... a tender memoir that showcases the vulnerable self we often risk revealing only to our pets. The dogs in Shaw’s life show her how to love another being, yes—but that love also leads her deeper into the human experience, flaws, risks and all. Shaw’s sensitive recollection of a lifetime of anxiety and curiosity will invite readers to examine their own insecurities and to find acceptance in the process.
Shaw’s language is lyrical and contemplative, whether relating small moments of intimacy or big feelings. This is a quiet, heartfelt, and memorable work that cuts right to the quick of the unique bond between dogs and their people. As she tries to cling to the fleeing present, a feeling of sadness pervades; we all know how dog books end.
Shaw debuts with a beautiful paean to dogs in this touching memoir recounting the canines who changed her life ... In heartbreaking, lyrical prose, she meditates on the dogs 'that shepherded me into adulthood,' motherhood, and her decade of 'hard-earned' marriage ... Dog lovers, take note and grab some tissues.
This poignant and gracefully written memoir amply embraces the complexities of the human-dog relationship in a uniquely personal way, and it’s also a moving story of self-acceptance ... A dog lover’s warmhearted delight.
