REVIEW: I'm a Good Dog

I'm a Good Dog

Pit Bulls, America's Most Beautiful (and Misunderstood) Pet

by Ken Foster
Paperback: 144 Pages
Publisher:  Viking Studio (October 25, 2012)

If you know me at all, you know that I am an advocate for - and lover of - pit bulls.  I know how loyal, playful and loving this breed can be - I have seen it first hand on numerous occasions.  And yes, I am a sucker for those adorable pittie smiles! While there have been several books published in recent years about pit bulls, not one of them has grabbed me as much as I'm a Good Dog: Pit Bulls, America's Most Beautiful (and Misunderstood) Pet has.  I absolutely love this book!

Author Ken Foster is on a mission to show the world that this very misunderstood breed is not a menacing or cruel one, as so many have wrongly labeled it.  In I'm a Good Dog, Mr. Foster shows us all that pitties are in fact some of the best household pets and adored family members in America. 

What I love most about I'm a Good Dog is the format.  Although it is a paperback book (read: lower cost), it is one of the most beautiful "coffee table" picture books I have ever seen!  The candid full-color photos throughout the book are stunning and truly capture the breed's personality, as well as it's determination to be man's best friend. 

However, I'm a Good Dog is not just a picture book.  I'm a Good Dog covers the history of the pit bull breed and it's various combinations, as well as a number of engrossing topics including:

• How panic and misinformation has led to fear in so many people
• The question of pit bull DNA and whether or not it is a predictor for behavior (hint: no!)
• How the worst possible times (including the Vick case) helped to turn around the pit bull's misfortunes
• Myths (both positive and negative) regarding the breed's history
• Why it matters what society thinks about pit bulls

If you are among those who are leery about pit bulls or - gasp - even fearful of them, I hope that you will pick up a copy of I'm a Good Dog and spend some time reading about the pitties origins and tangled history.  Inspiring stories from owners are scattered throughout, and did I mention those stunning photographs?  Discover how pit bulls are contributing to the community now more than ever - as family pets, athletes, safety dogs and educators.  Some have even taken on their ancestors role of watching over the human babies in the family.

Grab yourself a copy of I'm a Good Dog today or better yet, grab a couple and give as gifts this holiday season.  The book is beautifully put together, well written, and a subject near and dear to my heart.  Apparently, also near and dear to Rain Wilson's heart...

"Fellow pit bull lovers, this is a brilliant bible of the glorious, gorgeous terriers." -Rainn Wilson, star of The Office

About the Author: A writer and a teacher, Ken Foster is the author of the bestseller The Dogs Who Found Me and its sequel Dogs I Have Met.  A collection of his short stories, titled The Kind I'm Likely to Get, was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year.  Additionally, his work has been featured in numerous publications. In 2008, he founded The Sula Foundation, which promotes responsible pit bull ownership in New Orleans where Ken lives with his dogs, Brando, Zephyr, Douglas and Bananas.

Disclaimer: Viking Studio sent Lapdog Creations a complimentary copy of I'm a Good Dog for review purposes. I was not compensated for this review. All opinions expressed in the review are my own.