> Skip to content
  • Published: 1 October 2013
  • ISBN: 9780345502674
  • Imprint: Random House US Group
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 256
  • RRP: $29.99

Dancing Dogs

Stories




Now in trade paperback, from the beloved author of A Dog Year and Going Home comes this warm and funny collection of dog-themed stories.

No one brings to life the remarkable bond between humans and their dogs like New York Times bestselling author Jon Katz. He has warmed our spirits with enchanting tales and keen observations of his animal menagerie—the dogs, sheep, chickens, and other residents of Bedlam Farm. Now, Katz is back with what he does best in his first collection of short stories, Dancing Dogs.

With his signature insight and gift for storytelling, Katz shares sixteen stories about one of life’s most unique relationships: In the title story, a housekeeper loses her job, but discovers her four-legged “children” have some toe-tapping talents that just may get the whole family back on its feet. In “Puppy Commando,” a shy grade-school outcast forges an instant connection with a beagle puppy she meets at a shelter—and risks everything to keep him. “Gracie’s Last Walk” features a woman who must find a way to say goodbye to her beloved golden retriever—but ends up saying hello to someone unexpected. “The Dog Who Kept Men Away” shows that not all humans pass the “sniff” test when it comes to canines, who possess an excellent judge of character. And in “Guardian Angel,” a widower going through a painful transition finds the greatest comfort in the unlikeliest of sources—a funny-looking pug named Gus.

Whether sitting, staying, and rolling over, in the barnyard, shelters, or home, sweet, home, the creatures in Dancing Dogs are genuinely inspiring and utterly memorable.

Praise for Dancing Dogs
 
“Funny, keenly observed short stories illuminating the bond between man and his best friend.”—People
 
“Jon Katz writes with passion and humor about the connections between animals and humans. . . . Animal lovers are sure to want to add this book to their collection.”—Examiner.com
 
“Katz’s stories, sometimes warm and sometimes funny, are smooth, light reads that are easy to pick up and enjoy and will appeal to dog lovers everywhere.”—Booklist
 
“Insightful, moving . . . a tissue-box-worthy collection of animal tales.”—Kirkus Reviews
 
“[A] heartwarming book.”—The Dallas Morning News

  • Published: 1 October 2013
  • ISBN: 9780345502674
  • Imprint: Random House US Group
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 256
  • RRP: $29.99

About the author

Jon Katz

Jon Katz has written for the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Rolling Stone, GQ and other magazines as well as having a regular column about dogs and rural life for online magazine Slate. He has written sixteen books, many of them about dogs, and co-hosts an awardwinning radio show Dog Talk. After the period of this book, he moved to a farm in upstate New York where he and his wife live together with their dogs, sheep, cows, donkeys, a barn cat and four chickens. His website is www.bedlamfarm.com.

Also by Jon Katz

See all

Praise for Dancing Dogs

  • "...Funny, keenly observed short stories illuminating the bond between man and his best friend."--People
  • "Katz's stories, sometimes warm and sometimes funny, are smooth, light reads that are easy to pick up and enjoy and will appeal to dog lovers everywhere."--Booklist
  • "For fans of man's best friend, a collection of insightful, moving and often unforgiving stories about dogs, cats and their people... A tissue-box-worthy collection of animal tales."--Kirkus
  • penguin pop image
    penguin pop image