in Cullowhee, North Carolina. Russell is also the author of several mysteries, including Edgar Award nominee Hot Wire .They live in Asheville, North Carolina. "Alternately eerie, funny, tragic and sentimental . . . These tales will undoubtedly delight dog lovers and will not fail to charm even the most dour skeptics of supernatural phenomena." — Publishers Weekly

Genres: Paranormal, Nonfiction, Ghost Stories, Folklore, Short Stories, Animals

287 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Novelist. Ghost Lore. Ghostlorist.

Reviews

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give this book a 3.5. I love to read about dogs. This one is a bit different. these are short stories. Most take place years ago. some in the 1800s early to mid 1900s. These stories are known as "folklore". are they true? stories that have a spin to it? I think it is up to the readers to decide. each of the stories take place somewhere in a southern state. Each story involves a dog. some of the dogs are alive and can see ghosts. other stories have dogs who have died in the story and their ghosts are seen. I liked some of the stories better than others. I liked the one about the dog who had an owner who worked in a mine. Everyday he came to the mine site with his master. One day he saved their lives by getting them out of the mine just in time before it collapsed. I also liked the story of the dog who missed his owner who went off to the civil war. when the master died the dog died and you could see the ghost of the dog at the masters gravesite. or the dog and master who were killed in a hurricane and people can still see the dog house and dog in the water. plenty of other folklore stories in this book. pretty good read.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the flavor and whimsy of this book. Southern tales that ring to the South I grew up in and my grandparents' times and before always are close to my heart. Good dogs are always good dogs, ghost or not.

[Paige · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whoever made up the saying "the best is saved for last" wasn't kidding; thee ONLY reason I gave this book two stars is because the last two stories touched my heart. I'm judging this book simply based on my emotions. Realistically, this is a good book, but for me, I couldn't stand it. Hence why it took my three years to finish...

[Papillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read all the horrible reviews for this book. From what I can tell, the major complaint is that these stories are "fake" and that "no way" did they actually happen. Well, I hate to burst these folks' bubbles, but this is not a non-fiction book. If you go at this book like it's going to be a factual textbook-like accounting of paranormal happenings, then, yes, you will be sorely disappointed. If you go into this book in the mindset in which I believe it was intended, then you will have a nice time-killing read. Ghost Dogs of the South is a book retelling folk stories/legends that have probably been told thousands of times. These stories are meant to entertain, not teach.

Ghost Dogs of the South is a collection of short stories about dogs that have passed on but come back, dogs that can see ghosts, and one about a dog that was simply magical, but not really sure he was a ghost. Like any collection of short stories, some are definitely better than others. There are a couple that are just plain stupid, but there are a few that make you think of them long after you've finished the book. They remind me of stories that old timers would tell all the kids on summer evenings to keep them entertained for a little while.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book and might even read it again after some time.

[Dee · Rating 1 out of 5]

The stories were more folklore that had been retold and retold and exaggerated beyond even partial belief.
The book wasn't what I had expected or hoped it would be.
The prologue and the foreword, I'm sorry to say, were the best parts.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect, especially when you drive around with a brick from the old cementery (to keep you safe) where your grandmother was buried. Not me, my aunt. This was a gift for her and I had to buy a copy.

[Frances · Rating 3 out of 5]

More folk stories than true accounts. The first story was the best and likewise the stories in the forward.

[David Grissom · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the book, The stories were different from what I had expected.

[Cj Zawacki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avery entertaining collection of folk tales pertaining to ghost dogs. Any dog lover will love these stories of faithful dogs and their human companions. Some are sweet, some bittersweet, and some comforting, none evil.

[Debra B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and entertaining.

[Sam Uhl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful tales of the relationship (both earthly and otherworldly) between humans and dogs told through true stories and well-researches folk-lore.

I thoroughly enjoyed every well-written page!

[Roxana · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was entertaing. And you don't need to read it in order

[Valerian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of good boys.

[David Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent collection of folk tales from the American South, all starring dogs.

[Katye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read, short stories! I love ghost stories and these were cute. I did certainly underestimate how sad I would be when some of these dogs died though.

[Teresa Littrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great ghost stories, enjoyed the old times pics too!

[April Helms · Rating 4 out of 5]

My parents picked this up for me when they were in Hilton Head- they know me so well! This is a collection of short stories involving dogs, ghost dogs and dog's interactions with ghosts. The title is slightly misleading for not all of the dogs related here are (or become) ghosts but the tales are so enjoyable this didn't bother me. The tales ranged from possibly true to almost certainly tall tales and legends. Some stories, such as A Dog's Wish (which falls into the later category of probable fable) are hilarious. Also loved Watch Dog, which sounds like it could possibly be true, about a dog which saved his master not once, but twice. Also like how the authors go into some of the general terms with ghosts and ghost dogs, such as plat-eye and moss dogs (neither of which you want to encounter.) The vintage pictures throughout are not connected to the stories but are a nice touch.

[Lex · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an amazing book. I could hardly put it down. The simplest of stories were told in fascinating detail and mesmerizing storytelling. If you don't believe in ghosts, you need to read this book. I read some of the stories aloud to my boyfriend, who is a nonbeliever, and I think that now his opinion has changed. "What reason would they have to not tell the truth?" was his question. Some stories seem too odd to believe, but I've always known that there's "something else" out there when we're not looking or when we take an extra moment to look. "Ghost Dogs of the South" tells those stories about people who took the extra moment to look.

[William Howle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book of short stories. Some are more interesting than others and some are very touching. I have always had an interest in ghost stories and as these are set in the south, it makes it more interesting. I have been to some of the places mentioned.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much better than the cats one.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

i like this book because it tell about lost dogs.

[Ryan Dillard · Rating 2 out of 5]

a little cheasy but interesting.

[Becky Torbett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet stories of folklore from the South depicting the devotion of dogs.