Hey Pet Lovers, Check This Out! Book Review and Giveaway: What a Difference a Dog Makes--Big Lessons on Life, Love, and Healing from a Small Pooch by Dana Jennings. Two Winners for this one.

When I first received this book from the publisher, Doubleday, I admit, I had my doubts about how substantial it was. It's a tiny book, only 154 pages and I wondered how much could there be to say about a dog anyway? Was I ever wrong! If you've ever had a dog or a cat (there's a chapter on cats too!), you'll identify with the author and what his message is in a big way.

The author, Dana Jennings is the assistant editor of the New York Times Arts and Leisure section. He writes a popular column about coping with prostate cancer and its aftermath for the Times Well blog. This book is a laugh-out-loud, poignant account of how Jenning's 12-year-old miniature poodle named Bijou de Minuit--Bijou for short--helped him through some of the most arduous times of his life: an aggressive form of prostate cancer and his son, a high school senior suddenly and unexpectedly, contracting auto-immune liver disease--total liver failure. It was a scary time. A comfort then and now is Bijou.


Jennings packs so many life lessons he learned from his little bundle of fur in this book. He explores and details so much of what a pet owner knows instinctively, but may not think about until something happens that forces one to take stock of life and what it really means. Having faced a life threatening illness and watching Bijou age and decline as well, there's a deep and awesome bond between a man and his dog that the little things bring to life: lying in the sun together, taking that walk, a loving head upon your knee, waiting for that loving scratch.

This book made me laugh and it made me cry. I know so deeply of what the author speaks, having had a long and loving relationship with my own cat Boozie, before her unexpected death in the spring (4/25/10 post). I leave you with some words from the author that I have said so many times myself and it was awesome to see someone else express my feelings so perfectly and even use some of the same words...

So often, we--dogs and humans (and cats!)--just need to be near each other. We need the presence of another heartbeat, the inhale and exhale of another soul....her presence, her being there, was a better tonic for me than any get-well card.

This book is awesome in it's message, loving in it's sentiment. If you'd like the opportunity to receive a copy, leave a comment about a dog or cat that was important in your life if you've had one. Don't forget to leave your email so you can be contacted if you're one of the winners.

At publisher's request, giveaway is limited to residents of the US only. Giveaway ends Friday, November 12.

Toodles!