Good Dog

Because you never forget the name of your first best friend

From California campouts
to Mississippi swims, a loyal dog was always within reach

A mother and a daughter form an unexpected bond over a spirited pup

While saying goodbye to a friend’s buoyant Boykin, a veterinarian reflects on the toughest part of his job

A skeptic’s look at just what makes a bad dog good

Sometimes the hardest part is not getting the dog

A wild and free mutt catches an inexplicable case of anxiety—one her owner can relate to

How a soulful pug named James Brown helped a writer regain his stride

An exuberant stray named Troy proves that sometimes the last thing you want is just the thing you need

How a stalwart black Lab guided a young man through the field and the flow of life

A spirited bird dog keeps a young couple afloat

A bold little spaniel with strange business of her own

A lovable mutt with no patience for life at home

He fought, stole, refused to listen, ruled the block, and had no shame—but he loved us

Celebrating a Brittany who was a delight in the field and a demon in the house

In a house full of women, a dad makes peace with a storm-damaged, man-hating mutt

Wherein a couple fall in love with a dog and out of love with each other

For an Oklahoma farm kid, a pup with a nose for turtles was a boy’s best friend

An artist reflects on the dogs that have found their way into his work—and heart

No matter how hard we try, some dogs just can’t be contained