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Saving Izzy: The Abandoned Dog Who Stole My Heart
When Jon Katz hears about Izzy, a three-year-old Border collie kept alone in a field on an abandoned farm, his heart speaks louder than his head and he agrees to take him in. Once again Jon finds himself challenged by a difficult dog. Having found his human, Izzy wants to go with Jon wherever he may be, and jumps fences and chews through locks to do so. Jon has been through this before with his dog Orson, and isn't sure he can cope with the responsibility and potential heartache again. But Jon's motley collection of animals - from Jesus the baby donkey to Elvis the surprisingly sociable steer, as well of course as farm manager and Border collie Rose - form an ideal refuge for Izzy. And as Jon and Izzy decide they are perfect companions, Jon realises just how much life on the farm has taught him about patience, perseverance and love. Please note, Saving Izzy is the UK title for the book published in the US as Dog Days.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
8 people are currently reading
193 people want to read
About the author
Jon Katz
56 books467 followers Jon Katz is an author, photographer, and children's book writer. He lives on Bedlam Farm with his wife, the artist Maria Wulf, his four dogs, Rose, Izzy, Lenore and Frieda, two donkeys, Lulu and Fanny, and two barn cats. His next book, "Rose In A Storm" will be published by Random House on October 5.
He is working on a collection of short stories and a book on animal grieving.
He is working on a collection of short stories and a book on animal grieving.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 14, 2014
An inspiring and heartwarming account of his life and the animals of Bedlam Farm. The story doesn't just focus on Izzy, but about his environment before and after his rescue, and about how he fitted in to author's life, and with the rest of the animals on the farm. I found this a serious and quite reflective book.Jon Katz is an honest writer, who readily admits to his past mistakes and short-comings as a dog trainer, and he often gives the credit to his training success to the breeding and the adaptability of his dogs. His honesty and willingness to learn and develop as a trainer is impressive. He regards each new dog he acquires as an opportunity to develop as a trainer, and deepen his understanding of dogs, as individuals and as representatives of their breeding.
Izzy is clearly an outstanding dog.For the first 3 years of his life he was kept on an abandoned farm, fed and watered, but had no training or real sustained contact with humans. On arriving at Bedlam Farm he quickly emerged as adaptable and efficient sheepdog, eager to learn and with many skills which derived from his breeding.I know some feral dogs in Thailand that have this intelligence and adaptability. They respond well to the right kind of training, and have well developed survival skills. They also become deeply attached to anyone who shows them love, and spends time with them, especially quality training time. Izzy quickly takes on the role of Jon's shadow, and just wants to be with him and please him as best he can. One of the ways he does this is by demonstrating his skills at herding sheep.
Jon Katz has some fascinating observations on the differences between labradors and border collies, because he has had quite a number of both. These differences are important and valuable to a humane trainer like Katz, because he wants to work with a dog's strengths and appreciate their individuality and their breed based characteristics. The heart warming chapter on how his lab Pearl befriends an elderly lady a the physical therapy clinic, is made even more poignant when we are told that Pearl herself had required extensive joint surgery involving pins and nylon filaments to replace ligaments, and was often in pain herself. Katz's account of Pearl's work as self appointed therapy dog, and her clear rapport with the elderly lady with pain and mobility problems, is inspiring.
Even though he could be described as a "hobby farmer", Katz makes no attempt to present life on farm as a rural idyll. He realistically describes the setbacks and disasters which farmers have to face on a regular basis. There is rarely a time when all his stock and his pack of dogs and pet donkeys don't require some medical attention. Back problems, which are the bane of many farmers and laborers, frequently plague the author and restrict the range of lifting jobs he can tackle, as well slowing him down when working with livestock. Hence the vital importance of dedicated and hard working collies such as Rose and Izzy.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves dogs and is interested in human-canine interdependence.
Izzy is clearly an outstanding dog.For the first 3 years of his life he was kept on an abandoned farm, fed and watered, but had no training or real sustained contact with humans. On arriving at Bedlam Farm he quickly emerged as adaptable and efficient sheepdog, eager to learn and with many skills which derived from his breeding.I know some feral dogs in Thailand that have this intelligence and adaptability. They respond well to the right kind of training, and have well developed survival skills. They also become deeply attached to anyone who shows them love, and spends time with them, especially quality training time. Izzy quickly takes on the role of Jon's shadow, and just wants to be with him and please him as best he can. One of the ways he does this is by demonstrating his skills at herding sheep.
Jon Katz has some fascinating observations on the differences between labradors and border collies, because he has had quite a number of both. These differences are important and valuable to a humane trainer like Katz, because he wants to work with a dog's strengths and appreciate their individuality and their breed based characteristics. The heart warming chapter on how his lab Pearl befriends an elderly lady a the physical therapy clinic, is made even more poignant when we are told that Pearl herself had required extensive joint surgery involving pins and nylon filaments to replace ligaments, and was often in pain herself. Katz's account of Pearl's work as self appointed therapy dog, and her clear rapport with the elderly lady with pain and mobility problems, is inspiring.
Even though he could be described as a "hobby farmer", Katz makes no attempt to present life on farm as a rural idyll. He realistically describes the setbacks and disasters which farmers have to face on a regular basis. There is rarely a time when all his stock and his pack of dogs and pet donkeys don't require some medical attention. Back problems, which are the bane of many farmers and laborers, frequently plague the author and restrict the range of lifting jobs he can tackle, as well slowing him down when working with livestock. Hence the vital importance of dedicated and hard working collies such as Rose and Izzy.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves dogs and is interested in human-canine interdependence.
August 23, 2011
I want to live on Jon Katz farm ! This is the first book i have read by Jon Katz and so have missed the story of why and how he comes to own Bedlam farm ! and how he aquired the rest of his animals.In a nutshell he is a journalist who has brought a run down farm and is working from home but running the farm and trying to renovate it at the same time, his wife a teacher has remained in New York. Most of his animals seem to have come to him as they are unwanted and on death row, but find a place with him. At the same time this book is not over sentimental and although he obviously loves his animals they all have a place and he wouidnt keep something just for the sake of keeping. Although this book is called "saving Izzy," it is about all the animals on his farm, Rose his workaholic border collie, pearl the pat dog, clem the loveable lab, Elvis the steer,chickens and donkeys. He talks about everyone, at least once in their life finding their "forever dog" and i think this is probably true, but maybe you have different dogs for different stages of your life or is there 1 dog that stands out when you look back at your life? It certainly gives you something to think about. He gives one of his much loved dogs away because he feels he is not giving her enough time and she doesnt have a place in the pack, she goes to a friend and has a great life,attention and sees him all the time, at first i thought this was harsh but as i read more i came to understand his motives and the fact it was out of love he did this. The other touching part was when he came upon Rose's ( his border collie who is obsessed with herding the sheep )den in the middle of the thunderstorm. You do get an idea of how intelligent and complex border collies can be and how the right dog and the right person can make such a huge difference to a farm.
September 17, 2012
Izzy is what our border collie's name is, too, although we didn't get her name from Jon Katz. I didn't know that is what his BC's name was. It was only through absolutely devouring most of his books did I begin to understand what I was fighting. We can not project what we want on our animals. Instead, we have to let them follow instinct, and guide them into a projection. Otherwise, you're just going to get a scared dog and a frustrated owner. He so eloquently puts into words what we can not. I recommend any of his books to help any dog owner, soul searcher, or just book lover. I PROMISE you WILL NOT be disappointed.
March 16, 2013
As with all his non-fiction books this was wonderful. I guess I was expecting a little more about Izzy specifically. But I know from Jon Katz' blog ~ Izzy was a wonderful companion, not much drama there.
December 6, 2024
What this book IS NOT:
A story about Izzy, who barely features in the book.
What this book IS:
A picture of life on the author's farm and the surrounding community, painted through random stories about the people and animals, and mixed with the author's musings.
Given I was expecting a story about Izzy, most of the book read as filler and was rather repetitive. Could be an easy, comfort read if you know what to expect. Some of the descriptions of the creatures were delightful.
A story about Izzy, who barely features in the book.
What this book IS:
A picture of life on the author's farm and the surrounding community, painted through random stories about the people and animals, and mixed with the author's musings.
Given I was expecting a story about Izzy, most of the book read as filler and was rather repetitive. Could be an easy, comfort read if you know what to expect. Some of the descriptions of the creatures were delightful.
December 16, 2018
I liked it, but it wasn't so much about the dog, more about life on the farm. Good though!
December 17, 2019
Good read, enjoyed reading about your devotion to your family animals and farm
July 4, 2020
A solid memoir. I enjoy reading these stories but they are a little repetitive.
September 24, 2010
Izzy reminds me alot of orson
March 6, 2011
Love loved this book
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews