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A Big Little Life:  A Memoir of a Joyful Dog
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Non-Fiction Koontz > A Big Little Life (Group Read - April 2020)

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message 1: by Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado (last edited Mar 01, 2020 08:56AM) (new) - rated it 5 stars

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl (dustpancrazy) | 6122 comments Mod
"In each little life we can see great truth and beauty, and in each little life we glimpse the way of all things in the universe."

In this memoir, published more than a decade ago, Dean opens up about the impact of Trixie and about his writing. This is a unique glimpse into the Koontz home life.

A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog will be featured as a group read during the month of April. We hope you'll consider reading or revisiting this Dean Koontz non-fiction book with us this Spring.


Mary (broomemarygmailcom) | 378 comments ooo, ooo!


message 3: by Charissa (new)

Charissa Wilkinson (lilmizflashythang) | 272 comments Never read this one.


message 4: by Nathan (new)

Nathan  GOD LOVES YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU (nathan1981) | 5 comments Haven't ever read this one before either!


Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl (dustpancrazy) | 6122 comments Mod
April is nearly here. Looking forward to re-reading A Big Little Life!


Mary (broomemarygmailcom) | 378 comments Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "April is nearly here. Looking forward to re-reading A Big Little Life!"

Me too! I am excited to read a happy book. They sometimes seem few and far between. Thanks for sticking with it Dustin.


Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl (dustpancrazy) | 6122 comments Mod
I'll likely start re-reading A Big Little Life this weekend.
If the timing works out, I could have as many as 7 Koontz titles going at once, although I'm nearly finished with One Door Away From Heaven. I've been trying to catch up with recent Group Read titles I missed or fell behind with. I'm also throwing The Eyes of Darkness since it's been related to current events and mentioned so much on social media.


Angelique | 34 comments Just started reading this for the first time. I’m the proud momma of three goldens (two have passed) and I’m so in love with this book. Also enjoying learning about his life! Glad to be reading along!


Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl (dustpancrazy) | 6122 comments Mod
Angelique wrote: "Just started reading this for the first time. I’m the proud momma of three goldens (two have passed) and I’m so in love with this book. Also enjoying learning about his life! Glad to be reading along!"

I'm surprised you waited so long, but glad that now is your time to experience this remarkable, insightful book.

Golden Retrievers have such a great temperament. My dentist has had pairs of Goldens in their office for years. I've been going to this dentist for ten years. The first pair passed away within weeks of each other. My two current dental greeters and therapy dogs are Rowdy and Amber. Because I've had to have so many dental procedures over the years - they know me well. Amber makes a noise when I walk through the door, that she only makes for select visitors. I get on the floor and rub their bellies, scratch beneath their collars and throw their toys across the waiting room. They hold my hand while I'm in the dental chair.

Of note, my dentist also now has Chihuahuas. During my last dental visit. A chihuahua jumped on my lap while I was in the dental chair and stayed there during the procedure.


Angelique | 34 comments Just finished it. Absolutely loved it and can relate to the awe that these smart Goldens inspire in us. Even though I knew how it would end, it still was tough to read.


Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl (dustpancrazy) | 6122 comments Mod
Thanks Angelique :-)

I haven't started my re-read yet. I'll be there soon.


Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl (dustpancrazy) | 6122 comments Mod
Finished reading A Big Little Life yesterday. There are several emotional recountings. When Dean was talking about his and Gerda's connections to Canine Companions for Independence, that really got me. The Dean, Gerda and Trixie Koontz Campus :
https://www.cci.org/locations/southwest/


message 13: by Mary (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mary (broomemarygmailcom) | 378 comments Wow, Dustin, I can't believe this was 10 years ago!
Anyway, on my second (or third or fourth) read I can still say that I loved this book. I think it will always be one of my favorites. The relationship with Trixie, his dog, is a beautiful one. I have always loved dogs and have pretty much always had one but probably 12-15 years ago I lost 5 family members (all separately) in a 10 month period. My depression was a black hole My whole life just came to a grinding halt, literally. A friend gave me $100 and got me to the humane society to "adopt" a dog. Instant connection and back to life, not immediately, but my dog became my best friend...at my side every minute of every day. He is still with me and still my buddy. He actually "adopted" me! So, this book hit home for me.

I liked reading about his other companion, Gerta--special woman.

This time I noticed more how Koontz is very much like one of those parents who shows every new picture, of which there are many, every time you meet. His child/dog is also the most brilliant in the class and way above their age group in every skill. :-)
I say this with love for him and I enjoyed this book very much as i did the first time which is a lot!

Not a typical Koontz book so I hope others enjoy it too.


Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl (dustpancrazy) | 6122 comments Mod
Mary wrote: "This time I noticed more how Koontz is very much like one of those parents who shows every new picture, of which there are many, every time you meet. His child/dog is also the most brilliant in the class and way above their age group in every skill. :-)
I say this with love for him and I enjoyed this book very much as i did the first time which is a lot!"


Do you receive Dean's Useless News? He sends this newsletter out a few times each year with news from Koontzland and I swear half of Useless News is pictures of his current Golden Retriever. First it was Trixie, then Anna and now Elsa.


message 15: by Christine (new) - added it

Christine | 17 comments I receive it and read it. Yes, lots of pictures of the dogs with very funny captions. But; also great news on his current doings too. It's a fun read I think and I enjoy getting it. What other Authors take the time to do this? In print? I know that they do them via Email but I do not know of any others who pays to have folks read their Newsletters.


Susan Beamon (susanbeamon) | 71 comments Finally finished the book. Yes, I'm a little behind in my reading. Lots of books. What a problem to have1 Can say I liked the book. I remember reading Trixie's "entries" on Dean's newsletter back in the day. I will be picking up Mask tonight.


Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl (dustpancrazy) | 6122 comments Mod
Thanks for sticking with it Susan! I was behind for quite a while, but now I'm all caught up - Well, gotta read Strangers and Devoted this month.


message 18: by Mary (last edited May 09, 2020 06:13PM) (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mary (broomemarygmailcom) | 378 comments Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Mary wrote: "This time I noticed more how Koontz is very much like one of those parents who shows every new picture, of which there are many, every time you meet. His child/dog is also the most bri..."

I'll have to sign up for useless news again. Thanks for reminding me of it. I used to get a few giggles from it.


Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl (dustpancrazy) | 6122 comments Mod
I'm glad Dean's still keepin' it old school and sending out Useless News :-)


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