Izzy and Lenore

By: Jon Katz

Narrated by: Tom Stechschulte

Length: 5 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Jon Katz is the New York Times best-selling author of numerous nonfiction tales of man's best friend. Here he presents the story of two dogs that profoundly affected his life and work. Skittish border collie Izzy pushes him into rewarding work with Hospice. And black lab Lenore's gentle spirit helps remind him why he wanted to work with animals in the first place.

©2008 Jon Katz (P)2008 Recorded Books, LLC

No way to go wrong in story about dogs and hospice

As a dog lover and supporter of the incredible work performed by hospice folks I knew this book was a no-risk listen. Didn't think it was particularly well written and I never really connected with Jon. Thank goodness for Izzy and Lenore. Izzy went from rags to riches in spirit and was almost too good to be true. Lenore was a lovable Lab who proved near the end of the listen that she possessed more than simple puppy love. The book provides some insights into hospice care and was well worth the listen.

Jon Katz at his best for dog lovers!

I really enjoyed listening to this book. Is true and more serious than most books I read. I truly loved it. Dogs have so much to give people.

Another great book by Jon Katz

I can't get enough of Jon Katz's books. I have border collies and love reading about them. Jon's honest depiction of them and himself is refreshing. Thanks Jon for your honesty and sharing your life with us. I am enjoying it. Getting ready to buy my next book

Sweet Izzy, Lenore and Pearl!!

Reread this book this book 3 times. What a heart warming story of unconditional love.

Loved this book.

I wanted to read this book because a good friend was in the ICU for five weeks and I was interested in the part of the book about hospice care. I'm also considering getting a dog this year, as I'll be moving to the country.

I really loved the parts of this book about the dogs and essentially the redemption of both the man and dog through their relationship (Izzy). The fact that he then turns into a therapy dog with amazing healing abilities is a part of the boook I have told many friends about.

His farm and relationship with his variety of animals keeps you reading the book too. Read it.

This is my first Jon Katz book and I immediately went to the library and read another in two days: Dog Year.

Searching, Learning, Healing

The simplicity with which dogs love and accept us is one of the most amazing and healing gifts that we humans will ever encounter. I can't begin to tell you how this audio book by Jon Katz blessed me. The narration is perfect, soothing, calming, gentle . . . like a pup nuzzling up to you in the night. The story of Izzy, the border collie left wild in the fields to his own devices, with no one to call his own, abandoned by his owners . . . then adopted by Jon and joining him and the animals on his farm, learning to be a hospice dog . . . well, it is a story of healing, for Izzy, for the hospice patients, and for Jon . . . I think what I appreciated most of all is the honesty with which this story is written . . . the story of the valleys that all people encounter, whether in middle age or not, the ghosts of our pasts, which pop out of no where and suck the joy out of our lives, and threaten our future . . . the choice we all must make is to WALK THROUGH that valley and confront the ghosts . . . oh, and the comforts of having a pup to journey through it with us . . . a pup that never judges,never questions, just comes right along with us, come what may, until we come out whole on the other side.

Food for thought

Not what I expected but so worth the time. I hope there’s an Izzy around when it’s my turn to cross over, because I can’t manage dogs anymore but I sure miss everyone I ever had, and that was quite a few through the years. Here’s a big hug for both Izzy and Lenore!

I love stories about dogs!

What did you love best about Izzy and Lenore?

The author's recognition of his dogs' ability to feel compassion.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Izzy but he was nearly the main character. He had such a stark and wild background and his ability to overcome it made him an enchanting character.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

All of the touching hospice stories moved me, all of them. I shed many tears throughout this book but the author had a great ability to not allow me to dwell in those tears. He would take me down into sadness and then bring me right back up into a great perspective of the events that took place.

Tear jerker

Wonderful and beautiful book, loved it…. Will recommend it to everyone and I work in the Healthcare business.

For dog lovers

What did you love best about Izzy and Lenore?

I liked the stories about the dogs and the farm animals. I wasn't so keen on the hospice work, and the author spent a lot of time desribing the good qualities of dogs, to the point of distraction. I also got a tad sad there after a while. But it is reality-based and a good read if you love dogs.