We’re a dog family. David and I both had dogs in the house when we were kids and now we have Scrappy who is about 6 years old and the friendliest guy, even if he’s not exactly the brightest. He’s always happy to see you, whether you’re a member of the family or the UPS man it doesn’t matter; if you’re a person he loves you. So, I had to read Things Your Dog Doesn’t Want You to Know by Hy Conrad and Jeff Johnson and share it with my husband. Turns out maybe Scrappy isn’t excited because he loves us. Charlie, a miniature schnauzer, says, “We just mope around and sleep all day. And wait for you to come home. That’s why we’re always so excited to see you. Not just because we love you. But because we’re bored to death and you’re our entertainment.”
Things Your Dog Doesn’t Want You to Know is just a funny, adorable little book. Eleven brave dogs share their stories, secrets, wishes in a series of essays, some of which made me laugh out loud. They are a variety of pups, from a spoiled Chihuahua to a German shepherd who works at a variety of (mostly) dead-end jobs. These dogs are willing to tell everything, all the details about their lives that usually we humans aren’t privy to.
It’s hard to pick out any favorites. I love Moonbeam, a mutt who was rescued by a new agey vegan, especially his story about what happens at his house during full moons. I’ll just say his neighbor’s a little odd. And Orson is a riot. He’s a bull dog who loves food, even gobbling down spoiled guacomole, saving his owners from sure death. I will say the last secret, the biggest secret, left me with tears in my eyes. Our dogs are part of our families, they play with us, humor us, comfort us, they love us.
I also liked the format of the book. It’s colorful and each dog gets his own type of page, with a different layout, font style. It’s fun and adds to the light-hearted charm. It’s a good book to pick up, read an essay or two, laugh, and sit it back on the end table to read a bit of another time. Honestly, I think this is a perfect book for dog lovers. It would make a nice little stocking stuffer, too, if you’re doing some early Christmas shopping.
4½ out of 5 stars
Category: Humor
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Published April 1, 2012 by Sourcebooks
240 pages
Book source: For Review
~ ~ ~ Giveaway ~ ~ ~
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The giveaway will be open through September 18. The winner will be chosen randomly by Rafflecopter, contacted by email and announced on Septebmer 19, 2012.
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We have a rescue Beagle that we almost lost when we first
adopted her! Her name is Daisy Duke and we are so thankful
that she is in our lives. Daisy is bright, loving and adored by
our whole family! She celebrated her fourth birthday on
July 4th.
Thanks, Cindi
Thanks for taking part in the tour. I’m so glad you enjoyed this fun book!
My favorite pet is our sweet Jack Russell Terrier. She’s 16 and a half now and I fear she won’t be around much longer. 🙁
This sounds like a great coffee table book for dog lovers.
Thanks for the giveaway.
We had a black lab for 16 years. She was so friendly. She started out being an outdoor dog, and slowly gained the run of the house!
I don’t have a dog at the moment but for years I catered to a very spoiled little poodle. Our own fault I suppose!
We have a rescue named Bogie who is wise, affectionate, smart and thinks that he can beat every dog and truck out there. He runs like the wind and doesn’t let his small size hamper his efforts.
Our beloved little Cenya a shih tzu passed away in March, she was a joy, a day never went by that she made you laugh. When she was warm she would go over to the air register and give you the eye that it was time to put the AC on. Soooo cute.
Carol
Thanks so much for the very kind review of my new book and for hosting a giveaway. I hope your readers enjoy it as well.
Dogs and I…eh..no 🙁
I <3 dogs…of all shapes and sizes! We have 2 (rescued!) that are ours and then we foster dogs for the local rescue group. All kinds of doggie love & kisses going on around here! My 3 yr old male American Akita mix is 73 pounds, mellow and a lap dog-when I'm in the floor or on the couch 🙂 My 2 year old Beagle/Jack Russell mix is in the terrible twos, just a little hyper lol, and so much fun!
I have recently lost my best friend Seamus. He is a thirty eight pound Jack Russell Terrier. He was super friendly. Whenever we had company over he would jump up and kiss me because he was convinced that they were there to see me. He used to be afraid to sleep upstairs but eventually I was the only person in whose room he would sleep. He would always wag his tail when he saw me. He lived until the ripe old age of seventeen. I will always miss him.
This looks like a sweet book and I’ve been hearing great things about it. I have two yappy miniature schnauzers myself and despite the fact that they hog my side of the bed (and let my husband continue to have his entire half to himself), I wouldn’t trade Daisy and Gatsby for the world.