It's Okay to Miss the Bed on the First Jump: And Other Life Lessons I Learned from Dogs [Bargain Price] [Paperback]

John O'Hurley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 30, 2007

A funny, profound book about the enduring wisdom of dogs, from the host of the enormously popular National Dog Show

Charming and hilarious, It’s Okay to Miss the Bed on the First Jump is more than a mere celebration of man’s best friend. In this lighthearted and reflective exploration of how and why dogs have served as some of our most valuable and enlightened teachers, well-known and well- loved actor/show host John O’Hurley (Seinfeld, Dancing with the Stars) shares lessons learned from his life with canine companions, including: Every 15 Minutes Is a New Day; Never Miss a Nap; When One Person Stops Petting You, Move On; A Cold Can of Meat Is Still a Feast; and You’re Only as Big as You Think You Are, to name a few.

“Dogs, after all, have pure hearts, trusting natures, a zest for living, noble characters, and an ability to take things in stride,” writes O’Hurley in the book’s introduction. “They can be counted on, and are pleasant companions. They know what’s important, always. How many humans do you know about which you could say the same?” At once poignantly moving and laugh-out-loud funny, It’s Okay to Miss the Bed on the First Jump is a book for the dog lover on everyone’s holiday shopping list.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John O’Hurley is the host of NBC’s The National Dog Show. He is well-known for his award-winning role as J. Peterman on Seinfeld, and as the ultimate champion of Dancing with the Stars. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Plume (October 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452288835
• ASIN: B0015MG26I
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (72 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #729,018 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best read with a dog in your lap., November 14, 2006

By 

gotta_hava_dog (Colorado United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: It's Okay to Miss the Bed on the First Jump: And Other Life Lessons I Learned from Dogs (Hardcover)

Having learned many life lessons from dogs myself, I naturally loved this book. Mr. O'Hurley's writing is a delight; full of fun and poignancy, as well. It's as open and honest as any dog you'll ever meet. Dogs have that effect on people. He writes, "On occasion, I have helped to heal them, and more often, they have helped to heal me." So do my dogs everyday. Being the sole caregiver for my elderly mother, my dogs keep me sane and focused. Without them, I could not do what I'm doing. Mr. O'Hurley is a true dog-person who writes from experience. This book makes my heart happy.

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a Wonderful... Dog's Life!, November 12, 2006

By 

Wantz Upon A Time Reviews (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: It's Okay to Miss the Bed on the First Jump: And Other Life Lessons I Learned from Dogs (Hardcover)

Whether you know him as J. Peterman from Seinfeld or for being crowned champion on Dancing with the Stars, John O'Hurley is a constant presence on the small screen. What you don't see off-camera are the furry faces that round out his life.

Since childhood, O'Hurley has been an avid dog lover. Looking back on the canine friends he's had through the years, he has learned valuable lessons that he shares in his new book, IT'S OKAY TO MISS THE BED ON THE FIRST JUMP: AND OTHER LIFE LESSONS I LEARNED FROM DOGS. Combining gentle wit with obvious affection for "man's [and woman's] best friend," O'Hurley illustrates surprisingly simple attitudes that humans would do well to emulate.

Each chapter is dedicated to a lesson. Some chapter names are; "Precious Gifts Come in Small Packages," "When a Dog Barks--Listen," "Own Your Own Fur," and so on. While each "lesson" may be apparent from its title, O'Hurley provides examples from both his life and the life of a dog (or three) he has known.

Sometime we, as humans, forget about the simplest, truest aspects of life. We get worked up over things that dogs know don't matter. There are eleven lessons in this book. If you glean even a little from it, maybe you'll be a bit happier. And: "If you're happy and you know it, wag your tail!"

Reviewed by Christina Wantz Fixemer

11/12/2006

4½-BOOKS on WUAT = 5-Stars on Amazon

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wooff!!! Dogs do get it . . . and Sometimes We Don't!, November 11, 2006

By 

Peter Thomas Senese - Author. ""A book is... (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: It's Okay to Miss the Bed on the First Jump: And Other Life Lessons I Learned from Dogs (Hardcover)

This is one book I think we all need to read: simple, humerous, and pretty much right on the mark with many views O'Hurley shares with his reader about some general, but important aspects of living. And O'Hurley is right when he points out that we can learn a great deal from dogs and their behaviour. Oh, I wish life was that simple, but nevertheless, he's right about:

We should view time and moments as special: Dogs view life in 15 Minute periods, and so small moments in a day can be seen as New Day;

'Sleep is a weapon' - stated repeatedly by Robert Ludlum in many of his novels: acted upon by dogs, who never miss a nap;

Life is filled with so much opportunity, and love, when openly willing to share it, is easier to obtain than you think. Dogs have it right: when a person stops petting you, it time to look for affection someplace else.

I could go on about the many clever points John O'Hurley makes in 'It's Okay to Miss the Bed on the First Jump: And Other Life Lessons I Learned from Dogs', but I have a much better suggestion: go out in pick this one up. When life becomes a bit more complex or you seem to lose your bearings for a moment . . . do what a dog would do. Outstanding. Wooff!