Carol Prisant (1938–2021)

This poignant and sparse memoir is an absorbing read. A tale of marriage via the dogs the couple adopts, it is, at times, unsettling in the offhand way the dogs are treated, as if they are property to be obtained and given away, like unwanted furniture.

But, at times, it made me think of how my life would have been different with or without a pet. Would I have met him without that cat? Could I have moved there if I had not been tied down to a dog?

Ultimately, I think the writer makes mostly show more correct, if selfish, decisions, about the dogs she keeps. And, overall, dogs enrich and influence her life. show less

I just recently joined Library Things "Early Reviewers" program.
I thought it might be fun.
Well I got a book my first time choosing and what a perfect book it was for me!
Carol's story of her 42 year marriage and the 10 different dogs they had through the years sounded so much like my life!
I have only had 4 dogs and I hope I am a better chooser of breeds than she was at times. Her quick wit with the stories of her dogs made me chuckle out loud many times to where I was annoying my husband. show more Which leads me to her relationship with Millard, her high school sweetheart! It is so refreshing to read about a real couple. The things they loved and shared and the things they just put up with. Their love was deep and special and I am glad Carol chose to write about their life.
If you love dogs, fixing up houses, antiques and especially have a good long lasting marriage, I think this book will give you a few good evenings of pleasurable reading! show less

Some people have comfort foods—usually something not too healthy for the body but soothing to the 'inner child.' I have "comfort reads"—books that don't do much for my intellect but provide non-demanding interludes as I climb Mt. To-Be-Read. As a comfort read, Dog House: A Love Story by Carol Prisant is as good as they come—a soft cushion upon which to rest a tired psyche, a friendly package of canine devotional anecdotes, a humorous, warm tale of tails…sprinkled with house show more refurbishing and gardening, and, as the title promises, love.

If books were strawberry shortcake, this one would be a towering mound of frothy indulgence, topped with the freshest berries.

I am unabashedly a dog person. I also love nest-making, sprucing up houses, furnishings and gardening, mostly by watching the Home Network, but at least my intentions are good. Anyone who shares these traits will probably love this book.

There are losses, partings, and deaths in this story, straightforward but gentle reminders of the inevitability of love and loss. Taken as a whole, Dog House is my 'macaroni and cheese' type of book--so good in the reading but sad when the end comes. show less

I think if you are truly a dog lover - this book will leave you disappointed with the author. She tells the story of her life with her husband, son and pets honestly (which I give her credit for) but I don’t think she truly understands dog love as she writes about it on the second page. “Dog-love is steadfast, unreserved and genuine. It’s wholehearted. It’s uncritical.”

She only seemed to heed these principles with the dogs who conformed to her standards. She stresses in the show more beginning how much she is not like her mother (who said she liked dogs, but really didn‘t) but I believe she is more like her mother than she cares to admit.

There are many issues one has to deal with when making a commitment to a pet, and one has to be willing to love the good and live with the bad. That’s just the way it is when you decide to bring an animal into your life. However, this author, even after doing research, seemed to go out of her way (literally, many times) to make choices for pets that were less than ideal, and then when things just didn’t work out, she gave up on the commitments.

The author admitted to her shortcomings several times, but it didn’t make up for her behavior. I’m not sure how I would classify her, but I don’t think it would be as a dog-person.

Overall, if you want to read a fairly well written memoir, this book is all of that. If you want to read a compassionate dog -love story, this book doesn’t come close. show less