Chet's story deserves a full book
587773
Why, why, why a novella? I honestly think that Chester Peyton deserves a full story.  Chet has been the most interesting character in this series.  I like him so much I want to read more about him instead I got the abridged version of his love story.  I felt like it was rushed.  Very disappointing.

I gave this a 3-star because I did like the story. Although, it could have been better.
1341797
A great short story.!! Enjoyed fading a missing piece of the beginning days of Chet & Bernie & Iggy :)
3587576
This hardcover coffee table book tells the story of 15 veterans and the service dogs who rescued them. Youll appreciate this book if, like me, you think every nonfiction book about dogs should include dozens of color photos.

In addition to poignant stories of veterans and their dogs, Libby describes (and photographs) prison puppy programs, the history of therapy dogs, and rescue and breeding programs that provide dogs to veterans.
528800
I liked reading stories about animals and that's why this one caught my eye ... it was written by actor Vincent Price (1911 - 1993) about his then 14-year-old dog, Joe, and was originally published in 1961 (it's been recently updated with an intro by actor Bill Hader and a preface by Price's daughter, Victoria).

Price was an animal lover and tells about all the animals he'd had in his life including Albert, a Siamese cat he adopted while living in London; his son's two LOUD roosters; Prudence, his second wife's poodle; and more.  The focus of the book is Joe, a mutt he adopted from a pet store over the Christmas holidays.

He got Joe during a down period in his life.  He had stated that when women are down, they "buy new hats and perfume".  When men are down, they "get a haircut, blow themselves to a shampoo, face and scalp massage, and manicure".  Some people get drunk.  Others go off on a trip.  Art and animals always cheered him up.  His first marriage had just broken up; his wife, son and their family dog had moved out; it was Christmas; and his other dog had gotten hit by a car and died.  Joe became a very special dog to him.

There are illustrations throughout the book by Leo Hershfield.

In line at the pet shop where Price found Joe.  Source

There's Joe!  Source

Source

Source

Price at one point had to go to court to defend Joe was he was sued for $13,000 (about $220,000 in today's dollars) by a plastered plasterer who charged that Joe ran out in front of his bike, causing him to fall and get hurt (Price won).

Given that it was written more than 50 years ago, the writing style is different ... it's more formal and alliterative, yet funny at times.  For example, Price said that he was a quick eater and describes himself as a "fast finisher of food".  He described himself one time as "blurred by beer".  He used words such as "nomenclature" and "umbrage".

Having a dog and cat in the 1950s and 1960s was different than it is today.  Price had a doggy door which Joe would go in and out of.  It wouldn't be unusual for Joe to disappear for up to four days when he was in search of female dogs in heat.  And it doesn't sound like anyone neutered their dogs.  When we meet Joe, he is fourteen-years-old and unneutered.  The Prices had friends who lived nearby and Joe impregnated their dog not once but twice, producing 16 pups in total ... no one seemed bothered about it.

The Vincent Price Family Legacy will donate a portion of the proceeds from this book to the Fund for Animals.

Blog review post:  [...]
2774653
I have had this story before in several pieces but Mr. Cutler ties it all together with more information that I hadn't heard. It is a fair appraisal of the controversial Colonel who was a mixed bag of good and evil. This book tells the story of a human being who achieved lasting fame and infamy for his actions in a frontier, with dynamics never faced before or since. One wonders if the War Between the States might have been shortened if Wright had received a command. I drive by Horse Slaughter Camp almost every day and try to picture how it must have been then. Donald Cutler has given me a clearer window on the past.
3391390
Yorkshire veterinarian James Alfred Wight, better known to his readers as James Herriot, long delighted animal lovers of all ages with his heartwarming stories of his most interesting, inspiring, and sometimes simply mysterious cases. I grew up reading about and falling in love with the dogs, cats, horses, and numerous other animals he treated and immortalized in writing. He had a knack for storytelling that makes his tales lively, engaging, and easy to follow. Many mourned his passing in 1995, at the age of 78.
This short collection of stories concerns Herriot's favorite animal, the cat. In his introduction, he reminisces on his choice to become a vet, inspired by his love for cats, and how he soon found that, at the time, there were very few veterinary texts on the species and few veterinarians that practiced on them. Cats were only beginning to be treated as pets and companions rather than simply a replaceable implement to catch barn mice. This, of course, changed over the course of Herriot's career, and though he primarily treated livestock animals he was often called upon to tend to the village's feline population as well.
The stories here are some of the cream of the crop of Herriot's writing. First we meet Alfred, the large tom who was a daily fixture in the Yorkshire village's most successful confectionery, and then Oscar, the remarkable cat that attended all manner of meetings and social gatherings in town. Next we are introduced to Boris, an ornery and strong-willed individual who isn't afraid to give Mr. Herriot a piece of his mind.
The fourth story brings us to Olly and Ginny, two stray siblings that adopt Herriot and his wife, and actually appear in three of the book's stories. Spaced throughout the book, they actually take on a status as a sort of centerpiece. Undeniably feral, the two are stricly outdoor cats, and it's all Herriot can do to trick them into allowing his occasional veterinary ministations. And they, Olly in particular, clearly express their displeasure. They won't let the well-meaning vet anywhere near them if they can help it. Herriot makes it his mission to win them over, and takes over the job of feeding them every morning in hopes of gaining their trust and respect. He finally manages to befriend Olly, briefly, before tragedy strikes. Happily though, a sad loss leads the vet to share an even closer bond with Olly's sister, Ginny.
The other stories concern Emily, the beloved companion of a kindly, solitary man; Moses, a tiny black kitten found among the rushes one icy winter day, and who is ultimately adopted by the strangest of surrogate mothers, a laid-back and accepting sow; Frisk, the cat who has mysterious, recurring, rapidly-developing episodes of coma that vanish almost as quickly as they happen; and finally Buster, the Christmas Day gift from a dying mother who delights his new owner amazing dog-like antics.
With ten heatwarming feline tales (or tails, if you prefer), this book is a sure winner for any cat lover. If you're already familiar with Herriot's work, you won't be disappointed (you may even have come across a couple of these stories before), and if he is a new author to you, you may very well go on to seek out his other books. My one teensy-tiny criticism is the the editting could have been just a little bit better. It wouldn't even really be a problem except for the fact that, in one story, a cat is once inexplicably referred to with the wrong name. Other than this the book is perfect. The illustrations are beautiful and the stories delightful. A perfect read for a cozy evening by the fireside.
And if you like this, I recommend his other short-story anthologies: "All Thing Bright and Beautiful," "All Creatures Great and Small," "All Things Wise and Wonderful," "The Lord God Made Them All," and "Every Living Thing" (these titles are based on a poem with the same title as the last book), as well as "James Herriot's Dog Stories." He also wrote a variety of very nice short children's books.
4175162
I've been reading books about military dogs lately and I've read some pretty good ones. This book tells a great story and the author's words strike me as being very honest. What happened to most of the dogs in Vietnam was an inexplicable tragedy. Proceeds form this book go the War Dog Foundation (or something like that, I don't have the book with me at the moment). Oddly enough, the text was not proof read. There are spelling mistakes and grammar issues, but the story is phenomenal. It would make a great movie (as long as Hollywood wasn't involved). Well worth the read.
97816
I like to read books about musicians, mostly jazz musicians. As someone who used to play the trumpet, I naturally gravitate toward trumpet players and Chet Baker has always been one of my favorites. When he plays, you can hear his soul coming through the bell of his horn.
  I believe that I have read all the books written about Chet. They are usually written by people who never actually met him. The books are a compilation of interviews from people who knew him and jazz musicians who performed with him. And, of course, they all had to stress the drug aspect.
  Believe me when I tell you that, in that respect Mr. Frank's book is like a breath of fresh air.
  First of all, since Mr. Frank knew Chet Baker and performed with him for years, you are getting a first-hand account of Mr. Baker, not second-hand opinions. Plus, Mr. Frank tells about Chet's sensitive nature and his many acts of kindness, which no one else knew about.
  Mr. Frank first heard Chet's musici n 1954 over Armed Forces Radio. He made up his mind that someday, somehow, he would meet this talented trumpet player and perform with him, since Mr. Frank is a professional drummer.
  He didn't meet Chet until years later, after Chet was savagely beaten, knocking out his front teeth and ending his trum-
pet playing days forever.. Or so he thought.
  Mr. Frank made up his mind, after that first meeting, to do everything humanly possible to get Chet back on top, playing his trumpet again.
  But, first he had to gain Chet's trust. This was not an easy task, since Chet was used to people befriending him, simply to get something out of him.
  Mr. Frank wanted nothing from Chet. His only thoughts were looking for ways to help him.
  This book describes his journey.
  Giving this book 5 stars doesn't do it justice. I would gladly give it 10 stars, if I could.
  If you want to read about the real Chet Baker, this is the book for you.
3707339
The incident that caused Chet not to graduate from K9 school is finally revealed.  Some things just suck Chet in and we wouldn't want to change a member of the nation within the nation.
1260631
I read this a few month ago, and being a Chris Coleman fan I was excited. The storyline was interesting and the characters were realistic and interesting. I wish this story was developed into a full novel so all of the questions I had would be answered. The story ended somewhat abruptly and on a weird angle but I'm not at all upset that I took the time to read it. Please read it as well!
4931600
While Dog On It is a mystery, it's really a story about Chet, the dog sidekick of Bernie the private detective. It's told by Chet the dog, and that's the fun part of this novel. It's a sweet, funny, heart-warming story about a man and his dog, and secondarily about the missing person mystery. I listened to the audio-book. The reader was very good. I think that you probably have to be a dog lover to enjoy this book. I am one, and I enjoyed the novel.
1339847
The only difference between this book and Herriot's others is that he has to cover more ground. He's flitting back and forth between his World War II experiences in the RAF and more of his experiences in the Yorkshire countryside with his beloved farm animals and some domestic animals. This made for a very complete autobiography. I found the story of his first solo flight to be very interesting. I think that there seem to be more people stories in this one than in the others, and some of them are sad, poignant stories.

I think I have become addicted to Herriot's style of writing in his other books where he will provide us with stories of his day-to-day experiences with the animals and their owners. The effect is more immediate--he tells how the phone awakens him in the night and every detail of what happens when he reaches the side of the animal who is in labor or in pain or distress of some sort. Never what you would call a true animal lover, I have found that these stories put me in another place--they make me feel compassion for the animals (and their owners). Whereas, in this book he will tell rather typical military stories and then write that he is reminded of the time when he had to go out to a farm and nurse a certain animal back to health. We still get many of the stories which we have learned to crave from our warm and compassionate veterinarian, but the effect isn't as focused. It's still a very good book, but I will say that there were times when his people stories, whether military or civilian, dragged a little for me. I'd find myself eager to return to his animal world. This is where he shines--when describing both the farm animals and the domestic animals whom he treated and, in many cases, learned to love.

I'm very glad that I read this book. I learned more about his multi-faceted life (it was good to get to know his wife better too). I highly recommend the book. Who knew that I, a 66-year-old lady who has kept her distance from animals her whole life, would become so addicted to Herriot's charming animal stories. In a way they read like a series of short mystery stories. The reader, instead of trying to figure out the perpetrator of a crime, is trying to figure out with Herriot, the cause of an animal's health problem. His books make for fascinating reading, and I'm proof that one doesn't have to be a lifelong animal lover to love these books.
4185530
Chet is so real I forgot he was a dog. The team of Bernie and Chet is unstoppable. Great book and concept. The mystery kept me involved and wanting more Chet and Bernie stories.
2984764
Love reading these stories from Chet's point of view.
Harrowing adventures in this one and I was amazed he could swim for that many hours.  Wonder if dogs really have been recorded doing that or if it was all fiction?  Nice to take a trip to the bayou where almost everyone was a bit off center.
Thanks for zinging off shore drilling.  Chet didn't see the half of what destruction it brings.
659165
This  story represents one third of what was written in The Twilight Zone: Complete Stories. I happen to have a copy at home. If the stories had all been put together the file size would be way over 1000 kilobytes of information. My very favorite story that I love to read again and again is A Stop at Willoughby. This story represents how a man who hates his job as an advertising director and wants his life simplified dreams of a little town called Willoughby. The people like him and know his name. He gets disgusted with his job and his wife won't support him so he falls off a train, leaves his body behind to live in Willoughby. This same story plays out on a video episode of The Twilight Zone if you are interested in watching it.
1320950
This book is about a washed-up boxer, narrated by his long-time newspaper reporter friend. We learn about their lives separately and together.
 The story moved a little too slowly for me, and there was not a lot of substance.  The author goes back and forth between his narrative and the fictitious book written by Hugo.  I personally didn't think Hugo's book added much to the storyline. Still, this is a well written book. The author's mastery of the written word grabbed me repeatedly. At one point the narrator looked at his face in the mirror and saw "the valleys cut into it by the dribbling out of time".  I love that kind of prose because I'll remember it for a long time.
I absolutely loved Lancaster's two books about Edward, and will continue reading everything he writes.
83349
Being familiar with several of Urbigkit's books for children, I was very curious what she'd have to say in a book for adults. A lot, it turns out. I found Shepherds of Coyote Rocks to be fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable, but it went well beyond that. I caught myself hoping fervently as I read that policy-makers--the folks whose decisions have long-term ramifications for land and people they may never see or meet--will also read it. I believe we all need the reminder that those expanses of rangeland which seem so dry and desolate from the sky as we fly over them to reach more interesting destinations may be as integral to our nation's agriculture and to our national story as the sprawling cornfields of the Midwest, if not more so.

Probably what I most admire about this book is how Urbigkit weaves the story of her guardian dogs and sheep into the larger story of the public and private lands they inhabit. The balance of these two stories in her book reflects the essential balance of which she writes: the balance between human needs and wild needs, and how those two stories really are--or should be--one seamless story.

I was thrilled by the constant interplay of sweetness and grandeur in this book, like the sweet affection of the guardian dogs for their woolly charges and Cat's obvious love of both contrasted with the brave nobility of the dogs in the face of predators and the vast splendor of the landscape. I loved coming upon instances of her quirky humor, including descriptions of how she addressed potty needs on the open range, her unhappy encounter with a guardian dog's fleas, and the day she saw an apparently-eight-legged killdeer hen.

Shepherds of Coyote Rocks kept reminding me of two other books I've read and re-read. Urbigkit's first-hand account of her season alone on the range and the rich descriptions of a wide-open western landscape often made me think of Edward Abbey's "Desert Solitaire," except a little less solitary and without Abbey's cynicism. The book also reminded me of Aldo Leopold's "A Sand County Almanac" because of Cat's patient observations of the landscape and its flora and fauna over the seasons. Plus, as I did when I read both "Desert Solitaire" and "Sand County Almanac," I found myself dog-earing many pages containing quotable lines or key sections I know I'll want to refer to again and again.

All in all, I completely agree with the previous reviewer who points out that this book has much to offer a variety of interests. Readers with an interest in dog behavior, environmental issues, the interaction between humans and the land, agriculture, or natural history will all find this to be an engrossing and informative read. This will be one of those books I recommend to others while being loath to loan out my own copy, lest I lose it!