Book Review: Really Important Stuff My Dog Has Taught Me
After writing Really Important Stuff My Kids Have Taught Me, Cynthia realized that her lifelong love of dogs, and her two playful spaniels in particular, also had life lessons to teach her—so, she decided to compile a book full of simple but beautiful life lessons she learned from her spaniels.
Each page has some type of lesson combined with an accompanying photo of the dog illustrating the lesson. For example, on one page, there is a picture of spaniels playing in the snow with the accompanying quote: “There’s no such thing as ‘bad’ weather.”
The book does not consist of long texts but short sentences in large print followed by a picture. This makes it an easy read and something that even children will enjoy just for the pictures.
Since its publication, this book has become a New York Times, Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, and Indie Bestseller.
Book Stats
The book was published on Amazon on September 23, 2014 and now has over 400 reviews with a positive rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars.
It consists of 176 pages with ten chapters:
1. Joy is meant to be shared
2. Love is an action word
3. It’s the challenges that make life interesting
4. Strive for just enough
5. Be your own champion
6. Appreciate life’s simple pleasures
7. Contribute to the pack
8. Let it go
9. Every day is the best day
10. Age gracefully
Each chapter has a theme with accompanying life lessons and pictures of dogs illustrating the life lesson. Some are more serious than others, but it is generally full of light and uplifting lessons and hilarious or cute pictures of dogs being dogs.
What People are Saying
With 442 ratings and 91% of those being five stars, it is safe to say that most readers really enjoyed Cynthia’s book.
In an editorial review by Coastal Canine Magazine, the editor comments: “Really Important Stuff My Dog Has Taught Me is tender, funny, warm, and utterly inspiring. Pairing an irresistible photograph with just the right sentiment, every page delivers a life lesson that appeals as much to our hearts as our minds.”
In one five-star review titled “Touching thoughts to inspire!” the reviewer comments: “Fantastic gift for anyone, but especially dog lovers. Incredible sayings & thoughts to lift and inspire.”
Another reviewer in her five-star review titled “Much more than wonderful pix!” said:
A lot of books are filled with heartwarming photos. This book certainly has those, but it also has uplifting real-life stories, briefly told. It was given to me by a friend. I bought two as gifts for dog-loving friends. It's the kind of book I go through over and over, sometimes with laughter, and always with my heart touched.
There are only a couple one-star reviews. One such reviewer, in her review titled “Disappointing Support of Animal Use,” noted:
While I enjoyed a lot of this book, the continued support of animal use really took away from it for me. For example in the attached pictures where the author is glorifying the use of dogs in wars humans started. It seems quite inconsistent to talk about respect for them while at the same time forcing them into violent situations where they may be killed - with no consent from them.
We can absolutely learn a lot from our fellow animals when we give them the chance. Perhaps the most important lesson we can learn from them is that they are all unique individuals who it is morally wrong to breed, use, or kill.
However, most reviews can be summed up by one reviewer’s simple four-star review that the book is: “sweet and touching.”
Final Verdict
With numerous five-star reviews and a best-selling author at the helm, it is safe to say that this is a book worth buying. Just keep in mind that it is not meant to be filled with deep philosophical life lessons but fun and simple lessons. This book would make a great gift for dog lovers out there and, because of the many pictures, it can even be a fun book for children to go through
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