A Great Read – A Dog’s Purpose

Last night I finished reading A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron. All I can say is that the memory of every dog I’ve ever had floated through my mind as I read this book.  A Dog’s Purpose chronicles the many reincarnations of a dog who continues to be reborn in an effort to discover his true life’s purpose. Told from the dog’s perspective, this touching, funny and inspiring story leads you gently along and touches your heart over and over again.

After I finished the book, I looked at my two dogs and wondered – have they been with me before? Had they lived different lives? And if so, where are they in their journey? What is their purpose?

Book Review: It’s Okay to Miss the Bed on the First Jump

I’ve been reading a lot lately and the content of the books varies. I’m juggling everything from fiction to autobiographies to my school text books. I always try to squeeze something light-hearted into the mix just to give myself a chance to laugh.

When I was shopping for my daughter’s birthday gifts, I came across John O’Hurley‘s book It’s Okay to the Miss the Bed on the First Jump. I wasn’t a Seinfeld watcher, so I only knew him from things like Family Feud, The National Dog Show and Dancing with the Stars. I’ve always found him charming and quite funny, so I thought I’d give his book a chance. Besides, the picture on the cover of him and his two adorable pups was too hard to pass up.

I wasn’t disappointed. Light-hearted, endearing and thought-provoking, his book was exactly what I needed. His sweet anecdotes and the clever observations of his dogs, Betty and Scoshi, made me laugh, and sometimes even cry. O’Hurley’s voice is so clear in the narrative and the love he feels for his dogs – both past and present – radiates off of the page.

This is a book I’ll revisit again and again. Thanks, John O’Hurley!

Another Good Read…

I’ve been reading Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know by Alexandra Horowitz. It’s a unique look into the minds and behaviors of dogs – not only their perceptual and cognitive abilities, but what it might actually be like to be a dog. The book is full of wonderful information, recent statistics and research data, fun anecdotes and interesting insight into the minds of our canine friends. The author, Alexandra Horowitz, a cognitive scientist, dog owner and dog lover, explains how dogs perceive their world, other dogs and their human companions, and reflects on her own dog’s behavior. This book is witty, warm and insightful.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who has watched their dog in fascination, wondering what could possibly be going its head. You’ll gain a new appreciation for your canine friend.

Related Articles

• The Secrets Inside Your Dog’s Mind (time.com)

Oogy – An Unforgettable Read

Just finished the book Oogy. The Dog Only a Family Could Love. What an inspirational true story. Oogy, a puppy used as bait in a vicious dog fighting ring, is maimed and disfigured when he is rescued by the police. Hospital staff, after one look at his bloodied body, decide to go above and beyond the call of duty to save the dog with the stunningly sweet demeanor. Fate steps in and Oogy is soon adopted by Larry Levin and his family. What follows is a beautiful story of forgiveness, the power of redemption, and the animal/human connection. Once tossed aside, Oogy and his human family prove that love can overcome the seemingly impossible.

This story will stay with you long after you finish the last chapter and you’ll have a hard time forgetting Oogy’s face. This is one book I will read over and over again.