Customer Rating:      Summary: Witless Comment: This is supposed to be a collection of the best witty stories about dogs. It's not even close. I am a sucker for dogs and have lived with rescue dogs since the 70's so I am a prime consumer if this book was actually what it was supposed to be. I defy anyone to find a humorous passage in any story in the book. The tales are drab and sodden. Worse many of them are stories by people who don't know how to take care of dogs. One is about a house full of college students who of course eventually go their own ways and leave the dog with someone's mom. This is a great way to make sure shelters remain overcrowded. Many of the stories have the dogs running loose. Another receipe for disaster. So the stories are worse than simply lacking in wit, they are tales of what not to do with your dog. Pitiful.
Customer Rating:      Summary: The best collection of dog anecdotes I've read Comment: The best collection of dog anecdotes I've read
Lord Byron was right about dogs possessing all of the human virtues without their corollary vices: beauty without vanity, intelligence without conceit, courage without ferocity and strength without insolence. We as a species are lucky that our canine quadruped friends, clearly superior beings, have anything at all to do with us bumbling, high-strung, self-important two-leggers. And you can add to Lord Byron's litany, humor without sarcasm. Yes, doggies do indeed have a sense of humor, not too terribly different from our own.
This is without doubt the best collection of dog anecdotes I've ever read, from the people who publish the wonderful "Bark" magazine (whose motto, by the way, is "Dog is my co-pilot").
While all of the stories in this delightful anthology are captivating, my personal favorites are John Glaser's "Better Than You," Margaret Cho's "Dog Whores" and "Strange Bedfellows" by the irrepressible Kinky Friedman.
No doubt, some 100 centuries ago when the first lupine proto-dogs got together and noted that - lacking opposable thumbs - they were most unlikely to evolve a technological civilization, a group decision was taken to hitch their wagon to the hominid star, thus ensuring a future of quality veterinary care, three squares a day and climate control. Not to mention, worshipful adoration!
Smart, very smart, critters these loveable mutts. Perhaps, uncounted eons hence, when they become the dominant species on the planet, they'll be publishing anthologies of "funny human" stories. I wouldn't be a bit surprised.
This is a wonderful book, howlingly funny, and I'd recommend it to any Dog person!
As the immortal Groucho Marx once said, "Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."
Customer Rating:      Summary: A Howlin' Good Read Comment: While I did not read "Bark", I very much enjoyed "Howl". It is a compilation of humorous animal stories from comedians, writers, actors, etc. Nice, easy (and very funny) reading!
Customer Rating:      Summary: Another sure-to-be bestseller from The Bark! Comment: The editors at the Bark sure do have an eye for the best dog writing out there. This collection was very very funny and would make a great christmas gifts for dog lovers who love a laugh. My favorite pieces were from Lee Harrington, Neal Pollack, and Kinky Friedman. The other anthology by The Bark, Dog is My Co-Pilot, was more soulful than this book. But this one is funnier! SO you need both. Let's hope they do more dog anthologies in the future!
Customer Rating:      Summary: Bark's Best yet for Man's best friend.... Comment: Howl is a terrific ode to Man's best friend...and a reminder that in this cold, dark world, a true friend can be found...Writer's from all around the country share warm and witty musings on their relationships with that one creature that gives and gives a "howl"...terrific, well done and a good read on the beach or before bed...M. Grasso Santa Monica, CA
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