You Are a Dog : Life Through the Eyes of Man's Best Friend

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Summary: This witty, tender book is filled with goodness and grace.
Review: I am afraid of dogs and this fear is something intrinsic in me that I wish I could change. If I'd read Terry Bain's book "You Are A Dog" sooner - or better yet, if I'd had the book read to me when I was young after being traumatized by that great Dane who knocked me on my butt - I might be able to offer my face to a dog to lick. I know, now, what licking means to a dog. How else can they know you? From a distance? There is no distance with a dog. That's cats.

"They (your people) taste better than you do. Why do they taste so good? And furthermore, since they taste so good, why do they not lick themselves. It must not nag them as it nags at you. It seems to make no sense that they would not lick themselves, so when given the opportunity, when their skin is bare and you are nearby, you lick them. Some of them will tolerate this, but some of them will not. She Who Will Not Tolerate Licking will push you away and yell "Gross. Knock it off you stupid mutt." Whatever that means. You suspect she doesn't want you to lick her anymore,which still doesn't make any sense, so when given the opportunity, when her skin is bare and you are near, you will lick her. You are not deterred for long, since she often leaves the tastiest parts of her skin exposed, and you do not have the willpower to stay away. You want her to know how important it is to lick the places on her body that remain unlicked, and you will lick until she pushes you away again. "Are you stupid or something? Knock it off!" It is a kind of love-tap that she gives you. A gentle nudge. You know that this is her secret joy, so in a moment, you will begin again. Her guard is about to come down. She has almost forgotten that you are nearby. There it is. You see it. A sleeveless arm."

My fear has always seemed unfixable. I didn't grow up in a family that cared about dogs, (why didn't they?), so what little I could learn from the pets of friends and relatives was spotty, vicarious, start and stop. What I missed out on was not just having a dog to love, but being on the receiving end of dog love, which, if you read this gift of a book, you will understand to be pure, uncontrollable, constant but always fresh, never begrudging because dogs have nothing to hold back and everything to gain. And this seems a lesson that's not too late to learn.

When I finished "You Are A Dog" my heart felt pried open. Great books make you less afraid of yourself. They touch sad, dark places and offer you their warm hand. I went to the back porch and talked to Eddie, our chocolate Lab. "Hey, boy, what're you doing?" I opened my palm to him and he didn't bite, he licked, like it was nothing new, like I'd always been okay with this. It felt nice, wet, like forgiveness, except that he never held not-licking against me. What I understand now is that to Eddie, trust is grass, sniff, kibble, water, sky, birds, ball, fetch, more fetch, nap, wake, new day, cheese, his people, me.

Rating:
Summary: Funny, yet moving and oddly beautiful
Review: If you've ever known and loved a dog, you'll find a kindred spirit in this book, which captures the true essence of dogginess in a way that is both lighthearted yet oddly philosophical, and yes, beautiful. Those of us who do love dogs know the truth of their souls, and this book captures that, along with the true humor that is also dog. A book for you, and for every dog lover you know. I can't recommend it highly enough.

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Summary: This book is absolutely inspired!
Review: It will have you laughing and crying - and not just quiet little giggles, but all out `from the tips of your toes" laughter!

We attended a reading at our local bookstore. We were alternately rolling with laughter and crying at the tender moments. Anyone who's a dog lover will likely identify with many of ideas and stories put forth in this wonderful and touching book by Terry Bain.

We bought a few copies - one for us and some to give away to family and friends.

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Summary: I am not suprised.
Review: Terry Bain has captured the looks, feelings, emotions and even the demeanor of all the dogs I have had in the past. I read a passage and am so amazed I often say to myself, "now that is exactly what Snowflake, Chevy, Shorty, Sabel, would have done, did, looked, sounded or just plane dogged" and my feelings are of joy and filled with wonderful times with my dogs of the past and that dog of the present. I believe Terry has captured the sole of the pack leader, the family of the canine and I'll never be able to repay Terry for the enjoyment and memories he has written for all of us about our four legged friends. Thank you Terry, we love you. Thank your wife too, she must have seen some funny things go on when you were studying your dogs.

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Summary: A Review by She Who Laughed at the Book
Review: This book had me laughing out loud and looking at my own dogs - funny enough in their own right - in a whole new light. Mr. Bain has taken the dog psyche to a whole new level and if you thought you knew what your dog was thinking, well think again. This book will make you laugh, get the warm tinglies, and will have you refilling that water bowl with FRESH water (thank you very much) on a regular basis.

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Summary: I started giggling and couldn't stop
Review: This is one of those books that you begin to read and are immediately compelled to find someone to read an excerpt to so you can giggle together. If you read it on a bus, you might find yourself reading outloud to complete strangers.

If you are looking for a great gift for a dog loving friend - this is the answer! As a dog trainer and behavior consultant who looks at life through the eyes of dogs every day, I believe Terry has captured the essence of what it must be like to 'be' a dog.

-Carol A. Byrnes
Diamonds in the Ruff
www.diamondsintheruff.com