Chicken Soup For The Soul: My Dog's Life

June 16, 2011 4:26 pm | By Zootoo Editor Flinn D.

Combining amusing anecdotes and cartoons with tearjerker stories of loss and reunion, “Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Dog’s Life” presents readers with 101 true stories about the joys and bittersweet sorrows of dog ownership.

The book’s co-authors, Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, and Jennifer Quasha, group these brief pieces by the stages of a dog’s life. The journey begins with “A Bundle of Fur,” offering stories of puppyhood, and moves eventually to senior pet status in “These Old Bones,” and beyond, with such heartbreaking, relatable sections as “Over the Rainbow” and “I’ll Always Love You.”

Each piece is only a few pages in length — perfect if you only have a few minutes in your chaotic schedule to sit down for a quick read. And the tone of each story is as distinct as its individual contributor, with voices ranging from sentimental to humorous, such as one piece written in the form of a “memo” welcoming a new dog to the household.

As with the other books in the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series, the common theme connecting the 101 pieces is “real people sharing real stories.” And in the case of “My Dog’s Life,” these stories tend to touch on some of the most fundamental aspects of our relationships with dogs—the ways that they uplift us, entertain us, comfort us, and inspire us.

In addition to the featured pieces, the book also intersperses amusing cartoons about the lighter side of life with dogs, and each piece begins with a memorable quote about our canine companions.

Simply put, whether or not you’re a longtime fan of the “Chicken Soup” series, this endearing book is an ideal read or gift for any dog lover.

Pros: Combines amusing anecdotes and cartoons with bittersweet tributes.

Cons: None.