Paws and Reflect: Exploring the Bond Between Gay Men and Their Dogs

by Neil S. Plakcy and Sharon Sakson

Book Overview

Through interviews and original contributions from published gay authors, Paws and Reflect explores and celebrates the special and powerful bond between a gay man and his dog. Over 25 stories of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1555839576
• ISBN13: 9781555839574
• Release Date: November 2006
• Publisher: Alyson Books
• Length: 273 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.1" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Don't miss this one!!!

I am a dog person, so maybe I'm biased, but this is a fantastic read. I didn't stop until I had read the whole book from the first page to the last. This book made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me miss my dogs that are long gone, and appreciate my current fur-people family even more. I was so moved that I bought more copies to give as gifts, and they were very well recieved. If you like dogs, or just enjoy reading about real people situations, you will enjoy it too!

If you're interested in people OR dogs, you'll love this

Although I'm a "dog" person, I don't like or read "doggy" fiction for the most part because, in general, I find that real life is almost always much more interesting than anything anybody could make up. So when a great entertaining book of NON-fiction dog-related stories comes out, it's cause for celebration. The things that happen to people and the lives they live, both in the grand sweep and the little detail, are fascinating -- especially in the hands of a master storyteller and a top-notch reporter like Plakcy and Sakson. The fact that this book is also about dogs is just the icing on the cake for dog lovers. Alternately funny and touching (in the sense of touching the emotions -- not in the sense of sad or weepy) each story is like opening a little present. Read this book and you won't think about people OR dogs in exactly the same way again!

A Wonderful Read...and I'm a Cat Person!

In the interest of full disclosure, let me first say that you can't trust my review in the least. I know two of the writers featured in this collection, Jeff Ricker and Michael Wallerstein. They are great people. Their dogs, Dakota and Bonnie, are great people too. And yes, Dakota really is that big, and Bonnie really is that deaf. The stories are well and thoughtfully written. Even if you're not a dog person, there is something in this collection for you. These stories aren't so much about dogs; they're about the people who love them. Whether blending a household, learning sign language, or getting a little red cart for nightly walks, this book is really just about the things you find yourself doing when you love something, and the ways you're willing to adapt to make room for something in your life. Even a cat enthusiast can find something to appreciate in that.

It's a Keeper

Some of us have dogs because we loooovvve them. Some of us have dogs because they literally, figuratively or allegedly followed us or a family member home. If you have a dog, have ever had a dog or can't figure out why on earth those of us who do have dogs have them, read this book! If you "get" the dog thing, you'll love it. And if you don't get the dog thing, at least you may quit looking at the rest of us oddly. Paws and Reflect is about more than dogs, it's about life---but the fact that dogs are at the center of all the stories makes it can't-put-down reading for those of us who love them. The book is one of those that shows us our "same-nesses" rather than our differences. Some of the people whose stories are included are well-known, some are not. [...]But if you've ever seen a dog interact with a human, these stories will touch you and make you look at your fellow creatures in a different light.

WHAT A FABULOUS BOOK!

One of the best books of dogs and humans ever! It is so touching. Some of the stories are sweet, and some are sad, but probably my favorite ones are the really funny ones. It's so funny to read Edward Albee talking about the dogs who chased him down the street when he was a Western Union telegram boy. The story where the guy says the dog outed him is hilarious-- and the dog is so brave. the story about the man who had to train his friend's Dachshund not to pee is hysterical -- maybe this is how we should be training our dogs! It's just a great book about people and their dogs. I read all the stories, and I think I will probably read all of them over again a few times more. then keep the book on the shelf and read it again next year.