
And what does a man talk about with his dog over a cigar and a beer? Anything ranging from chasing squirrels, barking, chewing on things, and eating, to having a hard day at the office, the responsibilities any dog owner has to live up to, and even some philosophy! Sometimes they give each other a hard time, sometimes they reminisce about the good old days, and sometimes they just pause to enjoy how the afternoon lazily drifts into night.
Reading this book I felt I was entering the world of two best friends and being privy to their conversations. Dog is quite smart and sophisticated, for a dachshund that is, but still prone to let his dog urges take over. Because of this he often finds himself defending his bending and sometimes breaking of the rules that his master has laid out for him. The author however, seems to understand this and is more amused than upset with Dog getting out of line.
My favorite chapters were “First Dog,” which was spooky and “The Last Conversation with my Dog (for this book!),” which was really sweet. Overall I thought the author did a pretty good job in presenting his canine companion’s point of view regarding the many issues discussed, but just in case he included a rebuttal by Dog to set the record straight!
Stephen Ullmon has written a book that will be enjoyed both by dog lovers and lay people alike. Not only is it funny, but it also displays a keen understanding of canine psychology as well as respect for our four legged friends and their world.
Read the interview with Steve's Dog.
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