What do you think?
Rate this book
Because of a Dog: How an Enchanted Italian Village Mended a Broken Heart
One dog's love. One man's journey.
When Matthew Sigman's beloved dog, Augie, died, his world fell apart. His boyfriend broke up with him. His work dried up. Even the ceiling of his West Village apartment collapsed. Heartbroken and adrift, Matthew did the only thing he could—he ran.
An impulsive escape to Europe didn't lead to the cafés of Paris or the islands of Greece. Instead, thanks to a fluke in an Airbnb map, he landed in Quarna, a remote Italian mountain village seemingly hidden from tourists—and from time itself. There, amid winding cobblestone streets and alpine silence, Matthew stumbled into an unlikely friendship and madcap adventures with an exuberant innkeeper, Valerio, and discovered the warmth of a community that welcomed him as one of their own.
In Because of a Dog, Matthew traces a journey from profound grief to unexpected renewal, from isolation to connection. With wit, poignancy, and hard-won insight, this memoir is a reminder that sometimes, when all seems lost, it takes a village to mend a broken heart.
When Matthew Sigman's beloved dog, Augie, died, his world fell apart. His boyfriend broke up with him. His work dried up. Even the ceiling of his West Village apartment collapsed. Heartbroken and adrift, Matthew did the only thing he could—he ran.
An impulsive escape to Europe didn't lead to the cafés of Paris or the islands of Greece. Instead, thanks to a fluke in an Airbnb map, he landed in Quarna, a remote Italian mountain village seemingly hidden from tourists—and from time itself. There, amid winding cobblestone streets and alpine silence, Matthew stumbled into an unlikely friendship and madcap adventures with an exuberant innkeeper, Valerio, and discovered the warmth of a community that welcomed him as one of their own.
In Because of a Dog, Matthew traces a journey from profound grief to unexpected renewal, from isolation to connection. With wit, poignancy, and hard-won insight, this memoir is a reminder that sometimes, when all seems lost, it takes a village to mend a broken heart.
352 pages, Paperback
Published August 11, 2026
About the author
Matthew Sigman
2 books18 followersMatthew Sigman is a prize-winning music journalist who explores the creative process of composers, performers, directors, and behind-the-scenes professionals in the performing arts. A three-time recipient of the ASCAP Deems Taylor Award, he has served as editor-in-chief of Symphony and Opera America magazines and has contributed features, interviews, criticism, and commentary to Opera News, American Theatre, Chorus America, Classical Music, and NPR’s Performance Today.
Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, he received a B.S. from Georgetown University and an MBA from the Wharton School.
An avid traveler, a serious amateur chef, and a ferocious Scrabbler, he lives in New York City’s West Village.
Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, he received a B.S. from Georgetown University and an MBA from the Wharton School.
An avid traveler, a serious amateur chef, and a ferocious Scrabbler, he lives in New York City’s West Village.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 17, 2026
This is a story about a man and his dog, Auggie, narrated by the author. The main character grapples with long-term loneliness, his heart hungry for love and companionship—if not in a human, then in a canine partner. We follow his adventures with Auggie, including time spent at the beach in the Hamptons, where he eventually scatters Auggie's ashes.
After losing Auggie suddenly without the chance to say a final goodbye, he delves into various cultural traditions to honor lost companions. Needing a way to process his grief, he creates his own ritual path to navigate life after great loss and rediscover joy. This healing journey ultimately leads him to Italy, and I loved the rich tidbits about Italian food, culture, and history woven into his experience as an art journalist and writer setting out to capture the town.
While I expected the book to focus more directly on his bond with Auggie, it turned out to be much more about his personal journey through grief and self-discovery following the loss. Although it didn't keep me completely hooked the entire time, I thoroughly enjoyed those specific cultural and travel elements, and it carries a lovely message overall.
*(Thank you, Sourcebooks Audio | Sourcebooks/ NetGalley for this ALC)
After losing Auggie suddenly without the chance to say a final goodbye, he delves into various cultural traditions to honor lost companions. Needing a way to process his grief, he creates his own ritual path to navigate life after great loss and rediscover joy. This healing journey ultimately leads him to Italy, and I loved the rich tidbits about Italian food, culture, and history woven into his experience as an art journalist and writer setting out to capture the town.
While I expected the book to focus more directly on his bond with Auggie, it turned out to be much more about his personal journey through grief and self-discovery following the loss. Although it didn't keep me completely hooked the entire time, I thoroughly enjoyed those specific cultural and travel elements, and it carries a lovely message overall.
*(Thank you, Sourcebooks Audio | Sourcebooks/ NetGalley for this ALC)
August 10, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced audiobook in exchange for a review.
This book sucked me in! It’s the perfect memoir for both dog lovers and people who have wanderlust and love Italy. The author, Matthew Sigman, tells the story of his life after his beloved dog dies and his long term relationship ends. Matthew needs to “hit the reset button” on his life and he goes to Italy to do it. He weaves together memories of his beloved dog with new adventures in the Italian town of Quarna.
Matthew is a writer by profession and I loved hearing about his life, his love for his dog, and his adventures in Italy. He writes and narrates in a way where I never wanted to stop listening.
This book sucked me in! It’s the perfect memoir for both dog lovers and people who have wanderlust and love Italy. The author, Matthew Sigman, tells the story of his life after his beloved dog dies and his long term relationship ends. Matthew needs to “hit the reset button” on his life and he goes to Italy to do it. He weaves together memories of his beloved dog with new adventures in the Italian town of Quarna.
Matthew is a writer by profession and I loved hearing about his life, his love for his dog, and his adventures in Italy. He writes and narrates in a way where I never wanted to stop listening.
August 14, 2026
If you like memoirs, stories of (dog) love, and tales of redemption and revival, you will love this book about the author, the memory of his special dog Augie, and the magic of a small village called Quarna. Matthew Sigman, who, before meeting Augie, lived the hard-driving and career-focused life to which many of us aspire - undergraduate and graduate schooling in elite universities, executive corporate positions, and international travel - decided to take a gap year and tick items off his bucket list, including acquiring a dog. His fateful adoption of a gangly, clever puppy transforms Matthew's life, permitting him to appreciate his surroundings, his family and his life aspirations in a new and profound way. Augie's death after 18 years of companionship becomes a catalyst for a new phase of self-discovery; this time forged in a forgotten little hamlet located in Northern Italy. This book is a reminder that embracing unknown experiences and new people later in life is rejuvenative and serves as a tribute to those whom you have loved in the past.
August 13, 2026
Because of a Dog, by Matthew Sigman, is probably the first audiobook that I've read in many, many years, so that may alter how I perceived it, versus someone else. This book was narrated by the author, which at times seems worked well, and other times...not so much. Let's start with the text itself.
The book tells the story of Matthew, who having lost his beloved Augie the dog, leading to severe distress, leading to the loss of his romantic relationship, ultimately decides to travel to a small area of Italy, where he was taken in, over time, as one of the honorary locals. Like you probably are, if you're considering reading this book, I'm a huge dog lover whose mental health relies way too much on my mutt, so I could relate to the trauma. The writing itself, as well as the narration, was at it's peak whenever the topic was Augie. At other times in the story, I'm not so sure how I'd feel about Matthew as an individual, and the story sometimes didn't seem to be occurring in any particular order, but as long as the topic always turned back to Augie, it was ok.
As I said, Matthew's narration was most poignant when he was talking about his love for Augie and describing their relationship and their history. When the topic was something else, sometimes the narration seemed both somewhat bored and boring. Other times, his narration was full of life and entertaining. There were points where it sounded like the recording had been stopped then resumed, or perhaps dubbed over. There were definitely things in the book that would work well reading it, but I didn't feel worked so well as an audiobook. For instance, repeated lines that work okay when you're reading to drive home a point, but as a listener felt awkward and unnecessarily repetitive. I enjoyed the detail about Italy, but when Matthew used Italian words, I sometimes I had a hard time following the different sounds and words that I wasn't familiar with; for me, it would be easier seeing those print for me.
This would have been a fun enough read, especially to somebody who's a dog lover and really can empathize with the journey that the loss of a dog can set you on. If you've recently lost a beloved companion, take some time before reading this. I ultimately have kind of mixed feelings about the book itself and the narration, but I appreciate the chance to have checked it out. So thank you to Sourcebooks Audio and Netgalley for letting me check it out early in exchange for an unbiased review!
The book tells the story of Matthew, who having lost his beloved Augie the dog, leading to severe distress, leading to the loss of his romantic relationship, ultimately decides to travel to a small area of Italy, where he was taken in, over time, as one of the honorary locals. Like you probably are, if you're considering reading this book, I'm a huge dog lover whose mental health relies way too much on my mutt, so I could relate to the trauma. The writing itself, as well as the narration, was at it's peak whenever the topic was Augie. At other times in the story, I'm not so sure how I'd feel about Matthew as an individual, and the story sometimes didn't seem to be occurring in any particular order, but as long as the topic always turned back to Augie, it was ok.
As I said, Matthew's narration was most poignant when he was talking about his love for Augie and describing their relationship and their history. When the topic was something else, sometimes the narration seemed both somewhat bored and boring. Other times, his narration was full of life and entertaining. There were points where it sounded like the recording had been stopped then resumed, or perhaps dubbed over. There were definitely things in the book that would work well reading it, but I didn't feel worked so well as an audiobook. For instance, repeated lines that work okay when you're reading to drive home a point, but as a listener felt awkward and unnecessarily repetitive. I enjoyed the detail about Italy, but when Matthew used Italian words, I sometimes I had a hard time following the different sounds and words that I wasn't familiar with; for me, it would be easier seeing those print for me.
This would have been a fun enough read, especially to somebody who's a dog lover and really can empathize with the journey that the loss of a dog can set you on. If you've recently lost a beloved companion, take some time before reading this. I ultimately have kind of mixed feelings about the book itself and the narration, but I appreciate the chance to have checked it out. So thank you to Sourcebooks Audio and Netgalley for letting me check it out early in exchange for an unbiased review!
August 5, 2026
Lovely memoir and a love letter to dogs, travel, community, and food. Super easy reading and quite a comforting story! I found myself moved, wanting to visit Italy again, and holding my rescue dog a little tighter. 🥰 Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
August 15, 2026
”But, here was another element of the story brewing in my head. How improbable that a music journalist, escaping grief, would stumble upon a musical instrument workshop in a hamlet in the Alps.”
Anyone who has ever had close companionship with a dog will understand the depth of emotions the author had with Augie. He made concessions in his home for Augie’s comfort and took him to his favorite parks. Augie’s favorite place was the beach. After a Jewish burial ceremony, Matthew spread Augie’s ashes at the beach and declared to everyone that he wanted his ashes spread in the same place. Eighteen years was not enough time with his precious companion.
Matthew Sigman recounts some of the most enduring and funny antics of his beloved dog. One of my favorites is about the “zoomies.” He says there are so many things no one ever tells about owning a dog, like the zoomies. The first time he witnessed this phenomenon, Sigman said Augie, from a deep sleep, suddenly got up and started running around the house like a “ferret on speed” then jumped up on the sofa and passed out. Sigman said he thought “Augie had a seizure” and had to make sure he was still breathing, and just sleeping.
Everything seemed to be going wrong, but the loss of Augie was too much. His grief sent him away for a long vacation. Even the directions to his BnB were wrong. He ended up in the mountain village of Quarna in the Italian Alps. Augie would have loved it there and everyone there would have loved Augie.
A Few Thoughts:
How do you grieve?
Where and what is home?
How do you define family?
Can a dog be a soul mate?
Can music heal and make you better?
Happiness and music. It takes a village.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebook Audio for allowing me early access to the audiobook of Because of a Dog
Anyone who has ever had close companionship with a dog will understand the depth of emotions the author had with Augie. He made concessions in his home for Augie’s comfort and took him to his favorite parks. Augie’s favorite place was the beach. After a Jewish burial ceremony, Matthew spread Augie’s ashes at the beach and declared to everyone that he wanted his ashes spread in the same place. Eighteen years was not enough time with his precious companion.
Matthew Sigman recounts some of the most enduring and funny antics of his beloved dog. One of my favorites is about the “zoomies.” He says there are so many things no one ever tells about owning a dog, like the zoomies. The first time he witnessed this phenomenon, Sigman said Augie, from a deep sleep, suddenly got up and started running around the house like a “ferret on speed” then jumped up on the sofa and passed out. Sigman said he thought “Augie had a seizure” and had to make sure he was still breathing, and just sleeping.
Everything seemed to be going wrong, but the loss of Augie was too much. His grief sent him away for a long vacation. Even the directions to his BnB were wrong. He ended up in the mountain village of Quarna in the Italian Alps. Augie would have loved it there and everyone there would have loved Augie.
A Few Thoughts:
How do you grieve?
Where and what is home?
How do you define family?
Can a dog be a soul mate?
Can music heal and make you better?
Happiness and music. It takes a village.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebook Audio for allowing me early access to the audiobook of Because of a Dog
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book had me bawling hysterically and laughing out loud. It's perfect for dog lovers who also love a good memoir. It blends themes of grief, loss, love/relationships, found family and travel. I think it's a great read for those who have lost a soul dog or pet, like I have, because Sigman gets what it is to love a dog so much that your heart absolutely shatters when they pass. I feel like a lot of people do not understand how grief can be so intense over an animal. (Never just a dog.). The "after Augie" portion of the story takes place largely in Quarna, Italy where the author finds healing.
I listened to the audio, narrated by the author, which I always appreciate when it's a memoir. The narration is done well.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.
I listened to the audio, narrated by the author, which I always appreciate when it's a memoir. The narration is done well.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.
August 3, 2026
Thanks to #NetGalley for the ARC.
What a delightful book! It is now one of my favorite books. I could so relate to the author’s grief as I had to put my sweet beagle boy to sleep 9 years ago. He was my buddy and such a source of comfort and joy. I also could totally relate to how the author felt at home in the Italian village where he went after the death of his dog Augie. That’s how I feel when I go to France.
NOTE: The publication date is August 11, 2026.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to dog lovers and people who like to immerse themselves in a foreign culture.
What a delightful book! It is now one of my favorite books. I could so relate to the author’s grief as I had to put my sweet beagle boy to sleep 9 years ago. He was my buddy and such a source of comfort and joy. I also could totally relate to how the author felt at home in the Italian village where he went after the death of his dog Augie. That’s how I feel when I go to France.
NOTE: The publication date is August 11, 2026.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to dog lovers and people who like to immerse themselves in a foreign culture.
Did Not Finish
August 8, 2026A sweet, cozy memoir that feels like a love letter to a rescue dog who became so much more than family.
I loved the way it captured the bond between a man and his dog, as well as the grief of losing that bond and slowly finding your way forward. There’s also a lovely travel element, with the story taking us to a tiny Italian village seemingly in the middle of nowhere.
Easy to read, comforting, and quietly moving. A lovely book for when you want something cozy and heartfelt.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Audio for the advanced ebook in exchange for my honest review.
I loved the way it captured the bond between a man and his dog, as well as the grief of losing that bond and slowly finding your way forward. There’s also a lovely travel element, with the story taking us to a tiny Italian village seemingly in the middle of nowhere.
Easy to read, comforting, and quietly moving. A lovely book for when you want something cozy and heartfelt.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Audio for the advanced ebook in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a story about the bond between a man and his dog as well as the Italian village that helped mend his broken heart. Matt and Augie were twins in every way but species. They basically read each other's minds. Augie's death plus Matt's guilt over not being with him left his broken heart with a hole the size of the Grand Canyon.
Finding the village of Quarna was a fluke and a miracle. It saved his life, helped heal his broken heart, and became the family he always wanted,not instead of his own family but along side it. His story of trials and tribulations, language barriers, cultural differences, and just plain life leaves no doubt of the incredible relationship between man and dog. Don't you want to take a trip to the pound and find your own Augie? Just read this book first.
Finding the village of Quarna was a fluke and a miracle. It saved his life, helped heal his broken heart, and became the family he always wanted,not instead of his own family but along side it. His story of trials and tribulations, language barriers, cultural differences, and just plain life leaves no doubt of the incredible relationship between man and dog. Don't you want to take a trip to the pound and find your own Augie? Just read this book first.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Sigman’s memoir blends grief, travel, and the unexpected companionship of a dog into a gentle, restorative narrative that feels both intimate and scenic. His time in the Italian village becomes a catalyst for emotional repair, and the book’s charm lies in how effortlessly it moves between quiet humor, cultural texture, and the universal longing for connection. It’s a reflective, slow-blooming story that rewards readers who appreciate contemplative journeys and the healing power of place.
August 14, 2026
Listened to the audiobook. Narration was ok. Parts of this book were ok. Other parts were boring. I enjoyed hearing about the people he met and their ways of life in a small town but his personal relationship wasn’t at all interesting to me. Also I wanted more specifics and details about his relationship with his dog. You got a lot of the grief, but I want any more details about the happy times.
August 16, 2026
What an extremely moving story of Sigman's love for his dog, the grief he suffers through, and his recovery thanks to a village in remote Italy. Brilliant storytelling! I knew I would be shedding tears just by looking at the beautiful picture of Augie on the cover and seeing those soulful eyes. The adventures in Italy were written so well; I felt I was there! A must read!
August 17, 2026
poignant; incredible story-telling; colorfully and beautifully written pulls at your heart-strings, and at the same time gives hope and healing
Review of advance copy received from Author
"Because of a Dog: How an Enchanted Italian Village Mended a Broken Heart" by Matthew Sigman is a charming and heartfelt memoir about loss, healing, and unexpected renewal. After the death of his beloved dog, Augie, and the end of a significant relationship, Sigman's life was thrown into turmoil. He unexpectedly found solace in Quarna, a small village in northeastern Italy, where the warmth of the community (which came over time) and the interactions of village life helped restore his spirit. The story is told with humor, honesty, and emotion, and includes insights from other writers who have taken their own journeys of self-discovery and healing.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews