“A warm, engaging, deceptively simple tribute to innate wisdom. May we all learn from such loveable teachers.”
— Dennis Palumbo – screenwriter My Favorite Year, author the Daniel Rinaldi mysteries
“A beautiful, heartfelt, and entertaining book, that gives the reader a deep understanding of the profound relationship between the human psyche and the souls of the other animals with whom we share this planet.”
— Linda Buzzell, co-editor Ecotherapy – Healing with Nature in Mind
From the Author:
- Dating Advice from a Crazy Dog Guy“Oh no, you’re not one of those, are you?!” We all know the phrase “crazy cat lady,” conjuring images of bathrobed bitties sprinkling cat chow into bowls as hordes of filthy yowling tabbies descend. And we hear more and more of “crazy cat guys” too. But there’s not much talk ... read more
- Unconditional Love – As Taught by the Four-Legged MastersAnother Valentine’s Day is upon us – a day when it often appears that everyone else in the world has a perfectly happy committed relationship based in deep, abiding, and playful love. In other words, a day when most of us writhe in disappointment. It’s not that we’re saying we’re ... read more
- Straying into a Better New YearHow would you like you like to spend 2016 as contented, as centered, as… your dog? As a psychotherapist, I spend a lot of time dealing with people and our big-brained problems. On most issues, like how to create a telephone that uses 3D touch to show birds ... read more
From 
- Danish asks: I am very confused about what to talk with this girl I’m interested in, as sometimes I used to be topic-less and blank when talking with her, and sometimes I don’t text her for 2 to 3 days, and I think this is not good because it is very important to spend time with her (at least talk with her) because already we are long distance. So can you please tell me what to talk about with her because we already know basic stuff about each other. What topics should I bring up next?Hi Danish – This is so much more common a concern than people realize. Yes, there are those folks out there who are just great at conversation, and always come up with interesting topics, but most people are a mixture of shy, nervous, or simply unable to think of ... read more
- inditan asks: I want to ask you about friendships. I have a lot of friends at school (I don’t mean to brag, sorry!), and my social life is pretty much awesome. I have a few best friends that are really close to me. One of them is a girl named S. The problem between us is that she doesn’t talk about her problems often. She’s my only best friend whom I share all my secrets with, she shares hers as well but she doesn’t share her problems with me. And I’m worried that maybe she doesn’t trust me, or maybe it was because something I said to her. I don’t want her to feel alone when dealing with her problems. She’s had anorexia a few years back and that was a serious issue she hasn’t let go of yet. I’m really worried about her Shirelle. what should I do?Hi inditan – Okay, there are two issues here. And I want to get the first one out of the way first. I am no expert on eating disorders. As a dog, I’m always looking for food; but because I’m so active, I’ve never had a weight ... read more
- PERFECTION asks: Do love letters work? I mean do they make a difference somehow?Hi PERFECTION – What a funny question! You’ve written me some WONDERFUL comments, and I’ve told you how happy they make me. So you KNOW love letters work! But I’m guessing you’re meaning a different sort of “work.” When you write me, all you want is to express ... read more
- Ruxar asks: I feel I’m too needy and get upset when my boyfriend makes pointless excuses of not seeing me and it becomes a huge fight. I can’t get over things quickly, so right now, even though we ended the night on a good note, this morning he’s saying he’ll take time to be okay and all that. I just feel scared because last time when my ex fought with me and he said he wanted time, he left me. I can’t eat or sleep right. Am I overthinking or maybe I should just let it be? I feel I’m needy and I want to stop being like this.Hi Ruxar – I always have a problem with people being called “too needy.” I guess I take it personally (if that’s the right word). You see, we dogs are so affectionate, and so loyal, and care so much about how our people are doing and making them ... read more
- Free one asks: My girlfriend is loyal to me but she’s talking very freely with other guys? And I’m feeling very possessive and even having anger problems, so what should I do?Hi Free one – I can really see both sides of this issue. On one hand, if my human friend Handsome comes home and I can smell that he’s been petting other dogs, I find that exciting! I sniff him all over, lick him a lot – he’s just ... read more
- PERFECTION asks: There’s a girl I’m talking with, and she seems to like me back, but I’m scared that one day everything will STOP, she’ll stop talking to me, seeing me and the like. I’m scared that if I stop communicating with her she might forget about me. I’m scared that she might even think I’ve lost interest. I’m scared that all of these will end into nothingness.Hi PERFECTION – I can relate to your worries, though I also think you’re worrying about nothing. You see, just about every day, Handsome leaves me at home alone. He heads off to work or whatever, leaving me locked in the yard. And I have no guarantee that ... read more
- Bart asks: I have done things a long time ago, but I have changed! Years later people bring up these things and it makes me very angry. Here I am interviewing for an important job and people keep throwing my mistakes at me. Why do they do this, and how should I respond!Hi Bart – I certainly understand your frustration. People are always mistrusting me because of something I did months ago, or maybe last night. But hey, in dog days that’s a week, right? But it’s even worse for them to mistrust me because of something I did, or something ... read more
- Akol asks: I have been with a married man who failed to have kids with his first wife. I then gave him three kids. But I want to get married and he does not stay with me, he stays with his wife. Now I am pregnant. I don’t know whether he is my man or not. I truly want to get married. The lady knows that I exist. But the bitter truth is though he says he does love me, I struggle alone. He does not support the children and me in the way he is supposed to, or fulfil his promises. I had forgotten him for a full year and moved on, till he came back again and promised to change and pay fees for the children, which he gave a half – till now. I think I need to be bold and stand on my word. Telling him that I need also to get married, and not to be a concubine.Hi Akol – In the book that Handsome wrote about me, he tells about a relationship he was in, where he was the “other man,” and how it put him through absolute torment. As much as a human might like to believe they’re independent and don’t need validation ... read more
- PERFECTION asks: How do you keep the faith, knowing that there’s nothing for you to hold on?Hi PERFECTION – Well… to your question about keeping the faith when there’s nothing to hold on to… that’s the only faith that matters. Whether it’s faith in a religion or faith in the goodness of people or faith in the future, it’s only faith if you still ... read more
- Danish asks: The grandmother of this girl I really like is in very critical condition in a hospital, so we can’t talk properly. I feel very bad for her and want to give her my emotional support. Can u please tell me what can I talk with her about, in this time when her family is in trouble?Hi Danish – I’m awfully sorry about her grandmother. I hope she’s not suffering. This is a very tough situation – for her of course, but also for you. The fact is there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It’s just about what she needs at any particular time. When ... read more
- PERFECTION asks: Shirelle, a friend told me. “You shouldn’t make someone be your world.” I don’t quite get this thought, and I’ve tried for years already. Can you explain this to me? How bad is it to make someone your world? Is that bad even?Hi PERFECTION – Well I’m going to sound like a hypocrite here, because what I say is going to be very different from the way that I live. You see, as you know, I’m a dog. And we are genetically programmed to be extremely devoted to one person ... read more
- LittleGirlBigAppetite asks: It’s close to one whole year since I broke up with my boyfriend. After the breakup, I did everything possible to move on. Blocked him on social media, hung out with my friends a lot, concentrated on my studies and also did the things that you’d told me to do in your previous letter. It all went well for 5 months and I even forgave him for ruining our relationship, though my feelings for him were still there. So therefore I unblocked him. But he texted me back in April and we agreed to be friends. Slowly as days went by my feelings and hopes of getting back together got stronger. He too confessed that he still has feelings for me, though I find it hard to believe. As he stays in a city 2 hours away from me, I knew that meeting up wasn’t possible anytime soon due to our busy schedules (one of the reasons why we broke up). Plus I always have this nagging feeling that he might be seeing other girls. So to save myself from all the pain all over again, I told him that we should stop talking in August. Its October now, and I am still hurting. I can’t seem to stop thinking about him no matter what. There’s always this empty, hollow feeling inside me and I’m worried that I might go into depression. It has already started affecting my sleep. Is there anything I can do apart from the regular ‘how to move on from your ex activities’ that might help?Hi LittleGirlBigAppetite – I sure hope this guy appreciates how much you feel for him! Even if nothing ever happens between you two again, it’s pretty amazing to have someone care that much. I’m very complimented that you took my previous letter so strongly. And I’m glad you ... read more
- PERFECTION asks: I’m continuing to make moves for the girl I’ve always wanted to be with me, and so far everything seems to fall right in. But we don’t have classes anymore and I have a job already, so what worries me is that I won’t be able to see her frequently. I’m finding ways to maintain communication with her, but I’m also afraid that she might get annoyed. What do you think I should do? I get this feeling like I want to call her but I’m afraid she might get mad. Though all the things that I have done seem to have a positive feedback lately. She’s sweet in person, but in text messages or chat most of the time she’s not. Should I worry? Is that a bad sign?Hi PERFECTION – Well, I have good news and bad news. The good news is that you’ve been doing everything right, and are in exactly the place you’ve been wanting to be. The bad news is that now there are so many unknowns. It’s like when you’re looking for ... read more
- Bernice asks: I have a boyfriend, but suddenly felt in love with another person who also has a girlfriend. We both felt in love and had an affair. Now I’m confused if the new guy loves me, because he treats me good and he claims he loves me, but we are both dating. What should I do?Hi Bernice – What a situation! Wow! Well of course I can’t answer your fundamental question – how he feels about you. But I can comment on the situation you’re in. It’s a very tough one. For two main reasons. First, of course, it’s hard for either ... read more
- G asks: I’ve been in a relationship for the past year or so. I do love the guy I’m dating but recently I have been overthinking a lot and thinking about taking a break. I get contradictory thoughts: one which says that I love him and another which says that it’s fading away. I don’t know what to do.Hi G – The big question here is what exactly you mean by “break.” For example, I sleep on Handsome’s bed, but every once in a while, I feel like sleeping on the floor for a few hours. Then in the middle of the night I’ll jump back ... read more