Book Review: 10 Secrets my Dog Taught Me

One of my favorite past time is reading, that’s if my life isn’t running amok. Needless to say, today you are in for another book review treat.

With a title like this “10 Secrets My Dog Taught Me”, you probably think is another how-to book. On the contrary, it isn’t so. In fact, this book is neither fiction nor non-fiction, but it’s definitely a very insightful and pleasurable read. And not mentioning is humorous too.

When we read many books about dogs (instructional or informational), most dog owners don’t usually follow through the steps that were layout before heading to the bookstore to get another one. I confess; I do it occasionally. I understand being an avid reader doesn’t qualify me from exemption. So when I saw the thickness of this little book, naturally I pick up a few more books which held my interest, I was determine to do just that - read, done, and next.

Geez, I couldn’t be more wrong than to judge its content by its size. Though it’s presented in a narrative manner but at the end of each chapter, Carlo summed it up in point-form for recap - kind of like the moral of the story is….

I’m going list a few pointers which I think are very beneficial for three different stages of dog ownership - soon-to-be, novice and old-timer.

• Why is it so crucial to gather as much information about the breed behavior before taking the plunge? (Looking at both the breeders and owners perspectives)
• How some breeders “accuse” you (especially to novices) of an animal abuser/neglect before the verdict? If you’re thinking that this book will list a bunch of questionnaires that breeders ask from buyers, then you’re in the wrong book. Even it doesn’t, I fear not. Any diligent and experience breeders still have ways to scan you. You can lie, but you can’t fool breeders.
• If you’re getting another dog as a companion for your current dog, what you think is suitable may not be as sound as you think? Personality crushed? But whose?
• What may seem so trivial to dog owners may no be so for the dogs?
• Dogs do communicate with humans! Did you really try to listen to your dog? This book shows us love and patient in dog’s viewpoint.
• Dealing with the unpleasant emotions when your dog going through his senior age and/or illnesses.

Although I finished this book in one afternoon (uninterrupted), the stories still fill me immensely even after I read it five weeks ago. I think this is a good sign for me not taking my dogs for granted. Wouldn’t you agree?

Book Review Rating: 4 paws out of 5

10 Secrets My Dog Taught Me : Life Lessons from a Man’s Best Friend - $7.59