Our Best Friends

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Summary: I could relate to many of the stories in this book
Review: I LOVED this book :) Yes, there were some sad stories. However, if you love animals AND love to hear other animal lovers' stories, this book is a terrific addition to your library. I could relate to many of the stories in this book. My husband bought me this book on the anniversary of losing our 2 eldest dogs ..... reading this book helped me deal with the horrible loss AND with the insensitive clods who said "they were just dogs and you wasted your money on adopting sick old dogs who needed expensive vet care"..... I recommend this book to animal lovers, especially those who have just experienced a loss.....

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Summary: I am one of the authors of this collection of dog stories.
Review: I wrote "The Life Retrievers." It is the autobiographical story of how my father's Labrador Retriever took care of me while my mother abused and severely neglected me when I was a toddler. Duchess also saved me from a charging black bear. I was a co-winner of Mike Capuzzo's "Great American Dog Contest." My story is referred to in the Kirkus review as "dogs who rescue others from abuse." Celebrity authors include Rudyard Kipling and James Herriot. This book ranks right up there with "All Creatures Great and Small." They are true stories of dogs who have greatly enriched ordinary peoples' lives. They are stories by ordinary people like myself whose relationships with their dogs were so extraordinary that they felt compelled to write them. The stories come straight from the dog owners' hearts. The premise of Mike Capuzzo's "Great American Dog Stories Contest" was that it move the reader to emotion. That is what this book will do. It's a 20 hanky book, but there are many laughs as well, such as "The Lobster Apso." Lynn Marie Harvey

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Summary: The book lives up to it's name. It does warm the heart.
Review: This book is really beautiful. It makes you laugh, it makes you cry. I could not put it down. If you are feeling down it will pick your spirts up. This is a book that I will read over and over again.

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Summary: TOO SAD!
Review: Unless you're a lot less emotional than I, don't read this! The stories were usually well-written, very personal and interesting. Which usually makes a great book. However, I was expecting cute little andecdotes of man's best friend. What I got instead was an unending tear-jerker.
One chapter, the one on canine heroism, was heartwarming. The rest, however, had every dog contract a horrible disease, become enfeebled or be involved in a terrible accident. If they weren't killed by a car, they were put down - with their owners holding their paws until the end.
I have a dog and he's my best friend. I've also had to put down another beloved dog after 15 years. So I understand the connection you feel even if others shake their heads and say 'its only a dog'. From that standpoint this book just depressed me. Know what you are getting into before you pick this one up! Make sure you are strong enough!