Everybody Has to Read This Book!

 

TITLE: The Best Dog in the World: Essays on Love

AUTHOR: Alice Hoffman

PUBLISHER: Scribner

PUBLISHING DATE: March 10, 2026

PAGES: 240   

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: Anyone who has ever been fortunate enough to share their life with a dog knows the experience is both profound and transformative. Here, in this charming collection of essays, fifteen celebrated authors share unforgettable tales of the dogs who left their pawprints on their hearts. 

With contributions from Chris Bohjalian, Roxane Gay, Emily Henry, Ann Leary, Tova Mirvis, Jodi Picoult, Elizabeth Strout, Amy Tan, Adriana Trigiani, Nick Trout, and Laura Zigman, The Dog Who Changed My Life captures the full range of the canine-human connection, from the joy of welcoming a new puppy to the heartache of saying goodbye to a beloved friend. 

A love letter to the loyal companions who enrich our lives and teach us about empathy, joy, and unconditional love, this anthology is the perfect gift for dog lovers everywhere, offering a blend of laughter, tears, and inspiration that will resonate with anyone who has been fur-ever touched by the love of a dog.

MY THOUGHTS: It has to be a no-brainer if you've been around my blog much why I requested this one.  That cover spoke to me and when I saw some of my favorite authors were contributing, I knew I had to read it.  I'm so glad I picked this one up and all I can say is if you are a dog lover, you have to make time for this one.

Hoffman has gathered 15 authors who share they experience with a special dog or dogs in their lives.  Some are current family members, and some have passed but the love and dedication these authors have to their canine children is admirable.  The book starts off with Emily Henry's entry, who I love and I should have known she had the power to make me sob right off the bat.  Right of the bat she addresses the who "Does the dog die?" movement and why it is so important to people and then goes on to say that yes, the dog dies in her essay.  But it is such a touching tale.  There are also entries from people who weren't "dog people" until they were about dogs who drove their parents crazy but were still the best dogs ever.

Overall, I was surprised to see so many familiar authors here for the forward and afterward, it's obvious this project was one that was dear to Hoffman's heart.  So, stop reading my review and go out and find a copy of this book.  Settle down in a cozy spot and get ready to fill your heart and then get it ripped open. I finished this several days ago and have found myself thinking of all my children and some things I have learned from them so I will close by sharing a few of those precious memories.  

• Cicero taught me I had no clue about raising a puppy and then he taught me how to do it.
• Barkley taught me to never give up (he lived to be 16).
• Cooper taught me the biggest giants are often the gentlest (his nickname was Teddy Ruxpin because he was a big old teddy bear).
• Booker T taught me that even if you only catch one ball a year, it's how you celebrate it that matters. Oh, and that zombies are bad.
• Cassius taught me the bite is definitely worse than the bark and broke pieces of my heart that will never mend.
• Apollo taught me there's NEVER a good time to leave the park as well as that even though one dog never replaces another, they can make the journey more bearable.
• Ezekiel/Zekey taught me how to play because he can catch a ball 50 times a day and still want you to throw it again. 

MY RATING: 5 PAWS