Photo: Maria Wulf
the inner dog
Jon Katz and Rose
urban dog s
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uthor and photographer Jon Katz has written twenty books—seven novels and thirteen works of nonfiction—including Soul of a Dog, Izzy & Lenore, Dog Days, A Good Dog, and The Dogs of Bedlam Farm. He has written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Slate, Rolling Stone, Wired, and the AKC Gazette. He has worked for CBS News, The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, and The Philadelphia Inquirer. Katz is also the author of a children’s book, Meet the Dogs of Bedlam Farm. He lives on Bedlam Farm in upstate New York with his wife, the artist Maria Wulf; his dogs, Rose, Izzy, Lenore, and Frieda; and his barn cats, Mother and Minnie; his donkey’s Lulu, Fanny, and Simon; hens; a rooster; and a flock of sheep.
She would run faster than a chipmunk, so fast she could run alongside the deer and fly through the woods.
We thank Jon and Rose for taking the time to answer our Inner Dog Questionnaire.
What is her greatest accomplishment? Finding the skunk, cornering it underneath the car, getting everyone to shout and scream.
What is her idea of perfect happiness Lying in front of the wood stove, after supper, dreaming of rabbits and chipmunks in their burrows. What is her favorite treat? The things sheep and donkeys leave behind; nothing tastier, nothing sweeter. If she could change one thing about herself, what would it be?
What is her most treasured possession? An old leather shoe, which she keeps hidden beneath the bed, off in a corner where it will get dirty, smelly, never be found, and can be forever chewed and nuzzled with. What is her most endearing quality? Looking into people’s eyes, very wide and connecting. Getting fed. Assuming there is such a thing as reincarnation, what or who might she have been in a former life? Oh, for sure, a wolf. The King. The Mother and Father. Is there anything that embarrasses her? People speaking in those high voices. Calling her a “furbaby.” What is it that she dislikes most? Noise she can’t see or smell. What is her greatest fear? Light in the sky, noise in the air.
What is her favorite place? That wood stove I mentioned. What does she really like in other dogs? Smells on their butts. Does she have a motto? Food is good. More food is better.