Customer Reviews

My Life with George: What I Learned about Joy from One Neurotic (and Very Expensive) Dog (Wheeler Hardcover)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

My life with George is Judith Summers' story of the loss and despair she felt after the death of her husband and father within the space of two weeks. Although she still had her son, life felt empty. However, that soon changed when George, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel bounced into her life. George's loving personality filled some of the emptiness that both she and her son felt. However, living with George had its drawbacks as well as his care was so time consuming that it almost became a full time job.

This book attracted me and I had to read it as soon as I could but at the back of my mind was the comparison to the book Marley and Me by John Grogan. I thought that this book would pale in comparison but I was wrong. Both stories are about the love between a pet and his owner but even more so about loyalty and love between two living creatures.

The book is interesting, but George plays a surprisingly small role. Even though he's got his name in the title, there are several long stretches where George is absent. The book is really more of a recent biography about the author with several supporting characters -- it could have almost as easily been called, "My Life with Joshua" (her son).

In the end, all I really know about George is that he loves to eat human food and shred paper.

I had hoped for "Marley & Me" with Marley replaced by a Cavalier, but that's not what I found here.

Anyone who is going through the process of deciding whether or not to add a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or any other type of dog to their family should read this book! It will help them understand, through the author's experiences, ALL of the requirements and responsibilities plus joys and sorrows that sharing your home with an animal can actually entail. It is proof that the challenges and costs are all worth it in the end.

If one is a type of person who can learn from other people's mistakes, there are some great lessons for potential dog "parents" in this book. Experienced dog people could find themselves relating to but frustrated with the author over her way of handling George's "issues". Fortunately, they will find themselves laughing and crying with her too.

The title of this book is very accurate; it is about her life WITH George, not just about the beautiful little dog on the cover. Reading this would also be helpful to anyone who has lost a spouse to illness. My heart just ached for the author and her son.

I thought this book was written about my Cavalier who is named "Georgiegurl". I could not put the book down after reading the first few pages and then never wanted it to end. I laughed, cried and most of all, loved every real description of the Cavaliers quirky and captivating ways. It would make a great movie. I have purchased it for my dog friends and they experienced the same. Great read.
M.L.

The book makes for not just a good laugh, but cleverly interwoven into the story are little nuggets of useful information for any cavalier owner. For the non cavalier owner, an open and no holds barred look at life and what shades it can assume after the passing of a loved one. Wittily written and thoughtfully provocative in terms of how life goes on.

I got this book as a gift because I own a Cavalier! I thought this story was very warm and thoughtfully written. It is about a woman, Judith, who loses her husband at a young age and has to maneuver life with an 8 year old son. The son begs for a dog and mom gives in. Little does she realize that this dog will soon take over her life! I know some other reviewers said that they didn't like this book as much because George isn't necessarily the MAIN character and isn't featured in every chapter. The book was more about Judith's life and how she deals with the loss of her husband, how she raises her son, and how she appreciates the unconditional love of her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, George. I loved reading this light-hearted book because I have my own Cavalier and so many times I caught myself laughing at George's antics! I also said several times, "Oh, my dog is JUST like that!" It was such an easy read and very touching. You will especially love this if you own a little lapdog!

This story, for the likes of myself, a truly passionate Cavvie owner, is so 'familiar' and yet continually enlightening and heartwarming. This little guy is not an easy subject as he gets himself into so many scrapes over the years, and I found myself regretting reaching the end of the story, wondering what else happened to him afterwards. There is something so special about this breed (not half biased!) that I feel just about any Cavvie lover and owner could write a beatiful story about their own little 'friend' and we would all love reading every page. George's mum has endeared him to so many even that I know of myself who have been so keen to get hold of this book. He's a real winner! Love you George!

I just finished the book and am wishing for an update on the family and of course George. As a Cavie owner I fell in love with George. How Judith found her way through an impossible time in her life intact and content even is admirable. I look forward to reading her other books.

hum i think we LOST George....this book isnt about it george its about this womans dating and everything else but george but mostly about her dates not good

I was attracted to this books cover and thought it might be a great read...BUT I was very disapointed!!! The book was extremly boring and just seemed to ramble from page to page. It just seemed to be a reflection of her late husband rather than george! Not to mention much complaining of his vet bills. If you havve a pet than you have vet bills get over it! It wasn't a good book period.