Jon Katz has written several books about his dogs, including “A Dog Year: Twelve Months, Four Dogs and Me.” The four dogs he writes about in this book are two yellow Labs named Julius and Stanley, an Australian border collie he adopts named Devon and second border collie he acquires, Homer.

Katz has written about his beautiful Labs before in “Running to the Mountain,” but the focus of this book is on Devon. Katz is happy living with his wife Paula and his two yellow Labs. Daughter Emma has gone to college when a dog trainer from Texas calls Katz to tell him about a border collie named Devon that she is trying to find a home for.

He is hesitant at first; border collies have a reputation for being high energy, high maintenance dogs. Does he have the time and willpower to take on ownership of this dog? Will this new dog upset Julius and Stanley?

Deanne, the dog trainer, pesters Katz, telling him that she believes that he will be good for Devon. After some deliberation, he agrees to take Devon in. His first meeting with Devon was foreshadowing for the troubled times ahead.

He met Devon at the Newark Airport. As he opened the crate to take Devon out in the baggage handling area, Devon escaped. He raced through the airport with Katz giving chase, along with “two baggage handlers and three unhappy Port Authority policemen.” After a half-hour chase, Devon was cornered near the Hertz Car Rental counter and he let Katz put a leash on him.

Once he got Devon home, he decided to walk the dog before going into the house. All was going well until Devon broke the leash. Katz looked frantically for him and found him standing on the roof of a minivan! How on earth did he get up there? He chased the van until it stopped and was able to retrieve Devon. So began his dog year.

Border collies are sheep herding dogs, so it was Devon's natural instinct to herd. What he liked to herd was school buses. Devon would take off after a school bus, barking furiously at the front tire, trapping the students and driver inside the bus terrified at this crazy dog.

After one frightening incident, Katz became angry at Devon, screaming at him and throwing his hat and leash at the dog. He had never behaved that way with a dog or human being before. Quaking with emotion, he told Devon that they had to come to an understanding or Devon could not remain with him.

Devon was very clever dog. When Katz would leave the house, he would leave the dogs inside the fenced yard. Julius and Stanley were happy to remain behind the fence, loping through the yard, lying in the sun to nap. Devon found a way to escape from the yard and Katz would find him sitting on the sidewalk, outside of the fence.

One day, Katz circled back to see if he could find out how Devon escaped. After a few tries, he discovered that the dog was able to find a loose fence board and nudge it with his nose until he could squeeze through the opening to get to the other side.

When Paula and Jon went out for the evening, they came home to find the refrigerator door wide open. A container that held a roast chicken was missing. The next time, it was a tray of meatballs. After searching the house, the container was found completely empty. Following Devon outside, they soon discovered that what went in, eventually must come out. How he got the refrigerator door open was a mystery.

I enjoyed Katz's descriptions of his dogs. He describes Julius as the most spiritual dog, “at peace with himself and the world.” He says that Julius possessed the qualities that he most wished he had; “Think no ill, do no harm, spread love and happiness.” Julius was always content to just sit and watch the world go by.

Stanley was more energetic. He enjoyed living life; chasing a ball for hours and swimming in the river. Chasing his ball into the river gave him great joy.

Katz recounts an incident where Stanley ended up in a swollen river chasing a ball that he stupidly threw in for the dog to retrieve. He waded into the river to try and save the dog, all the while fearing that both of them may drown.

Devon was a different dog and Katz felt that if he could make Devon behave, they would make great partners. He had an opportunity to take Devon to Minnesota for a semester where he taught a class at a college.

The time they spent there gave them an opportunity to bond with each other. Devon would accompany him to class and sleep while Katz taught. He became a popular attraction at the local coffee shop, making many friends there as well.

Dogs don't live as long as humans, so there is some sadness in the book. Animal lovers will enjoy “A Dog Year.” While not as humorous as the more popular “Marley and Me,” it reminds people why they love their dogs and what terrific companions they make. I give it three stars.

Auburn native Diane La Rue's lifelong goal is to read a book a week. If you have suggestions, e-mail her at laruediane2000@yahoo.com