A Sheepdog Named Oscar

Love and Companionship in Rural Ireland

By: Dara Waldron

Narrated by: Michael Vallely

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

A moving memoir of grief, healing, and the unbreakable bond between man and dog, set against the lush backdrop of rural Ireland.

After the sudden loss of his father, film scholar and father of two boys, Dara Waldron finds unexpected solace in Ireland’s East Clare region. There, on an abandoned farm, he encounters a lone, enigmatic border collie—Oscar. What begins as an animal rescue gradually evolves into a profound companionship that helps Waldron navigate his grief.

Oscar is no ordinary dog. A working sheepdog by nature, his instincts pull him to charge ahead—yet always return. As Waldron embarks on daily walks through misty woodlands and along rugged hillsides, their bond deepens. Each step through the Irish countryside becomes part of a ritual of recovery, trust, and understanding.

In spare, lyrical prose and accompanied by cinematic images of Oscar’s life, A Sheepdog Named Oscar is more than a story of a man and his dog—it’s a meditation on place, memory, the call of the wild, and the quiet strength found in nature and companionship. With reflections on cinema, art, and animal consciousness, Waldron crafts a uniquely soulful memoir that explores the emotional terrain of loss and the redemptive power of connection.

For fans of Jon Katz, Helen Macdonald, and nature-infused memoirs, A Sheepdog Named Oscar is a poignant reminder that sometimes the path to healing begins with a four-legged guide.

©2025 Dara Waldron (P)2025 Spiegel & Grau by Spotify Audiobooks

Nice Memoir, Plodding Narration

Nice little memoir with an interesting and researched insight into collies and their illustrious place in Irish history and culture. That said, I was wholly disappointed in the narration. I intentionally chose to listen to this book rather than read a hard copy so I could hear the correct pronunciation of names and places. While that was achieved, the narrator was spiritless and dull, making listening to the book tedious and boring. In fact, I kind of wondered if the narrator was AI generated, based on the vocal affect. Strange. Go for the hard copy instead.