Dogs seem to know. They can sense when something’s wrong, when someone needs comfort, and when to offer their quiet companionship without saying a word. In Amazing Dog Stories, author David Wilk shares story after story of these moments—times when his dogs didn’t just love him and his wife, Terryle (“Tunes”), but seemed to understand them. These aren’t just tales of loyalty—they’re stories of emotional intuition that feel almost magical. And it’s this powerful connection between dogs and people that helped make this book a finalist for Book of the Year by the National Dog Writers Association.

One of the most moving stories in the book is about Yosemite, a Golden Retriever with an unshakable bond to Tunes. Yosemite wasn’t just a family dog—she was a lifeline. When Tunes experienced serious health problems and was largely confined to bed, Yosemite instinctively stayed by her side every day. She didn’t need to be asked or called. She knew.

Whenever Tunes stirred or shifted in discomfort, Yosemite was there—lifting her head, ready to help, quietly offering her presence as a form of healing. And if you’ve ever been cared for by a dog in your hardest moments, you understand the kind of comfort Wilk is talking about. It’s the kind that doesn’t need words. Yosemite gave that, over and over again.

Even outside of health struggles, Wilk’s dogs always seemed to have a deep emotional radar. Take Gracie, for example—a bold, bright spirit who still insisted on swimming every single day, even in her old age. When she could barely walk, David would help her down to the pool. And once she hit the water, it was like watching her become young again. Gracie’s determination to enjoy life, despite the pain, was a quiet lesson in resilience.

Then there was George Burns II—affectionate, handsome, and not the brightest dog of the bunch (as Wilk lovingly admits). But what George lacked in strategy he made up for in heart. Every day, he would follow Wilk down the hill on walks, never missing a moment, never asking questions. Just being there, always.

And that’s what makes these stories so powerful: the dogs in Amazing Dog Stories aren’t superstars or service animals with special training. They’re regular family pets who, through love and intuition, become extraordinary. They’re present in life’s happiest moments and in its darkest hours, never judging, never abandoning.

Wilk’s warm and personal writing style makes you feel like you’ve known these dogs yourself. Each chapter captures the little things—the way a tail thumps when you walk in, how a dog curls beside you just when you need comfort, or how they somehow know when you need a break and a walk in the sun.

It’s no wonder this book stood out to the National Dog Writers Association. It’s not just a collection of cute dog stories. It’s a love letter to the emotional intelligence of dogs—and a reminder that, sometimes, they know us better than we know ourselves.