Ask Anna: Advice for
the Furry and Forlorn, by Dean Koontz* and his dog Anna (Center
Street/Hatchette Book Group, 2014, $20, 96 pages)
Golden Advice
Surely you have heard of the very prolific Dean Koontz*, seemingly
inexhaustible author of numerous (130 or more) books, many of
them bestsellers, and his former best friend (dog) and fellow bestselling
author Trixie Koontz**, who wrote three books herself.
Today, I’d like to introduce you to Anna Koontz, also a
Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) wonderdog drop-out (like Trixie) and
now, advice columnist for canines with her first book, Ask Anna. And it is amazing how Anna resembles her favorite human,
Dean Koontz in photos.
Although Anna is a golden retriever who wears pink ribbons
on her ears, she inherited the Dear Abby gene and advises all breeds of dogs,
even All-American dogs (America’s favorite kind, the mixed breed or dog of
unknown origin [DUO]). Chances are that you will first thumb through to find
the letters written by dogs like yours (or at least dog-ear those pages).
What can be better than pages and pages of dog photos? All
proceeds***will be donated to Canine Companions for Independence, a nonprofit
organization that trains service dogs for people with disabilities.
Although it is hard to carry brilliant questions and answers
throughout an entire 96-page book, Koontz does a remarkable job, starting with
his inadvertent discovery of Anna’s talent. She was using a computer, hidden
away in the family exercise room and remained undiscovered for quite some time
until one day Koontz happened to glance in as he passed by and saw Anna helping
a Boston Terrier from - Boston!
Dear Anna
My favorite letter is from a height-challenged Dachshund
named Shrimp who feels short and asks about leg extensions, exercises, vitamins
or yoga. Anna replies that Shrimp is not short when height is measured from
nose to tail and dogs don’t have to worry about their looks because they are
all humungously cute!
From ‘Obsessed in Omaha’ to ‘Not Cute Enough in Cleveland’
to ‘Confused Puppy’ to Anna’s buddy, Buddy, these letters will entertain and even
astound you with the cleverness of this canine counselor.
Bonus: A
rather-contrived ‘Brief (2-page) History of Canine Advice’ and the rather
strange 3-page ‘Take my Paw in Times of Trouble (A Dog Day in Koontzland)’
*Midnight; Darkest Evening of the Year; A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog;
Trixie and Jinx; I, Trixie, Who is Dog (reviewed
here); . . . .
**Life is Good:
Lessons in Joyful Living; Bliss to You: Trixie’s Guide to a Happy Life; and Christmas is Good: Trixie’s Guide to a
Happy Holiday
***The only other book I know of to donate all its proceeds
is Katenna Jones’ Fetching the Perfect
Dog Trainer (reviewed
here).
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