My Life in Dog Years: A Poodle Named Henry and Other Melodramas
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About
When Candida Pugh fell in love with a friend’s giant poodle, she decided to find one for herself. But the poodle she found at a Fremont, California, shelter resembled the other dog only in his keen intelligence and outgoing personality. In fact, she was advised not to adopt Henry because “he’s a biter.” If that had summed up his defects, it would’ve been bad enough, but his tendency to bite the hand that fed him proved merely the tip of the iceberg.
Her struggles with this maddening, adorable, astute animal foreshadowed a series of impulsive acquisitions of dogs with issues. In this memoir, she details how her love for difficult dogs resulted in frustration, determination, and ultimately jubilation. The unwavering devotion she won from each gave her the courage to overcome her own troubled past.
Praise for this book
Charming, poignant, and amusing, with a plethora of memorable canines.
Pugh’s heartfelt memories and amusing anecdotes make for an engaging memoir of
her story, her nearest and dearest’s, and the eclectic bunch of dogs that she has had the
pleasure to know. From the good times to the bad times to the downright bonkers
times, all facets of dog ownership seem to feature, often in entertaining or
illuminating ways. It might not convince you to get a dog, but it’ll certainly make you
consider just how rich it can be.
A heart-warming and vulnerable story of loyalty, love and friendship that's sure to entertain as it captivates.
Love, pain, and tears permeate this story, which gives caution for readers who may have suffered their own animal loss. There is no animal love without eventual loss, however. Pugh also offers insights into moving on, handling very different dog personalities, and embracing the richness a dog can lend to life.
The amount and nature of poodle and other dog breed encounters creates an appealing story that charts the ups and downs of dog ownership and animal psyches.
Libraries seeking stories that are moving, embracing, educational, and psychological draws will want to add My Life in Dog Years: A Poodle Named Henry and Other Melodramas to their collections for its wide-ranging stories and opportunity to better understand not just dog nature, but human interactions with them.