A Search for the Perfect Dog

by Gary Shiebler

A delightful chronicle of one man's search for the ideal canine companion--and of the inspiring lessons he learned about love, loyalty, compassion, and trust along the way.



For many, life is a constant search for perfection--in themselves, their work, their families. For Gary Shiebler, life has been one long search for the perfect dog. In a poignant and immensely entertaining narrative, he reflects on the dogs that have touched his life--from the strays his mother adopted during his childhood to the myriad hounds he has owned as an adult and cared for as an animal shelter educator.



With deep feeling and frequent humor, Shiebler vividly describes the joys, responsibilities, and heartbreaks of pet care and ownership. At the same time, he leads the reader on an inspiring journey of understanding and acceptance, for as Shiebler faces the challenges that each dog brings, he learns valuable lessons not only about being humane but about being human.



Like the beloved books about dogs by James Herriot and Roger Caras, A Search for the Perfect Dog illuminates the special magic that exists between dog lovers and their four-legged friends--and the rewards that unconditional love can bring into all our lives.

Genres: Dogs, Animals, Memoir

144 pages, Hardcover

First published October 6, 1997

Reviews

[Lyzette Wanzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful little book! I managed to cry only during the Canyon chapter. For someone who loves dogs as much as I do, that's saying a LOT! This author is a very fine writer, too, especially in the way we braids together dog stories with childhood memories, muses on fatherhood and marriage, and the matrix of disappointments and joys in his own life. Highly recommend if you are a dog lover!

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute little book about dogs the author has owned and known via his work in a shelter. Given that we have two Golden Retrievers and a Golden mix (plus a Doberman), I not only laughed out loud but read aloud to my husband most of the last chapter - about his Golden Retriever. Classic!

[Rick Vickers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give it a four if he went into just a little more detail on each dog especially the ones he owned

[Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fast, readable book, A Search for the Perfect Dog devotes each chapter to a different dog Gary has known in his life. Each chapter is a different lesson about life and loving dogs - such as how you can't control a child or a dog's thirst for adventure, or that you can't force yourself into the heart of a dog or a people of another culture - that it takes time.

My main trepidation in reading this book was that books and movies about/with dogs often end in heartbreak. I feel that Gary purposefully does not always give the reader a clear idea of what happens to the dogs at the animal center. But head's up the second to last chapter is a heart wrencher. But worth it.

[A. R. Kalapala · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading autobiographies of people just going about life and learning along the way to give us (the readers) the insight they've taken away from living. However, I liked this one just that much more because it was about dog💗

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet recollections of the dogs in this authors life.

[Adelaide Mackenzie Fuss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read. Sentimental. I recommend it.

[Katiem · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yeah, it was ok.

I can't help but feel that the author is a jerk, which somewhat ruins the experience for me. But it's a quick and easy read, and if you like dogs then you know it's up your alley.

[Stephanie A. · Rating 2 out of 5]

It sounds appealing in every way, but I found the writing dry.

[Yihan.wang · Rating 3 out of 5]

soso.