Book Review: My Dog Is Better At This Than Me
I’ve seen a few articles and social media posts saying that book reviews are dying out, which is unfortunate for many reasons, one of which being readers might miss out on gems like My Dog Is Better at This Than Me: Life Lessons from the Couch Cushing Philosopher by B.K. Larrikin.
This is a sponsored post, however, the following are my own honest thoughts and reflections on the book. This page also contains affiliate links. For those purchases, the Gilmore Book Club receives a small commission at no extra cost to you- thanks!
While the title gives you a great summary, this is so much more than a “self-help book disguised as a love letter to a dog.” At a low point in the author’s life, they adopted a dog, Rosie, who taught him more about being present and living life to the fullest than a $300 wellness class did. And why not look to man’s best friend for help? Our furry friends are, after all, with us more than any life coach or therapist and therefore able to influence our thoughts and actions on a daily basis.
“We learned to divide our attention into seventeen thin slices and distribute them across our responsibilities like butter over too much bread.”
Structured like many self-help books, each chapter explores a certain canine life lesson, ending with a summary of the chapter’s main points and small assignments to help you realize the lessons in your own life. From extolling the virtues of naps and walks to the importance of being vulnerable and of creating community, My Dog Is Better at This Than Me treats the reader to a well-balanced menu of puppy prose, self-reflection, expert information, and small moments that can have a big impact. It’s enjoyable to read in the moment, but the potential impact of putting these small tips into practice is what takes My Dog Is Better at This Than Me to the next level.
“The rain rewrites the sidewalk.”
I’ve read my fair share of self-help books, and accessing their ability to translate from the page to everyday life is always crucial. One of my favorite aspects of My Dog Is Better at This Than Me is the accessibility and achievability of its life lessons. No luring the reader into purchasing pricey classes or equipment, no shaming for wherever you’re at in your journey, no Pinterest-perfect portraits of how your life will look after reading this book- just manageable suggestions and practical goals. Some assignments, such as literally shaking your body like a dog shaking off water, might feel a bit silly, but the end results, a calmer body, are irrefutable. I also found myself setting a timer to give myself time to do absolutely nothing, as the book recommends, and felt more focused and grounded when I returned to my work.
“I diagnosed the situation. The prescription is hedgehog.”
While the content in the three appendices might not be for everyone, I always value extra content, particularly recommended reading. I especially appreciate the “dog translation” paired with each resource, giving you a Rosie-fied summary of what each text contains. My only notes concern a few instances of repetitive phrasing that didn’t seem intentional and the sequencing of the conclusion and epilogue. This book contains many funny anecdotes, but also recounts stories from the author’s depression. It’s imperative to show the true ups and downs of life, and this heart-heavy inclusion is necessary for a truthful portrayal and mostly well balanced with the other, more light-hearted content. However, I think the book as a whole would have benefited from swapping the epilogue and the conclusion to end on a more optimistic note, in keeping with the predominant tone.
My Dog Is Better at This Than Me is a humorous, down-to-earth self-help guide for anyone looking to make the most of life. A great gift for those who love dogs (and even for those who don’t!) and a perfect book to add to your TBR or Goodreads list if you’re looking to savor the simple joys of life. I can also see this as a book recommendation for book club- especially for wellness or self-help/non-fiction themed groups.
For me, a mark of a good book also lies in the response to whether I’d read other books from the author; in this case, the answer is yes. Larrikin’s next book in this series, My Cat Couldn’t Care Less, will use a feline inspiration to examine topics like boundaries and independence- something cats excel at! As a cat lover myself, I’m looking forward to this next installment.
“That walk is the destination. That nap is the achievement. That belly rub is the answer, even when the question is complicated.”
