b'books, movies & musicOur reviews on books, movies and music about dogs.In the very first issue of The New Barker, our first book what was going to happen. review was A Good Dog by Jon Katz. That was back in 2006. The In The Second Chance Dog, Katz finds himself, once again,book was about Orson, a Border Collie whom Katz credits with faced with a dog that is out of control around other people,changing his life by causing him to take up sheep-herding, mov- except his loving human - a woman extricating herself from aning to Bedlam Farm and writing books about dogs. Over the abusive relationship. The book was written in 2007, when Katzcourse of their lives together, it became very apparent to Katz was 61 years-old. As his marriage of 35 years was ending, he suf-that Orson was a troubled dog. He tried in vain to figure out fered through a breakdown, financial troubles and uncertaintyandmanageOrsonspersonality about his future, including writing. quirks,spendingnearly$15,000 During this time, he met Maria Wulf, an artist in search ofover a two-year period on behav- rekindling her own creative spark. The two connected immedi-iorists,tests,neurologicalexams, ately during their first meeting, talking about everything, jump-veterinaryexaminations,medica- ing with ease from one subject to another.tions,holisticpractitioners,psy- But Frieda, Marias dog, was overly protective and mistrust-chics and shamans.ing of men. The Rottweiler-Shepherd mix had been abandonedOrsonescaped,charged in the Adirondacks and lived for some time on her own in thepeople and for no reason, nipped wilderness. She roared and charged at almost anyone who cameat and bit a half dozen or so peo- near her and Maria.Jon could see how nervous Frieda was. Theple, two seriously. I rationalized panting, the eyes shifting back and forth, the squirming aroundeach bite, wrote Katz in a blog. and growling. Even then, on that first day, when I was blind toPeople approached him fool- somuch,Friedaseemedtosensesomethingwashappeningishly; it was hot; he was excited (between Jon and Maria), writes Katz.or confused. It wasnt his fault. Jon realized that if his relationship with Maria was to moveOurhubrissayswecanfix forward, he would have to first gain the trust of Frieda. Mariathemall. Therealityofthe would never abandon her dog for a human, no matter howworld says otherwise. We are arrogant. strong the connection was.When an eight-year-old boy came by the farm on his bicy- As a great lover of dogs, Joncle, Katz remembers every last detail of the afternoon.does not think like an ordinarydog lover. He agrees that dogsMaria and Frieda had connected on a very emotional areamazingandwonderfullevel, each protecting the other, each feeling safe and creaturesandthattheygivegrounded with the other. Those are the most powerful unconditionallovetotheirhumans. They have the ability tokinds of human-dog relationships. open us up, connect us to theAlso the most confusing. outside world and make us feelAn excerpt from The Second Chance Dog by Jon Katz. better. But I believe perspectivePublished by Ballantine Books 2013 - www.BedlamFarm.com is important and that many peo-Jon Katz with his wife, Maria ple who love dogs are in dangerWulf and their dog, Frieda.Orsonwaslyinginthegarden,behindthenewand of losing it, writes Jon.tougher and supposedly escape-proof fence I had installed. Halfway through the book, Jon is able to do somethingThe boy leaned over to pet him and Orson leaped up over a many of us who have adopted a dog are unable to do. Throughthick bush and bit him deeply on the neck, just below the chin. research and interviews, he finds out Friedas compelling backThe boy was stunned, he had this disbelieving look onhis face, story, which involved a child. In Friedas neglected consciousnessand I saw the blood spurt from his neck three or four feet into wasthenotionofatrustworthyhumanbeing,keepingthatthe air, spreading down his shirt, all the way to his belly. instinct of trust alive. It was through this thin thread of hope thatThe boy began to scream. Jon was able to finally connect with the dog.It is not something I will ever forget when I think of that Perhaps in Frieda,its not the dog who is getting the sec-dog. A volunteer firefighter was driving by in his truck and saw ond chance. Many of Jons critics believe he gave up on Orson.the blood and pulled over and gave the boy a tourniquet and Jon says he has never needed the approval or acceptance of otherperhaps saved his life. I sat next to Orson and cried, as he shook people. But maybe, in the back of his mind, he rationalized thatand put his head on my lap. It was one of the very first and most hewouldntevergiveuponanotherdog.Ablossomingpowerful steps in my work communicating with animals. I think romance between a man and a woman is the impetus for help-Orson and I realized at the same moment what had to happen, ing to save the life of a dog. Love is a powerful tool.Anna Cooke44 THE NEW BARKER www.TheNewBarker.com'