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Brian McGrory on life with a dog and a rooster

In this selection from his forthcoming memoir, the Boston Globe columnist writes about two animals who taught him all sorts of lessons about life. Buddy’s lessons were far harder learned than Harry’s.

By Brian McGrory

 |  Globe Staff  

  October 14, 2012

Adapted from Buddy: How a Rooster Made Me a Family Man . Copyright © 2012 by Brian McGrory. To be released by Crown Publishers, a division of Random House Inc., on November 13.

Comments

Is the Globe serious about printing this article?  We, subscribers, have to read a piece that promotes a book?  And about nonsensical, non-news items that we've endured before from Mr. McGrory?  Why do journalists make this mistake thinking we are interested in them rather than what they might write about?  It's not that we aren't, but let us be exposed to it outside the jurisdiciton of the publication by which they are employed.  We've read "That Quail, Robert" and "The Jungle Book." 

Replies

Wow - somebody got up on the wrong side. I, a subscriber like yourself, happened to love the article! The content of the article was not a surprise, based on the title or author - if you had an objection you could have simply chosen NOT to read it.

I appreciate knowing about this book since I live in a cave off of I-95 and don't get out much. It's funny how people take the media for granted. I had a brother who watched nothing but Fox News and smoked cigs in his apartment. He did a real slide in less than two years and his personality changed. He expected all news outlets to behave like Fox News. Since the government sees nothing wrong with tobacco and I get to see butts flying at my car during rush hour, I have to blame Fox News. I've lost a brother and two great dogs in the past 5 years or so. 

Thanks to Brian for taking a risk and sharing part of his life with the reading public.This is what newspapers are all about.

Thank you Brian for a good cry. But in the end a smile.

I loved the piece, and thanks for printing it. I love all teh characters in it, but it's disheartening, as an animal behavior professional, to see the poor understanding of behavior by what I'm sure is a capable and intelligent veterinarian, as well as a loving animal caretaker. Learn more about behavior the science - forget behavior the social label! There is no "dominant" you can remove from any animal - it's a collection of behaviors, not a condition.

I wish I could have known Harry.  Not so sure about the Budster.

I cried, and then I laughed...out loud...thanks Brian. And now I think I'll have a drink to take a little of the ache out of my heart.

Gushing tears and belly laughs. I can't wait to read this. Thanks, Brian.