Customer Reviews

The Dog Diet, A Memoir: What My Dog Taught Me About Shedding Pounds, Licking Stress and Getting a New Leash on Life

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I loved this book! I really enjoyed reading it and I got some great dieting ideas (and life perspectives). For example, I am now implementing her idea of having a salad box. Actually, I have two of them that are about the size of shoeboxes that I bought for $1 each at the 99cent store.

Now, as soon as I buy my salad veggies, I clean them, chop or remove whatever leaves I need to, and put them in the salad boxes with a paper towel on top...and turn the box upside down (to let the extra moisture go into the paper towel).

Since I eat salads (with sprouts) every day, this has really helped me save time. Also, I find that I am throwing out less wilted lettuce and spinach or other salad veggies. So I am not wasting food and I am saving money.

This sweet book also shows how important animals can be in our lives...and that instead of complaining about having to clean up after them or take care of them...to realize...amoung other things...that you are burning more calories taking care of your pets...ha!

Thanks Patti for your inspiring book.

This a very cute book regarding a professional woman who after two bad relationships decides to get a dog. She adopts a dog from a shelter and it really changes her life for the better. The author tells how the dog helped her lose weight, by changing her eating habits and making her exercise more. The dog not only helps her lose weight, but also lose weight in a fun manner. The author has a very humorous style of writing. I found this book very enjoyable to read and I highly recommend it. Besides for a humorous read, this book also has some good diet and exercise tips.

After hearing an interview on the radio with Patti Lawson, I bought this book. The book showcased every bit of the wit and bubbly personality that I heard on the radio. Not only is the book funny, but her plan makes sense and it is easy to put into practice. What is more important is that it is REAL. If it worked for her, then it was worth a try for me. My dog goes crazy at the word "walk" and, at my house, that was a forbidden word to say - sometimes my wife and I would just spell it so the dog didn't hear and so we weren't "forced" to have to take him for a walk. However, since reading the book, I say the word "walk" much more frequently. This makes for a happier dog and a happier me. Now that I have started to enjoy the walks and the fresh air and the increased energy, I started to want to make positive changes to my life -such as my eating habits and my attitude. This book made me realize that my dog was more than just a pet, but that he could be a positive influence and role model in my life too. Thanks Patti!

This clever title caught my attention at the bookstore. When I flipped through the pages, I thought it looked like something I might enjoy since it was a story and not a diet plan, and some of the author's problems were ones I struggled with. Since it also came with innovative diet tips and recipes that seemed very easy to follow, I bought the book, and I'm very glad I did. It was all I hoped for and more. This is not an ordinary impersonal diet book loaded with science, chemistry, and a strict eating plan. It's a heartwarming and well-written story of how a woman who struggled with weight loss in the past found a way to lose weight without even trying, helped a rescue dog escape a horrible fate, and found a friend for life. Patti and Sadie had a rough start to their relationship but things got better and the pounds came off Patti with minimal effort as she walked and played with Sadie, and tried to find things to eat that Sadie wouldn't beg for. As most dogs do, Sadie changed Patti's life for the better and helped her lose the weight in a fun and healthful way. The salad box is a brilliant and time-saving idea and one I immediately adopted. Congratulations to Patti and Sadie for their accomplishments. This is a book that will help pets and their owners get in shape and live long and healthy lives together.

Patti Lawson examines her own life with honesty and gives the readers an insightful view of her metamorphosis from stress and unhappiness to the joy of living through the loving and caring for her beloved dog, Sadie. In so many ways I identified with the emptiness an accomplished life cannot fill and the error in thinking that food can. Patti found the answers to regaining her health and inner peace and shares with us a sustainable path to a healthier life, physically and emotionally. She gives us a positive uncomplicated approach to caring for ourselves in good times and bad, simple, tasteful and healthy options to our toxic eating patterns and a warm and humerous story of how a small dog caused so much disorder she adapted to survive and found herself thriving. Any dog lover will appreciate her story and commitment but the life lessons and suggestions are for us all and I highly reccommend it. This is also a book I'm giving as gifts to those "hard to buy for" and no one has been disappointed.

My best friend had recommended that I pick up a copy of this book. I had planned on picking up a copy of The Dog Diet shortly after it went on sale. I managed to find Patti's website and decided that I really wanted to see Patti and Sadie if I had a chance and pick up a signed copy. I managed to attend an event in Hurricane, WV. It was a fundraiser for the local dog shelter. Patti was supporting the shelter that helped her adopt Sadie. Giving back to those who helped her meet her best friend.
I am not an avid reader but couldn't seem to put this book down. It is a very enjoyable read. I found myself smiling and laughing while reading it. All of the situations that Patti discusses have happened to pet owners at one time or another. In this case, she has put those funny things in writing. Some of the situations will having you saying to yourself "all you need to do is". Patti and Sadie find their way and grow closer everyday through their journey.
When I reached the end of the book I was disappointed knowing that I would have to wait for a while before Patti releases another book. Enjoy everyday you live. Don't let the multitasking world we live in prevent you from seeing the beauty around you. As she says "lighten up". If you are a pet owner, your pet will enjoy the company and exercise. If you are not a pet owner and are thinking about owning one, visit the shelter and save a dogs life. He or she will be forever grateful to you once they have trained you properly.

I was looking for yet another diet book to try and stumbled upon "The Dog Diet". I love dogs, so I thought it was worth a look. The eating plan looked simple enough, but I was unprepared for the insight and enlightenment I received! I have laughed, envisioned Sadie's (the dog) expressions, and just thoroughly enjoyed this book. It has motivated me to eat a lot better. It's not a diet book - it's a "living" book, full of common sense ideas about how a different attitude and outlook can change your life. I have recommended it to everyone I talk to! It's easy reading and I guarantee it will change your thought process, if not your way of life. You'll look at your dog differently,too. . .or maybe get one!!

Reviewed by Kim Peterson for Reader Views (9/06)

Anyone who has ever dieted can relate to this book. Anyone who has ever owned a dog also can relate to this book. In our diet-driven country, Lawson has combined food obsession with adapting to dog ownership in a funny memoir that will resonate with many readers.

Lawson, like typical Americans, pushed for perfection and success. When it came to food, she tried every diet, sampled all the diet supplements, and collected exercise equipment. When her latest relationship ended, Lawson sank into a funk that left her feeling plump and lonely.

Trying to pull herself out of her misery, she impulsively stopped her convertible at PetSmart. Despite her neat-freak, driven personality, she reasoned that a dog would be good company and help her rejoin humanity. A shelter dog joined Lawson for "one night." Although, they experienced a rough start, Sadie eventually moved in permanently and taught Lawson some important life lessons.

Soon things began to shift in Lawson's life. Chocolate ceased to provide her comfort and Sadie supplied companionship. Lawson's pristine world became less perfect, but Sadie taught her to feel comfortable and to enjoy life. Lawson quit spending money on diet fads, yet the weight started melting away. That's when Lawson realized she was on "The Dog Diet."

Essentially, the diet consists of sensible eating and regular exercise, but with a twist. Lawson and Sadie developed "Dogercise," workouts that range from mealtime squats to leash triceps to tug-of-war. Each activity reworks a regular exercise to include a dog, which makes the endeavor more fun.

Thanks to Sadie's super smelling abilities, Lawson had to alter many of the foods she ate so Sadie wouldn't be interested. Her new criteria pushed her toward odorless and noiseless foods, which often turned out to be the healthy alternatives she was supposed to eat on her other diets. Throughout the book Lawson makes astute observations like: "Dogs make the best personal trainers" and "Dogs make some things harder, but everything better."

Lawson's lifestyle changed and so did her attitude. No longer seeking perfection, she learned to stress less and to relax more. Sadie taught her to find joy in the moment.

I chuckled many times as I read "The Dog Diet." I often debate whether that snack I want is worth disturbing our dog who will want some, too. Our Labrador's favorite food is carrots and some of her other tastes differ from Sadie's, but the principles are still the same--"Stay away from foods in loud plastic packaging."

When our dog moved in more joy and relaxation entered our home. Lawson and Sadie are right. "Sometimes what you're looking for is already in your own backyard."

Book received free of charge.

I could not put this book down till I devoured every word -and then I wished for more. This is genius. I am sure some smart filmmaker will make a movie of Patti Lawson's heartwarming love story, which she so generously shares with all of us. If only a fraction of the people who love the canines who own them read this book, it will be a mega-bestseller, and deservedly so.

I currently do not have a dog, but have in the past, including a wonderful yellow Lab. Reading about Patti and how she and Sadie found each other, I am looking forward to once again finding a four-legged "best friend."

The beauty of this book - there are actually many - is that it graphically illustrates, in a way that is entertaining, funny and memorable, that when you end the "pity party" you may not even realize you have thrown yourself - one that can last not for days but for decades - and make your days and nights about caring for someone or something outside yourself that needs you, everything changes in the most exciting, positive and wonderful way.

I could go on and on, but I want to leave room for the many other people who I am sure will want to heap praise on this singular accomplishment. If you read one book this year, make it The Dog Diet. You WILL lose weight, you will enjoy your life and possibily your dog if you have one, infinitely more. In an often sad world, this is quite the ray of sunshine.

I began reading this book while waiting for a flight, as I read, I found myself laughing with the author as her story unfolded. Before I realized it, the long wait flew by and I had to put the book down to board the airplane, the man who had been sitting next to me wanted to know what I was reading that was so funny! I shared with him what I had been reading and highly recommended it to him. Who doesn't want a better way to deal with stress and weight loss in our hectic, over extended lives? This book brings to life a realistic view of our disappointments and failures, at the same time gives the reader hope of moving beyond that and enjoying life each and every day with simple and managable techniques to overcome the struggle of
old habits and behaviors. It has inspired me to "ligthen up" and be a better "Mom" to my own dog, who is benefiting from all the advice from Patti and Sadie.
Finally a book with a sense of humor to enable us to try again, as well as the realization that we are not alone in the battle of diets and dating!
I highly recommend this book for anyone who needs a nudge to begin anew and try something different to succeed at losing weight and being happy, content and confident with themselves.
By the time I arrived at my destination, I felt empowered to begin eating healthy, to become more aware of the simple pleasures that life has to offer and to enjoy the moment that brings joy into the routine of life.
Maybe this book will enable all of us to stop and smell the roses, take some time to be good to our pets, and start enjoying the journey of this fast paced world!
I hope to hear more from Patti about her adventures with Sadie and the prospects of their future together.