Dear Ted: How My Dog Taught Me to be a Better Human

by Melissa Bunker

120 pages, Hardcover

Published April 7, 2026

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Ted Williams! What a personality. Melissa gets really vulnerable with her admissions of how Ted has helped her see things differently in her life. We all need a Ted Williams.

[Joanna Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Ted feels less like reading a book and more like sitting with someone who finally found the courage to say the things most people carry around quietly for years. There’s a tenderness to it that sneaks up on you. It’s emotional without trying too hard, reflective without becoming heavy, and deeply human the entire way through.

What stayed with me most was the honesty. The book captures love, grief, memory, regret, and connection in a way that feels incredibly real. At several points I stopped reading just to think. That’s rare. So many books tell a story, but this one leaves you feeling something long after you put it down.

There’s also a warmth to Dear Ted that makes it approachable even when it’s dealing with emotional subjects. It reminds you how important relationships are, how quickly time moves, and how much meaning exists in the small moments people often overlook.

This is the kind of book people recommend to friends because they want someone else to experience it too. Thoughtful, heartfelt, and memorable.

[Gabriella Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Ted is a heartwarming and inspirational journey. Melissa's letters to Ted are easy to fall in love with, especially as a dog owner myself. Ted is such a lovable dog, and by the end of the book, it feels like he's your dog too.

I also really enjoyed Melissa's life lessons, honest confessions, and reflections on what she's learned throughout her life. Reading her letters felt like sitting down with a trusted friend or mentor and learning from her experiences.

This book made me laugh, reflect, and appreciate the special bond between people and their dogs. I would definitely recommend adding it to your TBR.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

So beautifully written! Very personal, yet pertaining to everyone. Loved it!

[Krysta Herrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect book for any dog lover. Came for the cute pictures of Ted, stayed for all for all of the heart.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book just gave me all the feels! Such a neat love story to her dog! I love that she also included her own insecurities and made a nice book of letters to her dog.