Coyotes had been out on the path at night – scat everywhere – and the dogs were mesmerized.

Maria and I went to see “True Grit,” tonight, a Coen brothers remake of the John Wayne classic based on the very different novel by Charles Portis. I enjoyed the movie, although it is always disconcerting for me to see Jeff Bridges on the screen, as it was bizarre to see him playing me. I don’t really like to talk much about the movie, although people want to hear about it. I was pretty crazy at the time, and I always saw “A Dog Year” as a funny book, a mad intro into my world of writing about dogs and animals and coming to the farm. The movie people saw it differently.

I did not see myself at all in the Jon Katz played by Bridges, although he is an awesome actor and the movie is under no obligation to be faithful to me or my book. It’s a movie, and a movie is different from a book. And I much enjoyed talking to Jeff Bridges during the shoot. “True Grit” was a perfect vehicle for Jeff, and he took advantage of it. I thought it was great, and a good new New Year’s tradition for Maria and I. I think this year will be an important one for both of us. I’m sure Charles Portis didn’t see a lot of his touching novel in the film either. I love the things we know about and can’t wait to discover the things we don’t.