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thesimplereader's review
4.0
This book was precious. I normally do not like books about animals, even though I am crazy about them in real life, but it was absolutely adorable! And a great read!
alidottie's review against another edition
4.0
This is definitely a book for dog lovers. It is not one of those animal memoirs that could appeal to everyone.
tmoake's review against another edition
2.0
I have mixed feelings about this one. I liked many of the stories, but the way the author "weaved" them together felt forced/disjointed. There was a sudden shift where the loss of a pet was a dominant theme-- and it really took me off guard. I wished there was a semblance of a warning, but now that I've made it through the tough parts, I appreciate the honest reflection. After all, as pet owners, it's likely if not inevitable that we will outlive our four-legged best friends. Also, as an experienced pet owner, I philosophically disagreed often with her "training" methods. It seemed like she generally lets her dogs run all over her and her poor family members. There were definitely some golden nuggets and it was a very quick read.
ancoetsu's review against another edition
4.0
Quick read that would be enjoyed by any dog lover. I wholeheartedly agree that dogs teach us a little something in their time with us. Warning: there will be tears!
corvingreene's review against another edition
1.0
This is yet another poorly-written pet memoir that's more about the narcissist owner than the pets. And this author, while I'm sure sure truly loves animals, is a wretched owner, refusing to train her dogs not to bite. She seems even to brag about how one dog bit her child, he was so "spirited."
I love Boston Terriers, but I can't imagine anyone would want one after reading this horrible book.
I love Boston Terriers, but I can't imagine anyone would want one after reading this horrible book.
geesammy's review
emotional
funny
informative
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
3.75
One woman’s recounting of her experiences with dogs and the lessons they have taught her along the way. Sweet, with a bit of sadness
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
jackir's review against another edition
3.0
I found the author's lack of basic knowledge about dogs and their behavior to be a bit annoying. With that said, she obviously has a huge heart and I enjoyed her stories. Of course, being a Boston lover, I really liked that aspect of it, too. :)
lisalikesdogs's review against another edition
3.0
The story was kind of whatever, but parts definitely had my laughing out loud with her desciptions of the dogs and things they did. It definitely reaffirmed my immediate need for a dog in my life!
bookishlifeofbrie's review against another edition
1.0
I am so disappointed with this book. I expected more and I wanted more. I might not own a dog at the moment, but I consider myself a dog lover and am a huge advocate for rescuing dogs. But I didn't find any of this book very endearing, and it definitely didn't make me want to rescue a dog anytime soon, based on her descriptions of working with a rescue organization for many years.
But let me back up...to start with, the synopsis and title of this book was pretty misleading. What started out as a story of how Klam came to adopt Otto, this amazing Boston terrier in need of a good home, was over in just the few first chapters. Klam starts out as a single woman, somewhat worried she might never find love, but finds companionship in Otto. Otto was a great dog and I thought the book was going to be about Klam and Otto's relationship, but a few chapters in, Klam is already married, pregnant and Otto has passed on. We quickly jump to stories of other recue dogs she encounters. The story telling in this book was disjointed and the flow did not work. Bouncing around from Otto, to future dogs, back to Otto, to dogs she grew up with. It was impossible to keep a time line.
Furthermore, the stories Klam shares of rescuing Boston terriers and working for the rescue organization were pretty boring and honestly, nothing to write home about. How these stories ever got passed into making a book is beyond me. Other than Otto, I didn't feel any connection to any of the other dogs.
The thing that irritated me beyond belief about this book though was the lack of control and training Klam exhibited upon her own rescue dogs. And she went through a lot. I was actually pretty disgusted by how ill-behaved her dogs were. Peeing and pooping all over her apartment, biting not only her and her husband, but her toddler!!!?, not trained to walk on leashes, snapping and barking at every person they walked by. I just don't get it. You can love dogs and advocate and rescue dogs but still train them. Actually, I feel quite strongly that if you love a dog, you will do whatever it takes to train them properly. Dogs need rules and boundaries, just like kids do. And maybe she just left that part out, but there wasn't even an ATTEMPT at training them. It's like she would think up any excuse in the book to forgive their behaviours, no matter how destructive. "Oh she had a rough life and was left at the pound", "oh he's been through 3 previous foster homes though", etc, etc. I'm sorry, a dog cannot bite a child (or anyone) and that be acceptable behaviour.
LASTLY, Klam didn't even really answer the title of her own book: "How Dogs Taught Me the Secrets of Happiness". I don't recall Klam once addressing this. How did finding Otto, adopting him, lead her to become happy and confident and then meet her husband and become a mother? It's never addressed. How did these rescue dogs, who crap and piss all over your house, bite you and your young daughter, teach you happiness? I'm not saying she didn't learn something in all of this, but it was never really described.
Anyway, I love a good dog memoir book, but I'd highly recommend skipping this one.
But let me back up...to start with, the synopsis and title of this book was pretty misleading. What started out as a story of how Klam came to adopt Otto, this amazing Boston terrier in need of a good home, was over in just the few first chapters. Klam starts out as a single woman, somewhat worried she might never find love, but finds companionship in Otto. Otto was a great dog and I thought the book was going to be about Klam and Otto's relationship, but a few chapters in, Klam is already married, pregnant and Otto has passed on. We quickly jump to stories of other recue dogs she encounters. The story telling in this book was disjointed and the flow did not work. Bouncing around from Otto, to future dogs, back to Otto, to dogs she grew up with. It was impossible to keep a time line.
Furthermore, the stories Klam shares of rescuing Boston terriers and working for the rescue organization were pretty boring and honestly, nothing to write home about. How these stories ever got passed into making a book is beyond me. Other than Otto, I didn't feel any connection to any of the other dogs.
The thing that irritated me beyond belief about this book though was the lack of control and training Klam exhibited upon her own rescue dogs. And she went through a lot. I was actually pretty disgusted by how ill-behaved her dogs were. Peeing and pooping all over her apartment, biting not only her and her husband, but her toddler!!!?, not trained to walk on leashes, snapping and barking at every person they walked by. I just don't get it. You can love dogs and advocate and rescue dogs but still train them. Actually, I feel quite strongly that if you love a dog, you will do whatever it takes to train them properly. Dogs need rules and boundaries, just like kids do. And maybe she just left that part out, but there wasn't even an ATTEMPT at training them. It's like she would think up any excuse in the book to forgive their behaviours, no matter how destructive. "Oh she had a rough life and was left at the pound", "oh he's been through 3 previous foster homes though", etc, etc. I'm sorry, a dog cannot bite a child (or anyone) and that be acceptable behaviour.
LASTLY, Klam didn't even really answer the title of her own book: "How Dogs Taught Me the Secrets of Happiness". I don't recall Klam once addressing this. How did finding Otto, adopting him, lead her to become happy and confident and then meet her husband and become a mother? It's never addressed. How did these rescue dogs, who crap and piss all over your house, bite you and your young daughter, teach you happiness? I'm not saying she didn't learn something in all of this, but it was never really described.
Anyway, I love a good dog memoir book, but I'd highly recommend skipping this one.