One thing I didn’t mention in the Goodreads version of this review is how much pets are on my mind right now as I have a 13 year old cat with some health issues right now. We have had to put one cat to sleep for congestive heart failure and one died on us because the vet (not our vet now) didn’t catch that he had cancer. Making the decision with a life is difficult and I do appreciate how Doty speaks about being stewards of both ends of our pets lives.
Dog Years by Mark Doty
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the first piece of non-fiction that I’ve read by Mark Doty, but I was already familiar with his poetry. This memoir – of course – has a very poetic feel to it which is a good skill to have when reflecting on loss through the passing of pets and partners. Doty risks sentimentality and, I think, largely succeeds at being open without being overly sappy about doing with grief at those who pass on before us.
This was another book I read via my Kindle and it read well that way. The chapters are short enough to make reading the book in spurts effective and enjoyable even given the somewhat sad subject matter.
Definitely worth a read, especially for anyone who wishes to empathize/share in reflecting on loss and recovery.
Sounds like a beautiful book. I love his poetry already so now I want to read this! Thanks for sharing.
Thinking of you and your family. Sorry to hear about your cats.
It is a very beautifully written.
The two cats who passed went a while ago but I’m hoping old 13 can make it a bit longer. He has pancreatitis. Poor sweetie. He loves all the extra tuna he gets though
The book does sound, Jessie. Thanks for the review! Listening to you share about your kitties. . . .what do they have you do about the pancreatitis? We have a 17 year old who is just so thin.
ooops “does sound good”.
Yeah the vet said the thinness, with our cat, was because he was starting to waste a way a bit and his body was using his muscle for fuel instead of fat so that’s why we are giving him only wet food now although the dry food is out should he ever want some (not likely!) We are also giving him an anti-inflammatory pill every few days and once a week we have a B-12 shot. The meds weren’t as expensive as I thought they might be so we don’t mind doing a little bit to keep him comfortable. He has to go back soon for a month month check to see if he has gained weight. If he hasn’t gained any weight then not sure what the next step will be.
17 years is amazing!
Thank you for sharing Jessie! I’m going to take her in and see if there is something more we can do. She’s such a trooper and sweetie. Just don’t want her to suffer. I think she was misdiagnosed before . ..let’s hope this goes better!
I’ll be thinking about you and the kitty. It is never easier when they get older, but I’m with you in that I don’t want to see them suffer!