Dog Years: A Memoir

Winner of the Israel Fishman-Stonewall Book Award for Nonfiction

"Tender and amusing. . . . Doty brilliantly captures the qualities that make dogs endearing." -- The New Yorker

When Mark Doty decides to adopt a dog as a companion for his dying partner, he brings home Beau, a large, malnourished golden retriever in need of loving care. Joining Arden, the black retriever, to complete their family, Beau bounds back into life. Before long, the two dogs become Doty's intimate companions, and eventually the very life force that keeps him from abandoning all hope during the darkest days.

Dog Years is a poignant, intimate memoir interwoven with profound reflections on our feelings for animals and the lessons they teach us about living, love, and loss.

This lyrical memoir explores the profound depths of love and grief through:

• A Poignant Love Story: Mark Doty adopts Beau, a golden retriever, as a companion for his dying partner, Wally, beginning a journey of love and survival through the AIDS crisis.
• Coping with Grief and Loss: When the darkest days arrive, the two retrievers—Arden and Beau—become the life force that anchors the author to hope.
• Lyrical, Poetic Prose: From an award-winning poet, this memoir is a beautifully crafted, unflinching look at mortality, bereavement, and the solace we find in our animal companions.
• An Unforgettable Bond: More than just a story about the loss of a pet, this is a profound reflection on what dogs teach us about living in the moment, loving without reservation, and facing the inevitable.