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Olive, Mabel & Me: Life and Adventures with Two Very Good Dogs
When sporting events were put on hold in March 2020, commentator Andrew Cotter shifted to working from home. The one-on-one competitors? His two Labrador retrievers, Olive and Mabel. In the hilarious videos that ensued, the dogs engage in various contests, from bone-snatching and breakfast-eating to crushing it on the dog walk, while Cotter narrates to hilarious effect. The scene of Mabel, simply standing still in a fetid pond was one of the most popular. Why? Because this is how dogs live, and Cotter captured it with humor and joy. It’s why the series has been viewed more than 50 million times, entertaining dog owners, sports fans and celebrities around the world. Olive and Mabel are more than online celebrities, however, as revealed in this charming narrative. Filled with stories about how Cotter fell in love with his dogs, his passion for hiking with them through the glens and over the peaks of his native Scotland, and the ongoing relationship between Olive and Mabel (particularly the “competitive fire” lit during these days of quarantine), the memoir is by turns side-splittingly funny and thoughtfully tender. It’s sure to resonate with all dog lovers.
237 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2020
346 people are currently reading
1771 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Cotter
8 books65 followersAndrew Cotter is one of the most recognisable voices in sports broadcasting. Cotter is one of the leading commentators on the BBC’s golf, rugby, tennis and athletics coverage.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 598 reviews
November 9, 2020
Andrew’s prose: 5/5
Olive and Mabel: 14/10
Olive and Mabel: 14/10
January 19, 2021
Andrew Cotter's videos about his dogs, Olive and Mabel, helped me survive 2020. Andrew, who is a sports commentator, first made a cute video narrating his dogs eating breakfast as if it were a championship match. Then he made a cute video about his dogs behaving badly on a walk, both of them jumping in a dirty pond. Then he made a cute video as if the dogs were in a company meeting on Zoom. Then he made a cute video...
You get the point. Basically, Andrew Cotter is funny and clever, and his book about his life with the dogs was enjoyable. I started reading it after the American presidential election, but current events were so stressful that it took me a while to circle back and finish the book. Andrew's descriptions of his now-famous labradors and his various mountain-hiking adventures (I especially enjoyed his trip to Mount Fuji) were a welcome distraction from the news of the day. If you like dogs or if you enjoyed any of Andrew's viral videos, you would probably enjoy this book.
You get the point. Basically, Andrew Cotter is funny and clever, and his book about his life with the dogs was enjoyable. I started reading it after the American presidential election, but current events were so stressful that it took me a while to circle back and finish the book. Andrew's descriptions of his now-famous labradors and his various mountain-hiking adventures (I especially enjoyed his trip to Mount Fuji) were a welcome distraction from the news of the day. If you like dogs or if you enjoyed any of Andrew's viral videos, you would probably enjoy this book.
May 21, 2022
Olive, Mabel & Me Life and Adventures With Two Very Good Dogs
by Andrew Cotter
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
An absolutely delightful storyline, you will laugh and you will want to cry. I love reading about pets and how they travel through life. Andrew Cotter did an excellent job of writing this book and sharing his journey of Olive and Mabel.
.
by Andrew Cotter
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
An absolutely delightful storyline, you will laugh and you will want to cry. I love reading about pets and how they travel through life. Andrew Cotter did an excellent job of writing this book and sharing his journey of Olive and Mabel.
.
November 5, 2020
The beginning of the 2020 pandemic caused change for sports commentator Andrew Cotter (along with many other people) where all his commentary jobs fell through, as they were all cancelled one by one. He was at home in Scotland, pondering life and how he would go paying the bills, thinking of his meager followers on Twitter when he filmed a short video of his two Labradors, Olive and Mabel. And in a fit of madness, posted it online. The subsequent sensation had him and his wife Caroline gob smacked.
Olive, a beautiful black Labrador, belonged to Andrew and Caroline for four years before they introduced Mabel, an adorable, mischievous yellow Lab who adored her stable mate from the word go. Olive tolerated Mabel until they became best friends, doing everything together. Andrew is a devout hill and mountain climber in Scotland and Olive and Mabel accompanied him on many a trek. As long as the girls were fed, they were content.
There have been videos of Olive and Mabel’s antics which have cheered many during this year of the pandemic and Andrew is still amazed at the popularity of his two Labs. Devoted, loving and loyal – dog lovers know that’s what dogs are. And Olive and Mabel have it in spades – they are very good dogs.
Olive, Mabel & Me is a highly entertaining look at something good that as come out of this terrible year – 2020. And author Andrew Cotter is continuing to delight his, and his girls’ fans in Olive, Mabel & Me, his debut work. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Text Publishing for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Olive, a beautiful black Labrador, belonged to Andrew and Caroline for four years before they introduced Mabel, an adorable, mischievous yellow Lab who adored her stable mate from the word go. Olive tolerated Mabel until they became best friends, doing everything together. Andrew is a devout hill and mountain climber in Scotland and Olive and Mabel accompanied him on many a trek. As long as the girls were fed, they were content.
There have been videos of Olive and Mabel’s antics which have cheered many during this year of the pandemic and Andrew is still amazed at the popularity of his two Labs. Devoted, loving and loyal – dog lovers know that’s what dogs are. And Olive and Mabel have it in spades – they are very good dogs.
Olive, Mabel & Me is a highly entertaining look at something good that as come out of this terrible year – 2020. And author Andrew Cotter is continuing to delight his, and his girls’ fans in Olive, Mabel & Me, his debut work. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Text Publishing for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
January 2, 2021
Sports commentator, Andrew Cotter never imagined what an incredibly difficult year 2020 would look like. With a pandemic that has taken a toll on people's lives. Countries have been forced into lock down, leading to job losses, including Andrew's.
As the bills continued to arrive, Andrew was unsure what he would do next. When he posted a short video of his two Labrador dogs for his Twitter followers, the response he received was phenomenal. Andrew and his wife Caroline couldn't believe how a brief video of their beloved Olive and Mabel could get so much attention, but they did.
As we follow them through their adventures, we, the reader, are embarked on a journey like no other. It is truly a beautifully written book and I know that every animal lover will enjoy it just as much as I did. Highly recommended.
As the bills continued to arrive, Andrew was unsure what he would do next. When he posted a short video of his two Labrador dogs for his Twitter followers, the response he received was phenomenal. Andrew and his wife Caroline couldn't believe how a brief video of their beloved Olive and Mabel could get so much attention, but they did.
As we follow them through their adventures, we, the reader, are embarked on a journey like no other. It is truly a beautifully written book and I know that every animal lover will enjoy it just as much as I did. Highly recommended.
November 19, 2020
This was a book I savored, not wanting it to end. It felt as comforting as catching up with a friend over a cup of tea. Mr. Cotter writes as well as he does commentating, which is to say, very well indeed.
Disclaimer: I love dogs. I love dog books. Cannot at present put my finger on any dog book I did not like. However, rarely have I enjoyed a dog book as much as I did this one. This can be attributed, in part, to the fact that Olive and Mabel are very much alive at the end of the book (happy spoiler alert!). But what Mr. Cotter has accomplished is to remind us, in this wildly uncertain year, what serenity can be found in steadying our focus to remain in this present day, preferably in the company of two very good dogs for guidance.
Anyone who has had dogs in their life will grin repeatedly at Mr. Cotter's descriptions of the lovable idiosyncrasies of our canine companions. Who is the wiser species, however - human or canine - in facing each day with optimism and enthusiasm, accepting what they cannot control, making the best of things, and remaining vulnerable and open to love?
(I think you know the answer.)
A book I will re-read, and I can scarcely give Mr. Cotter a higher compliment.
Disclaimer: I love dogs. I love dog books. Cannot at present put my finger on any dog book I did not like. However, rarely have I enjoyed a dog book as much as I did this one. This can be attributed, in part, to the fact that Olive and Mabel are very much alive at the end of the book (happy spoiler alert!). But what Mr. Cotter has accomplished is to remind us, in this wildly uncertain year, what serenity can be found in steadying our focus to remain in this present day, preferably in the company of two very good dogs for guidance.
Anyone who has had dogs in their life will grin repeatedly at Mr. Cotter's descriptions of the lovable idiosyncrasies of our canine companions. Who is the wiser species, however - human or canine - in facing each day with optimism and enthusiasm, accepting what they cannot control, making the best of things, and remaining vulnerable and open to love?
(I think you know the answer.)
A book I will re-read, and I can scarcely give Mr. Cotter a higher compliment.
July 22, 2022
If anyone ever asks you for a real-life illustration of the popular phrase When life brings you lemons, make lemonade, go for Andrew Cotter. This illustration is not only convincing but also has a lovely Scottish accent. To say nothing of his two dogs.
Andrew Cotter is a British sports commentator who was made redundant because of the pandemic, as all events were cancelled. Feeling bored and upset, he started creating hilarious videos, starring his two Labradors, Mabel and Olive. They immediately went viral. You can find them on the author's YouTube channel mrandrewcotter (alas, Goodreads doesn’t allow outside links). Episode 4 - The Company Meeting is my absolute favourite! As for the viewers’ reactions, let me quote a comment by one of the fans: These two doggos have been the best thing to come out of this pandemic.
Mabel, Olive and Me is a spin-off from Cotter’s videos, starring his dogs. The first 10% of the book did not click with me at all. I just was not interested in the author’s social media stats and I am allergic to namedropping. Unfortunately, there was an abundance of both at the beginning. I am glad I did not abandon Mabel, Olive and Me although I felt tempted to do so. Soon I started to enjoy Cotter’s sense of humour, his observations and honesty. Some parts are truly moving, some are hysterical. Moreover, I could easily relate to his dog obsession. The photos were also a plus although my e-reader massacred them a bit. Besides, I appreciate the lack of mawkishness in this book — rather difficult to avoid while you are talking about your beloved pets. Mabel, Olive and Me is an amusing, pleasant, relaxing read, ideal for former, current and future dog owners and not only.
Andrew Cotter’s memoir is a pure-breed spin-off and it is distinctively visible at times: I had the impression the author was categorically told to fill a certain number of pages — 240 to be exact — and sometimes you can feel his struggle to make the editors’ wish come true, not having enough material for such a long book. Sorry for body shaming, Mabel and Olive, but the book about you could do with a little diet. Not you, you are perfect!
Let mi signal one more potential problem the blurb does not prepare you enough for: if you are not into hiking in the mountains (I happen to be), you may feel a bit bored with numerous descriptions of Cotter’s little expeditions with and without his dogs. If you are not keen on this, be ready for skipping quite a lot of passages. And potential problem number two: if you have not got a dog, you may want to change that immediately after you finish Mabel, Olive and Me. It will alter your life irreversibly.
Olive, Andrew and Mabel.
[Source.]
Andrew Cotter is a British sports commentator who was made redundant because of the pandemic, as all events were cancelled. Feeling bored and upset, he started creating hilarious videos, starring his two Labradors, Mabel and Olive. They immediately went viral. You can find them on the author's YouTube channel mrandrewcotter (alas, Goodreads doesn’t allow outside links). Episode 4 - The Company Meeting is my absolute favourite! As for the viewers’ reactions, let me quote a comment by one of the fans: These two doggos have been the best thing to come out of this pandemic.
Mabel, Olive and Me is a spin-off from Cotter’s videos, starring his dogs. The first 10% of the book did not click with me at all. I just was not interested in the author’s social media stats and I am allergic to namedropping. Unfortunately, there was an abundance of both at the beginning. I am glad I did not abandon Mabel, Olive and Me although I felt tempted to do so. Soon I started to enjoy Cotter’s sense of humour, his observations and honesty. Some parts are truly moving, some are hysterical. Moreover, I could easily relate to his dog obsession. The photos were also a plus although my e-reader massacred them a bit. Besides, I appreciate the lack of mawkishness in this book — rather difficult to avoid while you are talking about your beloved pets. Mabel, Olive and Me is an amusing, pleasant, relaxing read, ideal for former, current and future dog owners and not only.
Andrew Cotter’s memoir is a pure-breed spin-off and it is distinctively visible at times: I had the impression the author was categorically told to fill a certain number of pages — 240 to be exact — and sometimes you can feel his struggle to make the editors’ wish come true, not having enough material for such a long book. Sorry for body shaming, Mabel and Olive, but the book about you could do with a little diet. Not you, you are perfect!
Let mi signal one more potential problem the blurb does not prepare you enough for: if you are not into hiking in the mountains (I happen to be), you may feel a bit bored with numerous descriptions of Cotter’s little expeditions with and without his dogs. If you are not keen on this, be ready for skipping quite a lot of passages. And potential problem number two: if you have not got a dog, you may want to change that immediately after you finish Mabel, Olive and Me. It will alter your life irreversibly.
Olive, Andrew and Mabel.
[Source.]
October 22, 2020
In general, I tend to be pretty skeptical of book deals that emerge from blogs, so one that emerged from a series of viral videos should have sent me running. BUT. Andrew Cotter's series of videos where he sports commented his dogs' everyday behavior were so wildly hilarious, and necessarily soothing in this stressful period, that I pre-ordered this book as soon as it was announced. The early chapters made me pretty nervous--he talks about the process of making the first few videos, including his own nerves and angst, and I thought, "Dear God, I've spent $30 on 240 pages of someone psychoanalyzing their own viral video success." Fortunately, that was merely an opener, and the book briskly moves to what we all really care about--his life through dogs. He's been a dog-obsessive since infancy (coming to it naturally, from parents who raised what seem like herds of sheepdogs). But more crucially, the characteristics that make the Mabel and Olive videos terrific--his dry humor, his sports commentator's eye for small but telling details, his storytelling gifts--make the book a real treat. Also, there are a ton of cute dog photos (many in color!), so it's like a soothing keepsake of Something Good That Came Out of This Terrible Year.
June 8, 2023
A tale of cute dogs and beautiful Scottish Munros that -as I have just learned from this book- mean any of the 277 mountains in Scotland that are at least 3,000 feet high (approximately 914 metres). All written, described, commented and narrated by a true entertainer, Andrew Cotter in his lovely Scottish accent.
For this book, the audiobook format is clearly the best option.
For this book, the audiobook format is clearly the best option.
December 27, 2020
Do you know Andrew Cotter?
Okay, do you know Olive and Mabel?
Of course you do! Two very good dogs who spent lockdown just being themselves. But in front of a bored sports commentator with a camera.
Who could ever forget their first appearance, in The Dog's Breakfast Grand Final? If you haven't seen it yet (and why ever not?!) here it is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPhpJ...
From this humble beginning came Game Of Bones, The Walk Of Shame and The Company Meeting, among others. I love them all, including Run With Me and Intermission, where first Olive and then Mabel wore a camera to give us a dog's eye view of time with The Boss.
I learned somewhere that Cotter was planning a book, but I wasn't sure that it had become a reality until the week before Christmas. Obviously it was my gift to myself! lol
This is actually a deeper book than you might expect. We do get to learn all about how first Olive and then Mabel came into his life, but we also meet The Boss as a child and see how he came to have his strong connection with and understanding of dogs. We have some history about Labradors, a few stories about other famous dogs get woven into the story, and we learn a lot about Cotter's character.
He is a private person, a loner at heart, and an honest man: a thinker who has been able to stay grounded during this rush of celebrity for the family. And knowing this about him the reader cannot help but feel sympathetic when Cotter admits that now he cannot go out for a run on the beach without people wanting to stop and visit with Olive and Mabel. He is not complaining about this, he is being matter of fact about it and wondering if he has been exploiting his dogs, which was not his intention at all. And believe me, with all the offers he has had, if he had been a shallower man he could be guilty of such a sin.
But Andrew Cotter is a very good man. You finish the book knowing that all will be fine with The Company no matter what happens in their future. New career? New dog? New house? Whatever 2021 brings, Olive, Mabel and The Boss will face it with joy as long as they are together.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF-93...
Okay, do you know Olive and Mabel?
Of course you do! Two very good dogs who spent lockdown just being themselves. But in front of a bored sports commentator with a camera.
Who could ever forget their first appearance, in The Dog's Breakfast Grand Final? If you haven't seen it yet (and why ever not?!) here it is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPhpJ...
From this humble beginning came Game Of Bones, The Walk Of Shame and The Company Meeting, among others. I love them all, including Run With Me and Intermission, where first Olive and then Mabel wore a camera to give us a dog's eye view of time with The Boss.
I learned somewhere that Cotter was planning a book, but I wasn't sure that it had become a reality until the week before Christmas. Obviously it was my gift to myself! lol
This is actually a deeper book than you might expect. We do get to learn all about how first Olive and then Mabel came into his life, but we also meet The Boss as a child and see how he came to have his strong connection with and understanding of dogs. We have some history about Labradors, a few stories about other famous dogs get woven into the story, and we learn a lot about Cotter's character.
He is a private person, a loner at heart, and an honest man: a thinker who has been able to stay grounded during this rush of celebrity for the family. And knowing this about him the reader cannot help but feel sympathetic when Cotter admits that now he cannot go out for a run on the beach without people wanting to stop and visit with Olive and Mabel. He is not complaining about this, he is being matter of fact about it and wondering if he has been exploiting his dogs, which was not his intention at all. And believe me, with all the offers he has had, if he had been a shallower man he could be guilty of such a sin.
But Andrew Cotter is a very good man. You finish the book knowing that all will be fine with The Company no matter what happens in their future. New career? New dog? New house? Whatever 2021 brings, Olive, Mabel and The Boss will face it with joy as long as they are together.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF-93...
May 11, 2021
I'm not really a dog person, but I do like Scotland and witty writers, and this book definitely has those things going for it. If you are a dog person, you'll adore it. But even if not, it's pretty entertaining.
Written during/after COVID lockdown, it feels current and relatable. And, unlike many animal books, it doesn't have a sad ending. Yay!
Good as an audiobook.
Content note: very occasional use of a strong swear word or two.
Written during/after COVID lockdown, it feels current and relatable. And, unlike many animal books, it doesn't have a sad ending. Yay!
Good as an audiobook.
Content note: very occasional use of a strong swear word or two.
May 5, 2021
I love memoirs about dogs, but often they are bittersweet. You may enjoy the funny puppy antics and heart warming stories, but as you approach the end you prepare yourself for heartbreak. It's so unfair our pets live such short lives. For this reason, Olive, Mabel, and Me is a refreshing addition to the "dog memoir" genre. Olive and Mabel are still alive and well, still bringing much joy to a world that has desperately needed a positive distraction during a global pandemic. Andrew Cotter masterfully blends the story of his dogs and how they became an internet sensation with descriptions of their pre-covid climbs of the Scottish peaks, his own story of traveling the world, and how much the world changed over the course of 2020. For future readers it will be an interesting snapshot of when the world stopped and none of us were quite sure if and when it would start again. I listened to the audiobook which is read by the author. I highly recommend it, as he brought his story to life in way that would probably not have happened had I read it myself.
September 29, 2022
I have a soft spot in my life for labradors having lived and had them all my life. This book was about living and having labradors, do I need to say more?
Shoutout to Andrew for making the audiobook feel like Olive and Mabel were there the whole time, definitely listen to this one if you can. Although this book needs to come with a warning *don’t listen to it when you are absent from your dogs, it will make you miss them like crazy*
Shoutout to Andrew for making the audiobook feel like Olive and Mabel were there the whole time, definitely listen to this one if you can. Although this book needs to come with a warning *don’t listen to it when you are absent from your dogs, it will make you miss them like crazy*
July 26, 2024
4.5. An entertaining short book with plenty of fun photographs of Olive and Mabel, two very good Labs, and encouragement to look up their various short You Tube videos posted by their human, a British sportscaster, during the CoVid lockdown.
Learned about Labs as a breed and about Scottish mountain climbing and geography; author even worked in a good story of pre-Covid time when he was covering some sports completion in Japan and managing to work in some mountain climbing and observations on dogs in Japan.
Wouldn’t mind reading something else by Andrew Cotter if it included more dog stories.
Learned about Labs as a breed and about Scottish mountain climbing and geography; author even worked in a good story of pre-Covid time when he was covering some sports completion in Japan and managing to work in some mountain climbing and observations on dogs in Japan.
Wouldn’t mind reading something else by Andrew Cotter if it included more dog stories.
November 3, 2024
I’m not a sports fan so had never heard of Andrew Cotter until the Olive and Mabel videos started appearing on Facebook over lockdown.
When I saw there was a book, a book focussed on two adorable labs, well count me in! Then it sat ignored in my to be read until a monthly book club challenge brought it to the top of the pile. Once started I had to ask myself, how did I leave this sitting there for so long?
This book has love oozing out of every page. In a world where there is so much to feel depressed about, this book truly is a balm for the soul. It’s charming, witty, the chapters are bite sized so no subject is overly laboured. As a bonus there are dog pics scattered throughout.
As a girl who gave her heart over to a pair of black labs many years ago, I have to give this book 5 🖤💛🖤💛🖤 for sharing two of the goodest girls with the world.
When I saw there was a book, a book focussed on two adorable labs, well count me in! Then it sat ignored in my to be read until a monthly book club challenge brought it to the top of the pile. Once started I had to ask myself, how did I leave this sitting there for so long?
This book has love oozing out of every page. In a world where there is so much to feel depressed about, this book truly is a balm for the soul. It’s charming, witty, the chapters are bite sized so no subject is overly laboured. As a bonus there are dog pics scattered throughout.
As a girl who gave her heart over to a pair of black labs many years ago, I have to give this book 5 🖤💛🖤💛🖤 for sharing two of the goodest girls with the world.
January 2, 2021
Olive, Mabel and Me by Andrew Cotter
Synopsis /
Olive, Mabel and Me is the new book from broadcaster Andrew Cotter and his now internet famous canine companions, Olive and Mabel.
Olive and Mabel went viral on social media with their sporting contests during the COVID-19 lockdown, with Andrew Cotter’s unique commentary propelling the videos to over 40 million views.
Now Cotter shares stories of his adventures with his loveable (and occasionally exasperating) canine companions in this beautifully written, touching and laugh-out-loud funny new book.
My Thoughts /
First book read in 2021, a brand new year, a brand new beginning. In a few days’ time I will be closer to 60 than 50 and, I’ve decided that, in terms of books, I’m going to go forth and read enjoyably – so that will inevitably mean DNF’s. I’m not going to waste any more time than necessary if a book and I do not gel. I am currently on holidays from work (yes, I still do that thing which is a necessary evil) and my grown daughter incredulously said to someone on Christmas Day that ‘Mum has taken a month off work to read’! Haha, well that’s not 100% accurate but I do like the analogy.
Now, my first book for 2021 is a cracker and one which I highly recommend you all read – whether you are a dog person or not, Mr Cotter’s way with words is magnificent. As you can probably guess from the cover, Olive and Mabel are two very good dogs. Mr Cotter writes:- ‘Labradors don’t fall in or out of favour. They let the other dogs have their day, living by the canine equivalent of the sporting credo that ‘form is temporary, class is permanent’. They just carry on being near-perfect – relentlessly optimistic and friendly, good tempered and handsome. Slightly greedy, that’s all.’
On the topic of eating, Mr Cotter says:- ‘Thankfully Olive-damage was minimal. Yes, toys had a life-expectancy measured in hours rather than years, but in terms of our own possessions she restricted it to the odd shoe and a short phase where her own beds were savaged in the middle of the night. I call this ‘the absurdly expensive phase’.’
It's very clear that Mr Cotter loves his dogs dearly, but he’s not totally blinded by their stunning personalities, writing:-
’I believe there is a clear hierarchy in their heads of what is most important:-
Food
Food
Food
Also, Food
Human approval
And I’m not even sure that human approval should be as high as number five.’
There were more than a few laugh out loud moments and Mr Cotter’s storytelling is definitely a 10 out of 10. Having said that, the book would not have been possible without Olive and Mabel who are most definitely a 20! You get more from this book than you would first imagine. You learn all about his life as a child, and how he came to have such a strong connection with dogs. We learn a little about the history of Labradors and other famous dogs in history and, of course, we learn how Andrew and his partner Caroline came to get Olive (first) and then Mabel. During the course of the book it becomes apparent that Mr Cotter is very much a private person. He definitely comes across as honest, which is apparent from his writing. He’s definitely a thinker and has been able to stay grounded during this rush of celebrity status since posting his early videos on YouTube.
This is a book I will look forward to re-reading!
Synopsis /
Olive, Mabel and Me is the new book from broadcaster Andrew Cotter and his now internet famous canine companions, Olive and Mabel.
Olive and Mabel went viral on social media with their sporting contests during the COVID-19 lockdown, with Andrew Cotter’s unique commentary propelling the videos to over 40 million views.
Now Cotter shares stories of his adventures with his loveable (and occasionally exasperating) canine companions in this beautifully written, touching and laugh-out-loud funny new book.
My Thoughts /
First book read in 2021, a brand new year, a brand new beginning. In a few days’ time I will be closer to 60 than 50 and, I’ve decided that, in terms of books, I’m going to go forth and read enjoyably – so that will inevitably mean DNF’s. I’m not going to waste any more time than necessary if a book and I do not gel. I am currently on holidays from work (yes, I still do that thing which is a necessary evil) and my grown daughter incredulously said to someone on Christmas Day that ‘Mum has taken a month off work to read’! Haha, well that’s not 100% accurate but I do like the analogy.
Now, my first book for 2021 is a cracker and one which I highly recommend you all read – whether you are a dog person or not, Mr Cotter’s way with words is magnificent. As you can probably guess from the cover, Olive and Mabel are two very good dogs. Mr Cotter writes:- ‘Labradors don’t fall in or out of favour. They let the other dogs have their day, living by the canine equivalent of the sporting credo that ‘form is temporary, class is permanent’. They just carry on being near-perfect – relentlessly optimistic and friendly, good tempered and handsome. Slightly greedy, that’s all.’
On the topic of eating, Mr Cotter says:- ‘Thankfully Olive-damage was minimal. Yes, toys had a life-expectancy measured in hours rather than years, but in terms of our own possessions she restricted it to the odd shoe and a short phase where her own beds were savaged in the middle of the night. I call this ‘the absurdly expensive phase’.’
It's very clear that Mr Cotter loves his dogs dearly, but he’s not totally blinded by their stunning personalities, writing:-
’I believe there is a clear hierarchy in their heads of what is most important:-
Food
Food
Food
Also, Food
Human approval
And I’m not even sure that human approval should be as high as number five.’
There were more than a few laugh out loud moments and Mr Cotter’s storytelling is definitely a 10 out of 10. Having said that, the book would not have been possible without Olive and Mabel who are most definitely a 20! You get more from this book than you would first imagine. You learn all about his life as a child, and how he came to have such a strong connection with dogs. We learn a little about the history of Labradors and other famous dogs in history and, of course, we learn how Andrew and his partner Caroline came to get Olive (first) and then Mabel. During the course of the book it becomes apparent that Mr Cotter is very much a private person. He definitely comes across as honest, which is apparent from his writing. He’s definitely a thinker and has been able to stay grounded during this rush of celebrity status since posting his early videos on YouTube.
This is a book I will look forward to re-reading!
September 18, 2022
Andrew Cotter ist ein schottischer Sportreporter für die BBC. Im Lockdown 2020 plötzlich nahezu ohne Arbeit fing er an auf seinem Youtubekanal Alltagssituationen seiner beiden Labradore zu kommentieren. Ein Prominenter teilte und ab ging es viral.
Was ich an den Videos, ebenso wie an dem Buch schätze:
Cotter ist ein Hundemensch. Oft sehe auf sozialen Medien wie Youtube und auch Instagram Videos mit Tieren, bei denen sich mir eher die Kehle zuzieht. Schlechte Scherze auf Kosten der Tiere , denen man oft die Verunsicherung und den Streß ansehen kann.
Anders bei Cotters Videos. Wir sehen schlicht und einfach zwei gut erzogene ,nette Familienhunde, die ihrem Hundeleben nachgehen. Der Witz entsteht durch Cotters Kommentare.
Im Buch schreibt er über diese Zeit, auch wie sich der Hype auf ihn ausgewirkt hat (seine Frau ist komplett unbegeistert davon) und erzählt aus seinem Leben und seiner Bindung und seinen Erlebnissen mit Hunden.
Wer also Hunde mag, auch über Wanderungen in den schottischen Bergen lesen möchte, sich für britischen Humor und Sprachwitz begeistern kann, dem lege ich dieses warmherzige Buch ans Herz! Ich habe mich sehr amüsiert!
Was ich an den Videos, ebenso wie an dem Buch schätze:
Cotter ist ein Hundemensch. Oft sehe auf sozialen Medien wie Youtube und auch Instagram Videos mit Tieren, bei denen sich mir eher die Kehle zuzieht. Schlechte Scherze auf Kosten der Tiere , denen man oft die Verunsicherung und den Streß ansehen kann.
Anders bei Cotters Videos. Wir sehen schlicht und einfach zwei gut erzogene ,nette Familienhunde, die ihrem Hundeleben nachgehen. Der Witz entsteht durch Cotters Kommentare.
Im Buch schreibt er über diese Zeit, auch wie sich der Hype auf ihn ausgewirkt hat (seine Frau ist komplett unbegeistert davon) und erzählt aus seinem Leben und seiner Bindung und seinen Erlebnissen mit Hunden.
Wer also Hunde mag, auch über Wanderungen in den schottischen Bergen lesen möchte, sich für britischen Humor und Sprachwitz begeistern kann, dem lege ich dieses warmherzige Buch ans Herz! Ich habe mich sehr amüsiert!
February 23, 2021
An absolutely lovely book
At the very end of the book, Andrew writes: "Dogs offer comfort in troubling times for whoever keeps them, whoever feeds them, for whoever they walk alongside. Their ignorance of the greater problems of the world is their strength, allowing them to be the steadying anchor in our lives."
Even if I hadn't already loved Andrew Cotter for his deprecating "Olive and Mabel" Youtube videos, I would still have been so thankful to have stumbled over his book. Sometimes, when people become instant celebrities, they write a book that is nothing but a "how I came to be a celebrity."
Andrew writes instead about his love affair with Olive and Mabel, his love of hill walking--I remember being able to do that [sigh]--and his calm view of life. You get the feeling that whatever happens to Andrew Cotter next, he will be just fine with it. Fine to go back to his life with Olive, Mabel and himself.
thought the book was wonderful, comforting like a warm Labrador. ‘Nuff said.
At the very end of the book, Andrew writes: "Dogs offer comfort in troubling times for whoever keeps them, whoever feeds them, for whoever they walk alongside. Their ignorance of the greater problems of the world is their strength, allowing them to be the steadying anchor in our lives."
Even if I hadn't already loved Andrew Cotter for his deprecating "Olive and Mabel" Youtube videos, I would still have been so thankful to have stumbled over his book. Sometimes, when people become instant celebrities, they write a book that is nothing but a "how I came to be a celebrity."
Andrew writes instead about his love affair with Olive and Mabel, his love of hill walking--I remember being able to do that [sigh]--and his calm view of life. You get the feeling that whatever happens to Andrew Cotter next, he will be just fine with it. Fine to go back to his life with Olive, Mabel and himself.
thought the book was wonderful, comforting like a warm Labrador. ‘Nuff said.
December 2, 2020
I first met Olive and Mabel when I saw a short clip during an MSNBC (Brian Williams) news show, with owner and author, Andrew Cotter, doing an hilarious 'sports commentary' on their very basic doggy moves. It was perfect; just what we needed during this crazy year. When I saw the book, it was a must-have immediately.
'Olive, Mabel & Me" will bring a smile to any dog lover and maybe even to our cat friends!
A great Holiday gift for everyone this year.
Thank you to Edelweiss and the Publisher for my pre-pub copy.
'Olive, Mabel & Me" will bring a smile to any dog lover and maybe even to our cat friends!
A great Holiday gift for everyone this year.
Thank you to Edelweiss and the Publisher for my pre-pub copy.
February 8, 2023
How could you resist giving 5 stars to such a positive book in these troubled times? Andrew Cotter has provided much humour and warmth with his videos, and his book reinforces his genuine love of dogs, (Labradors in particular) as well as narrating interesting stories of his mountain climbing which is not usually a subject I have much interest in. He is very thoughtful and it was a pleasure to see his wordsmith abilities used for something other than sports commentating.
January 19, 2021
More dogs, less hills.
September 16, 2024
I’m an animal lover from childhood, although my actual ownership has never extended to dogs. But I love them, and like millions of others I fell in love with Olive and Mabel during lockdown. Their antics are hilarious and I’ve watched them all on YouTube repeatedly. This is such a great, heartwarming book into their lives.
Read
November 27, 2020The following book reviews have been shared by Text Publishing – publisher of Olive, Mabel & Me: Life and Adventures with Two Very Good Dogs
'Beautifully written...as funny as you would hope.’
The Times
‘Utterly charming.’
Virginia Trioli
‘Cotter writes beautifully, with humour and heart … Any dog lover will adore this book.'
Weekly Times
'Beautifully written...as funny as you would hope.’
The Times
‘Utterly charming.’
Virginia Trioli
‘Cotter writes beautifully, with humour and heart … Any dog lover will adore this book.'
Weekly Times
February 13, 2021
This book had me laughing out loud and brought back to life so many wonderful memories of our old lab.
I first learned about the Olive and Mabel YouTube videos from Canadian author Louise Penny in one of her spring 2020 newsletters and, when viewing, was reduced to tears of laughter at a time when we were all seeking a bit of joy in our Covid-lockdown days.
Since then I have watched the videos whenever they are posted and was excited to hear there was to be a book.
It was a terrific read and did not disappoint. I read a library copy but am now ordering my own to enjoy and reminisce in years to come.
I first learned about the Olive and Mabel YouTube videos from Canadian author Louise Penny in one of her spring 2020 newsletters and, when viewing, was reduced to tears of laughter at a time when we were all seeking a bit of joy in our Covid-lockdown days.
Since then I have watched the videos whenever they are posted and was excited to hear there was to be a book.
It was a terrific read and did not disappoint. I read a library copy but am now ordering my own to enjoy and reminisce in years to come.
May 28, 2021
This book is for anyone who loves dogs, and is as hilarious as it is heartwarming. Olive & Mabel really are two very good dogs!
The Power of the Dog by Rudyard Kipling
When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled ( how still).
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone-wherever it goes-for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.
The Power of the Dog by Rudyard Kipling
When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled ( how still).
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone-wherever it goes-for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.
February 5, 2021
An absolute charmer of a book. I've seen some of Andrew's short films of the dogs, and looked forward to reading more about them, though I'm a cat person. I'm truly wooed by this story, however, and enjoyed it tremendously. The photos are an added bonus, as is the Munro climbing. Very heart warming.
July 27, 2021
Good book about good dugs
September 22, 2023
so gentle and uplifting. Andrew Cotter’s writing is filled with so much tenderness and humour, and the tales of companionship with Mable and Olive are so incredibly heart-warming.
The last chapter contains reflections on the inevitability of losing dogs and the unspoken hardship of opening your heart to a new one, and it made me bawl my eyes out. As Andrew so eloquently writes, dogs are “inseparable companions and effectively a part of your soul, that if cut out, leaves you empty.” I’ve recently had part of my soul ripped out via this same loss, and I’m so glad the feeling of emptiness has been put into such beautiful words.
Despite all the pain, I, like any other dog owner, would rather know that empty feeling than to never know the love, companionship and sheer joy of a dog at all…
“It is the deal we strike, and the pact we make. We know that they are far more likely to leave us than vice versa, but it is an offer which we cannot refuse. Because even with the cavernous hole that they leave behind, they bring us far more.”
The last chapter contains reflections on the inevitability of losing dogs and the unspoken hardship of opening your heart to a new one, and it made me bawl my eyes out. As Andrew so eloquently writes, dogs are “inseparable companions and effectively a part of your soul, that if cut out, leaves you empty.” I’ve recently had part of my soul ripped out via this same loss, and I’m so glad the feeling of emptiness has been put into such beautiful words.
Despite all the pain, I, like any other dog owner, would rather know that empty feeling than to never know the love, companionship and sheer joy of a dog at all…
“It is the deal we strike, and the pact we make. We know that they are far more likely to leave us than vice versa, but it is an offer which we cannot refuse. Because even with the cavernous hole that they leave behind, they bring us far more.”
January 13, 2022
If you have seen any of Mr. Andrew Cotter's video posts on Olive and Mabel, you will love his book. If you haven't, you will love his book. If you are a cat person, you will love his book.
Cotter, who is a sports broadcaster for the BBC, has had a lifelong affinity for dogs. When the pandemic came along, his job of traveling the world came to a halt, and he spent a lot of quality time with his two Labrador Retrievers, Olive and Mabel. On a whim, he made a video and posted it on YouTube. With two such charming actors, the video went viral. So, he made another. The popularity of the two Labs skyrocketed.
Cotter's writing is a constant laugh-along jaunt through life with two Labs. So much fun. So light-hearted. So nice to read something so positive.
Cotter, who is a sports broadcaster for the BBC, has had a lifelong affinity for dogs. When the pandemic came along, his job of traveling the world came to a halt, and he spent a lot of quality time with his two Labrador Retrievers, Olive and Mabel. On a whim, he made a video and posted it on YouTube. With two such charming actors, the video went viral. So, he made another. The popularity of the two Labs skyrocketed.
Cotter's writing is a constant laugh-along jaunt through life with two Labs. So much fun. So light-hearted. So nice to read something so positive.
January 3, 2021
Just what was needed, a complete break from the bleakness of the pandemic, a must for dog and hill lovers
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