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My Dad My Dog
"A love letter to caregivers and their canine companions. This is Warner at her best!" –Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times bestselling author of Under the Southern Sky "Warner writes smart, sensitive fiction, capturing commitment and sacrifice, and the rare, unconditional love that accompanies it." –Rochelle Weinstein, USA Today and Amazon bestselling author "Rebecca Warner writes a beautiful, poignant story of love and sacrifice and loss." –Lori N. Spielman, New York Times bestselling author of The Life List When she moves her Alzheimer's-afflicted dad into the home she shares with her husband and elderly dog, Rachel Morgan expects some complications, but she never imagines the biggest one will occur on the first day, threatening her best-intentioned caregiving plans. Her normally sweet-natured dad–a former mailman who experienced too many run-ins with biting dogs–is adamant about wanting nothing to do with her big black Labrador. But as Rachel tends to the escalating physical and emotional needs of each, she notices the striking similarities in their aging processes, and realizes these two souls whom she loves deeply are on the same journey. With time working against her, Rachel must find a way to transform their uneasy truce into a trusting companionship. In doing so, she hopes to make their shared journey less lonely and frightening-and more bearable for those who must someday let them go.
301 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2020
191 people are currently reading
1173 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Warner
5 books69 followersFollowing a successful career in banking, Rebecca pursued her lifelong dream of writing. Her first novel, Moral Infidelity, won the Readers’ Favorite Bronze Medal in Thrillers. Moral Infidelity was republished on January 11, 2022 by Black Rose Writing.
Rebecca's second novel, Doubling Back To Love, was included in Goodreads’ third most popular romantic anthology of all time, Peace, Love & Romance.
Her most recent book, My Dad My Dog, which is based on her experiences of being a caregiver to her parents and elderly dogs, has been an Amazon #1 bestselling book in all three of its categories.
Rebecca realizes that she's simply not capable of writing and publishing a book each year. She surely admires those authors who do, but she loves to read more than write. If she could, she would lie about all day swathed in cashmere clothing and silk bedding while devouring chocolate and books with equal zeal.
In reality, when she’s not writing or reading, Rebecca loves to explore the great outdoors in and around beautiful Asheville, North Carolina, where she lives with her husband and their feisty Blue Heeler. Please visit her website at www.rebeccajwarner.com
Rebecca's second novel, Doubling Back To Love, was included in Goodreads’ third most popular romantic anthology of all time, Peace, Love & Romance.
Her most recent book, My Dad My Dog, which is based on her experiences of being a caregiver to her parents and elderly dogs, has been an Amazon #1 bestselling book in all three of its categories.
Rebecca realizes that she's simply not capable of writing and publishing a book each year. She surely admires those authors who do, but she loves to read more than write. If she could, she would lie about all day swathed in cashmere clothing and silk bedding while devouring chocolate and books with equal zeal.
In reality, when she’s not writing or reading, Rebecca loves to explore the great outdoors in and around beautiful Asheville, North Carolina, where she lives with her husband and their feisty Blue Heeler. Please visit her website at www.rebeccajwarner.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
November 5, 2020
Gosh, I loved this book. There’s so much here I could relate to with my own father having health difficulties in the last year. The only difference is my dad is a huge dog and animal lover, and I know he would love Rachel’s lab (I learned most of my animal loving ways from my dad, and I am so fortunate that he and my mom let us have so many animals growing up).
In this book, Rachel works to build a relationship between her dad and dog so that they can forge a bond in their aging process. The story is thoughtful and just as emotional as you imagine. I loved the characters. They are well-drawn and vividly real.
My review for this one is short, but my emotions run deep. This is a loving,, relatable, and moving tribute to aging parents and aging dogs. I’m grateful Rebecca shared this story with us.
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
In this book, Rachel works to build a relationship between her dad and dog so that they can forge a bond in their aging process. The story is thoughtful and just as emotional as you imagine. I loved the characters. They are well-drawn and vividly real.
My review for this one is short, but my emotions run deep. This is a loving,, relatable, and moving tribute to aging parents and aging dogs. I’m grateful Rebecca shared this story with us.
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
December 4, 2020
What an emotional and heartfelt, uplifting read. I was all tears and smiles reading this book. It came at just the right time as I lost my dad while reading this book.
Warner has a gift, her writing style was right on point and I enjoyed this read.
I gave this book 4 stars and I hope that you grab your copy, get a few extra copies it would make a wonderful gift.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.
Warner has a gift, her writing style was right on point and I enjoyed this read.
I gave this book 4 stars and I hope that you grab your copy, get a few extra copies it would make a wonderful gift.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.
November 10, 2020
Rebecca Warner delivers with her book My Dad My Dog, an emotional and uplifting read about a woman coming into terms with her role as a daughter and a caregiver her father afflicted with Alzheimer’s, and an animal lover to her most loyal, loving, and aging dog.
As a nurse, I have seen this too many times as families try to cope with aging parents, and where the children go through a role reversal being the caregivers.
Warner captured all the emotions, and family dynamics, in a well-researched background on the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. There is nothing more tragic than seeing someone you love with the disease, and seeing them progress suffering from memory loss to uncontrollable behavioral and anger issues.
The characters were well written, and the story gave the range of emotions from tears to laughter, which I really enjoyed.
As a nurse, I have seen this too many times as families try to cope with aging parents, and where the children go through a role reversal being the caregivers.
Warner captured all the emotions, and family dynamics, in a well-researched background on the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. There is nothing more tragic than seeing someone you love with the disease, and seeing them progress suffering from memory loss to uncontrollable behavioral and anger issues.
The characters were well written, and the story gave the range of emotions from tears to laughter, which I really enjoyed.
October 6, 2020
Rebecca Warner's My Dad My Dog captures the all-too-real world of caregiving for our elderly parents and dogs. Warner writes smart, sensitive fiction, capturing commitment and sacrifice, and the rare, unconditional love that accompanies it.
November 5, 2020
An emotional ride but worth the journey.
Rachel Morgan (no relation. 😉) and her husband have fallen on some uncertain times. Feeling the financial pinch they decide it's time to bring her Alzheimer's afflicted father from the care facility to live with them in their home. Once there her dad makes it clear he wants nothing to do with their dog. So begins this heartwarming story filled with love, respect and endearment.
Having lost my mother earlier this year after taking care of her at home, I completely related to the little 'wins' and disheartening setbacks of this story. Beautifully written, the characters, both human and canine are fully realized who you can't help having feelings for. One minute, while reading, I would be struggling to see through the tears while the next I'd be chuckling. Given the theme and circumstances of the story, the ending is predictable but that doesn't detract at all from the journey. Although it's a fictional story it's inspired by the authors own experiences and reads like a memoir.
I loved this little gem and highly recommend it!
.
Thanks to the author, Get Red PR and Suzy Approved Book Tours for the gifted copy and including me on this tour.
Rachel Morgan (no relation. 😉) and her husband have fallen on some uncertain times. Feeling the financial pinch they decide it's time to bring her Alzheimer's afflicted father from the care facility to live with them in their home. Once there her dad makes it clear he wants nothing to do with their dog. So begins this heartwarming story filled with love, respect and endearment.
Having lost my mother earlier this year after taking care of her at home, I completely related to the little 'wins' and disheartening setbacks of this story. Beautifully written, the characters, both human and canine are fully realized who you can't help having feelings for. One minute, while reading, I would be struggling to see through the tears while the next I'd be chuckling. Given the theme and circumstances of the story, the ending is predictable but that doesn't detract at all from the journey. Although it's a fictional story it's inspired by the authors own experiences and reads like a memoir.
I loved this little gem and highly recommend it!
.
Thanks to the author, Get Red PR and Suzy Approved Book Tours for the gifted copy and including me on this tour.
October 21, 2020
Maybe it’s the stage of life I am in with my own parents, but I could not stop reading this beautifully written book. I am also a “lab lover” and could see and feel all the scenes as described. What a beautiful memorial to the authors dad and her beloved lab. Anyone who is or has struggled to care for an aging parent, especially with dementia, will find themselves in this book. So much love she has for her father and her dog and how she watches them both age with health decline at the same time. The day her father comes to live with her he wants the dog gone. The transformation is a story all of itself. I gave me tears but also so many smiles. Highly recommend this one. Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the ARC
October 11, 2020
There is so much to love about this book! The characters really come to life, and I cared so much about all of them. The mountain setting in North Carolina is beautifully described, as are the challenging days in Rachel's life. I experienced so many emotions while reading this -- I would have tears in my eyes one minute and then be laughing the next. Rebecca Warner has a talent for touching one's heart and then tickling the funny bone. The deep love between the characters, whether human or canine, is extraordinary and affirming. You will feel uplifted after reading this inspiring story.
November 1, 2020
Let me begin by saying, the bond between someone and a pet - be it a dog, a cat, whatever it may be is truly unbreakable and truly healing in so many ways.
I love the setting of this story, North Carolina mountains, the descriptions are mesmerizing.
Rebecca takes you through the challenges and celebrations of taking care of our elderly parents. The deep love between the characters is eminent, whether it be human or a pet. She depicts the sacrifices that are made but also the joy that is there as well. Such a heartwarming book.
I love the setting of this story, North Carolina mountains, the descriptions are mesmerizing.
Rebecca takes you through the challenges and celebrations of taking care of our elderly parents. The deep love between the characters is eminent, whether it be human or a pet. She depicts the sacrifices that are made but also the joy that is there as well. Such a heartwarming book.
January 13, 2021
This novel is a tender homage to caregivers who are struggling with the emotions of end-of-life care as well as the exhausting physical requirements that it entails. Told with beauty and grace, it is relatable to those who have been through it and inspiring to those who will. Warner makes the reader feel as if you are right there in the home, which is always the best kind of story.
Want to read
December 19, 2024Virtually everyone will be touched by Alzheimer’s disease in their lifetime, either through a parent, a friend, a relative, or perhaps even a spouse or themself. In fact, it has been reported that every 66 seconds, someone in the United States develops this heartbreaking disease.
𝙈𝙮 𝘿𝙖𝙙, 𝙈𝙮 𝘿𝙤𝙜 is a heart-warming and touching story about a woman who becomes a caregiver for both her Alzheimer’s–afflicted dad and her sweet-natured, war-hero elderly black lab. It is a book that you will think about it long after you turn the last page. Being extremely close to my dad, and a huge dog lover, this book was meaningful and beautiful to me (yes, I cried - a lot!)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆:
When she moves her Alzheimer’s-afflicted dad into the home that she shares with her husband and elderly dog, Rachel Morgan expects some complications – but she never imagines she’ll encounter the biggest one on the first day. Her normally sweet-natured Dad – a former mailman who’s known too many biting dogs – wants nothing to do with her big black Labrador.
But as Rachel attends to the escalating physical and emotional needs of each, she notices striking similarities in their aging processes and realizes that these two souls whom she loves deeply are on the same journey. With time working against her, Rachel must find a way to transform their uneasy truce into a trusting companionship. In doing so, she hopes to make their journey less lonely and frightening, and more bearable for those who someday must let them go.
A huge thanks to @rebeccaljwarner and @blackrosewriting for this heartfelt and uplifting novel, and to @suzyapprovedbooktours and @getredpr for letting me be part of this tour. This book will be available on November 19, at Amazon and other booksellers.
𝙈𝙮 𝘿𝙖𝙙, 𝙈𝙮 𝘿𝙤𝙜 is a heart-warming and touching story about a woman who becomes a caregiver for both her Alzheimer’s–afflicted dad and her sweet-natured, war-hero elderly black lab. It is a book that you will think about it long after you turn the last page. Being extremely close to my dad, and a huge dog lover, this book was meaningful and beautiful to me (yes, I cried - a lot!)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆:
When she moves her Alzheimer’s-afflicted dad into the home that she shares with her husband and elderly dog, Rachel Morgan expects some complications – but she never imagines she’ll encounter the biggest one on the first day. Her normally sweet-natured Dad – a former mailman who’s known too many biting dogs – wants nothing to do with her big black Labrador.
But as Rachel attends to the escalating physical and emotional needs of each, she notices striking similarities in their aging processes and realizes that these two souls whom she loves deeply are on the same journey. With time working against her, Rachel must find a way to transform their uneasy truce into a trusting companionship. In doing so, she hopes to make their journey less lonely and frightening, and more bearable for those who someday must let them go.
A huge thanks to @rebeccaljwarner and @blackrosewriting for this heartfelt and uplifting novel, and to @suzyapprovedbooktours and @getredpr for letting me be part of this tour. This book will be available on November 19, at Amazon and other booksellers.
November 20, 2020
I received a free electronic ARC of this awesome memoir from Netgalley, Rebecca Warner, and Black Rose Publishers. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read My Dad My Dog of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. Rebecca Warner writes a story filled with heart and soul and shares with us some of the doubts and unanswered questions those of us blessed with the job of seeing our elder folk off to their next level of their soul's existence.
The hardest thing I have ever done is assisting family members to say goodbye to this world and hello to the next. Rebecca Warner finds a way to answer all those questions you are plagued with when in that circumstance, gives us permission to have doubts, and helps us through those so hard days where every minute brings another decision to be made, and another occasion to doubt your instincts. It is a leaden weight to carry on your heart but at the same time, you know you are being blessed with this burden of goodbyes. Rebecca Warner helps us put these feelings into balance. My next trip down this road will be much easier trod. Thank you, Rebecca.
pub date Nov 19, 2020
Black Rose Publishers
Reviewed on November 14, 2020, at Goodreads and Netgalley. Reviewed on November 20, 2020, on AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, Kobo, and GooglePlay.
The hardest thing I have ever done is assisting family members to say goodbye to this world and hello to the next. Rebecca Warner finds a way to answer all those questions you are plagued with when in that circumstance, gives us permission to have doubts, and helps us through those so hard days where every minute brings another decision to be made, and another occasion to doubt your instincts. It is a leaden weight to carry on your heart but at the same time, you know you are being blessed with this burden of goodbyes. Rebecca Warner helps us put these feelings into balance. My next trip down this road will be much easier trod. Thank you, Rebecca.
pub date Nov 19, 2020
Black Rose Publishers
Reviewed on November 14, 2020, at Goodreads and Netgalley. Reviewed on November 20, 2020, on AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, Kobo, and GooglePlay.
October 2, 2021
A wonderful, yet sad, true story of the author's experience of caregiving her father and her aging dog. I found it very enjoyable to read, yet also difficult due to the subject matter, her father's eminent death and cognitive decline due to Alzheimer's. I appreciated the things she had learned and was passing on to her readers. I also found her storytelling craft to be superb and her editing impeccable. This is a great book to read, not just for those who have experienced a similar situation. It's just a good book, a well-told story.
What I found especially significant was how she grew during the experience. She shares her observations about herself, such as noting the privileged lifestyle she and her husband enjoyed before her father's stay at her home. Finances change, lives change, and much is lost or let go in the process. However, she's not complaining, but opening herself to the unknown, willing to set aside the privileged lifestyle for the privilege of being with her father in his final days. She is given the gift of learning something about her father she had never known and witnessing the remarkable bonding between this man she respects and adores and the very special dog that shares their home.
What I found especially significant was how she grew during the experience. She shares her observations about herself, such as noting the privileged lifestyle she and her husband enjoyed before her father's stay at her home. Finances change, lives change, and much is lost or let go in the process. However, she's not complaining, but opening herself to the unknown, willing to set aside the privileged lifestyle for the privilege of being with her father in his final days. She is given the gift of learning something about her father she had never known and witnessing the remarkable bonding between this man she respects and adores and the very special dog that shares their home.
November 15, 2020
I really wanted to like this one. The novel is from a Southern author and takes place in a Southern setting, both things I appreciate. Plus, I was fortunate enough to win this book via Goodreads Giveaways. And the author was kind enough to sign the book, as well as to include a lovely bookmark, as well as a hand-written note.
All of that said, I only made it to page 122 of 278 before I had to call it quits. The story is the fruit of author Rebecca Warner’s time as a home caregiver for her parents, and it shows. While there is much to learn here about the struggles of ailing parents, something which all of us will likely deal with at some point in our lives, the novel read a bit more like a diary of Warner’s experiences. Perhaps a memoir, infused with a bit more emotion, would have been a better outlet for this tale.
I can recommend this one as immensely valuable for those desiring of learning what it’s like to care for a parent in your home. If you’re looking for moving fiction, this would not be the one to choose.
Regardless, a hearty thank you to Rebecca Warner, Black Rose Writing, and Goodreads Giveaways for the complimentary copy of the book.
All of that said, I only made it to page 122 of 278 before I had to call it quits. The story is the fruit of author Rebecca Warner’s time as a home caregiver for her parents, and it shows. While there is much to learn here about the struggles of ailing parents, something which all of us will likely deal with at some point in our lives, the novel read a bit more like a diary of Warner’s experiences. Perhaps a memoir, infused with a bit more emotion, would have been a better outlet for this tale.
I can recommend this one as immensely valuable for those desiring of learning what it’s like to care for a parent in your home. If you’re looking for moving fiction, this would not be the one to choose.
Regardless, a hearty thank you to Rebecca Warner, Black Rose Writing, and Goodreads Giveaways for the complimentary copy of the book.
October 22, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
What a touching book this is. As a dog lover and having family members who had Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, I really had a lot of emotions while reading this. It may be fiction (although Joe and Nick were real) but it easily could be about a lot of caregivers and the stresses they face. What a wonderful story.
What a touching book this is. As a dog lover and having family members who had Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, I really had a lot of emotions while reading this. It may be fiction (although Joe and Nick were real) but it easily could be about a lot of caregivers and the stresses they face. What a wonderful story.
November 26, 2020
I just put my tissue down long enough to write this review. This touching story about love and responsibility is outstanding. Both an 86 year old man and an elderly black lab experience the aging process together. Rachael and her husband David have relocated her father from a nursing home to an apartment in their home. They hire some help to wash, toilet, and feed him since he is suffering from dementia, parkinson's, and diabetes. Since she only works half a day, Rachael and David are responsible for his needs in her absence. I found this biographical story causing me to shed a few tears.
November 18, 2020
Warning: Make sure you have a box of tissues by your chair when you start reading this book.
An excellent heart warming / tugging story of one woman's journey with her aging father at the same time her much loved lab is getting old. As her father's age related illnesses advance, she will share her home becoming his principal caregiver. This emotional decision is complicated by her father's reaction to her pet. Time seems to pass quickly when all you want it to do is slow down as she learns to slowly say goodbye. It was very hard to finish this book through the tears.
An excellent heart warming / tugging story of one woman's journey with her aging father at the same time her much loved lab is getting old. As her father's age related illnesses advance, she will share her home becoming his principal caregiver. This emotional decision is complicated by her father's reaction to her pet. Time seems to pass quickly when all you want it to do is slow down as she learns to slowly say goodbye. It was very hard to finish this book through the tears.
November 1, 2020
This book....I had so many emotions running thru me while reading it. One minute I’d be laughing hysterically, the next I would be crying.
This story hit home for so many reasons. My dad was a mailman for over 30 years, and I have had loved ones with dementia. Plus being a caregiver for an ailing pet who was my child. They way Rebecca wrote this book was so poignant and beautiful. It’s a story everyone can relate to in some fashion. Very highly recommend this book!!!
November 18, 2021
A very good read
I enjoyed reading this fascinating story about a daughter who is an inspiration to us. Her descriptions of how she coped with her dependent father and her dog are complex, because of their needs. The characters were well described so that I felt as if I knew them. There were highs and lows , with tears, smiles and love.
I enjoyed reading this fascinating story about a daughter who is an inspiration to us. Her descriptions of how she coped with her dependent father and her dog are complex, because of their needs. The characters were well described so that I felt as if I knew them. There were highs and lows , with tears, smiles and love.
November 23, 2020
For anyone who has lost a parent, author Rebecca Warner now provides a satisfying catharsis.
Chronicling the final year of an aging war hero under the watchful eye and gentle care of his adult daughter, My Dad, My Dog engages the reader from start to end with an almost impossible to set down story. The story is brought to life through an entire cast of caregivers and family members. Papa Joe, a retired mail carrier and a WWII veteran who never talks about it, becomes a member of your family. Nick, a black Labrador retriever, also becomes the loyal, aging dog everyone remembers.
When a downturn in the real estate markets requires daughter Rachel and her husband David to move her dad from a retirement village into their home, the competition begins. As Nick, who has always been the center of attention, gets moved aside for the postman who has a bad history with dogs, the competition begins.
Through masterful storytelling, Warner takes you through the highs and lows, the tedious tasks and the moments of delight that accompany caretaking for a parent. As their adventure proceeds, she discovers much about her father that she never would have known. She also finds her own strengths and points of pain to work through.
The title itself gives you some sense of where the story is leading. Learning to accept the aid of home health workers and aging experts requires giving up some control and acceptance of the overwhelming nature of the situation. Allowing the weight to fall to enjoy the days when her dad is his old self also requires Rachel to grow and find depth in those days, then hours, then moments. The story doesn’t end in a wrenching ‘Ole Yeller” climax. Without providing a spoiler, the apogee is thoughtful and comforting, bringing both closure and hope for the lead characters.
Having experienced much of Rachel’s story with my own mother, it’s easy and helpful to share hers. I’d strongly recommend it as a salve to others who have gone through the same and as an preparation for those with parents entering their golden years. Rachel’s a good daughter and, yes, Papa Joe and Nick may learn to get along.
Chronicling the final year of an aging war hero under the watchful eye and gentle care of his adult daughter, My Dad, My Dog engages the reader from start to end with an almost impossible to set down story. The story is brought to life through an entire cast of caregivers and family members. Papa Joe, a retired mail carrier and a WWII veteran who never talks about it, becomes a member of your family. Nick, a black Labrador retriever, also becomes the loyal, aging dog everyone remembers.
When a downturn in the real estate markets requires daughter Rachel and her husband David to move her dad from a retirement village into their home, the competition begins. As Nick, who has always been the center of attention, gets moved aside for the postman who has a bad history with dogs, the competition begins.
Through masterful storytelling, Warner takes you through the highs and lows, the tedious tasks and the moments of delight that accompany caretaking for a parent. As their adventure proceeds, she discovers much about her father that she never would have known. She also finds her own strengths and points of pain to work through.
The title itself gives you some sense of where the story is leading. Learning to accept the aid of home health workers and aging experts requires giving up some control and acceptance of the overwhelming nature of the situation. Allowing the weight to fall to enjoy the days when her dad is his old self also requires Rachel to grow and find depth in those days, then hours, then moments. The story doesn’t end in a wrenching ‘Ole Yeller” climax. Without providing a spoiler, the apogee is thoughtful and comforting, bringing both closure and hope for the lead characters.
Having experienced much of Rachel’s story with my own mother, it’s easy and helpful to share hers. I’d strongly recommend it as a salve to others who have gone through the same and as an preparation for those with parents entering their golden years. Rachel’s a good daughter and, yes, Papa Joe and Nick may learn to get along.
Read
November 7, 2020Going into this book I knew it would be an emotional and beautiful read. Everything just comes to life as you flip through the pages and dive into the story. And with the prevalence of Alzheimers in society this is a story that nearly everyone can connect with. It’s just such a poignant and timely book and I really enjoyed being able to sit down and take some time with it.
Be prepared when going into this book and have a stack of tissues at the ready if you cry even remotely easily. This is such a powerful book and you’ll need that at least at some point. The characters are all just so relatable and you’ll easily become invested in their experiences and interactions.
I don’t often read books about dogs, especially aging ones, because they’re always so sad. But this was a book I couldn’t pass up. It is heartwarming and sad all at the same time but it’s one of those books that just makes you feel like it was an important read. And it is also a read that will stick with you for a long time after you’ve finished.
You can view my full review on my blog! I also post about a lot of different types of books!
Reader | Bookstagrammer | Blogger | Reviewer
@ya.its.lit - https://www.instagram.com/ya.its.lit/
Blog - https://yaitslitblog.wordpress.com/
Be prepared when going into this book and have a stack of tissues at the ready if you cry even remotely easily. This is such a powerful book and you’ll need that at least at some point. The characters are all just so relatable and you’ll easily become invested in their experiences and interactions.
I don’t often read books about dogs, especially aging ones, because they’re always so sad. But this was a book I couldn’t pass up. It is heartwarming and sad all at the same time but it’s one of those books that just makes you feel like it was an important read. And it is also a read that will stick with you for a long time after you’ve finished.
You can view my full review on my blog! I also post about a lot of different types of books!
Reader | Bookstagrammer | Blogger | Reviewer
@ya.its.lit - https://www.instagram.com/ya.its.lit/
Blog - https://yaitslitblog.wordpress.com/
January 12, 2022
My goodness, this book packs a real emotional punch!
From the back blurb alone I knew that this book was going to be a hard yet deeply heart-wrenching book to read, yet I was pulled towards it and compelled to read it something which I am so pleased I did., this book will stay with me for a very long time.
It's not just that it's a deeply emotional story of love and loss, but it touched my heart especially as we lost my grandmother to Alzheimer's and in the same year I lost my beloved old dog, and I am a carer for my ailing parents and an animal lover - especially dogs this book brought all the emotions flooding in.
The author has done an incredible job at portraying so much grief and love and loss into the story, the characters a beautifully written and realistic , you feel everything you can relate to so much of what the characters are going through and that alone makes this book incredibly special.
It's not easy, it's hard and heat-breaking but it's well worth every tear you will shed as you read.
From the back blurb alone I knew that this book was going to be a hard yet deeply heart-wrenching book to read, yet I was pulled towards it and compelled to read it something which I am so pleased I did., this book will stay with me for a very long time.
It's not just that it's a deeply emotional story of love and loss, but it touched my heart especially as we lost my grandmother to Alzheimer's and in the same year I lost my beloved old dog, and I am a carer for my ailing parents and an animal lover - especially dogs this book brought all the emotions flooding in.
The author has done an incredible job at portraying so much grief and love and loss into the story, the characters a beautifully written and realistic , you feel everything you can relate to so much of what the characters are going through and that alone makes this book incredibly special.
It's not easy, it's hard and heat-breaking but it's well worth every tear you will shed as you read.
December 15, 2020
The knot in my stomach is unraveling with each mile I drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This is the opening sentence to My Dad My Dog. I love a book that starts off with a great hook and I was hooked from the very first sentence to the last page of the story. Rebecca Warner paints a beautiful story about the relationship between her Alzheimer dad and her elderly dog Nick. Although this relationship starts off a bit rocky, the time they do have together is very heartwarming. Throughout the book I was able to interact with so many great characters.
But this story isn’t just about an ailing dad or a dog suffering from hip dysplasia. It’s also about family and the power of love. If you’re looking for an inspirational story about love and hope and life, I’d recommend you read My Dad My Dog.
But this story isn’t just about an ailing dad or a dog suffering from hip dysplasia. It’s also about family and the power of love. If you’re looking for an inspirational story about love and hope and life, I’d recommend you read My Dad My Dog.
January 15, 2021
A very touching and moving book. My eyes teared up a little over and over again. It's obvious how close to the author's heart and life the story is. Maybe I could have done with a little less medical details, which are not always completely believably woven into the dialogue, and there's a lot less dog than dad there (which is, of course, understandable, but somehow the title and synopsis made me expect more dog)- but I didn't mind any of that while reading, I was completely carried away by this intimate view into a primary caregiver's life.
January 13, 2021
In My Dad My Dog, Warner tells with unfailing honesty the poignant story of the challenges caring for an ailing father and dog. Physically and emotionally drained, we see how her spirit digs deep to keep moving forward in her quest to do everything humanly possible for two people she loves. But like all of life’s polar opposites, she shares moments of joy and laughter and the unadulterated devotion for the husband whose commitment and support never waver. A must read!
April 18, 2021
“My Dad My Dog” is a well-written memoir about how the author and her family coped with their beloved father’s Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The book is a personal, and open reflection on the challenges that these serious diseases can bring to everyone involved.
Not only was the author managing her ailing father, but her believed dog was also succumbing to old age, and she and her spouse were dealing with the impact of The Great Recession on their lives. The author presents her daily life in a real and compassionate way. She shares the joys of a happy Christmas and Birthday celebration, the weariness that only caregivers know, and the frustration when things go wrong. Readers who are also on this caregiving journey will be encouraged and supported by the author’s warm, yet very real, words. Highly recommend.
Not only was the author managing her ailing father, but her believed dog was also succumbing to old age, and she and her spouse were dealing with the impact of The Great Recession on their lives. The author presents her daily life in a real and compassionate way. She shares the joys of a happy Christmas and Birthday celebration, the weariness that only caregivers know, and the frustration when things go wrong. Readers who are also on this caregiving journey will be encouraged and supported by the author’s warm, yet very real, words. Highly recommend.
October 31, 2020
This is a beautiful, well depicted story about family, love,. friendship, grief, and acceptance.
The patriarch of the family, now needs complete care due to Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease and is Rachel's father.
Not only is this not easy for dad, Joe, but it is devastating and exhausting for Rachel who becomes his primary caregiver in her home with her husband, and their beloved lab, Nick..
"Caregiving isn't just about taking care of physical needs. It's also about uplifting a person who, day by day, is becoming more helpless."
As a Geriatric nurse and also a family caregiver, this book is spot-on!
The feelings of overwhelming anxiety, fear, compassion, anger and true love come through each page!
It is definitely a must read for everyone, since we all know someone!
The patriarch of the family, now needs complete care due to Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease and is Rachel's father.
Not only is this not easy for dad, Joe, but it is devastating and exhausting for Rachel who becomes his primary caregiver in her home with her husband, and their beloved lab, Nick..
"Caregiving isn't just about taking care of physical needs. It's also about uplifting a person who, day by day, is becoming more helpless."
As a Geriatric nurse and also a family caregiver, this book is spot-on!
The feelings of overwhelming anxiety, fear, compassion, anger and true love come through each page!
It is definitely a must read for everyone, since we all know someone!
December 6, 2020
Rachel Morgan must move her Dad from the Crestview Assisted Living Facility into her home with her husband David and their elderly dog Nick. It is a big adjustment for everyone. Even with the help of her husband and a part time aid, Rachel struggles with the needs of both her dad and Nick. They are similar in the aging process. She needs to get her Dad to see they need each other for companionship through this journey.
This emotional story is heartbreaking, heartwarming and at times funny. It reads like a memoir as Rebecca has taken her experiences of being the caregiver of her elderly parents into this story. The characters and story are relatable as many of us are now facing the struggle of taking care of our elderly parents. We learn that it is not good to dwell on what we had in the past, but to enjoy and take pleasure in the present.
Thank you to Rebecca Warner, Getredpr and Suzy Approved Book Tours for including me in this tour and this is my honest review.
This emotional story is heartbreaking, heartwarming and at times funny. It reads like a memoir as Rebecca has taken her experiences of being the caregiver of her elderly parents into this story. The characters and story are relatable as many of us are now facing the struggle of taking care of our elderly parents. We learn that it is not good to dwell on what we had in the past, but to enjoy and take pleasure in the present.
Thank you to Rebecca Warner, Getredpr and Suzy Approved Book Tours for including me in this tour and this is my honest review.
October 17, 2020
A powerful tribute to the contribution which animals make to human well-being. Yes, there is pathos here, but the biggest message is one of love and the Joy of friendship which transcends species. An interesting perspective of a very difficult time.
June 10, 2021
I couldn't stop reading this book. It touched me so deeply. My parents thankfully did not have Alzheimer's, but I moved them from our home in Louisiana to Louisville, KY where I have lived for 45 years. My sisters live in 2 different Southern states and I knew I would be the most likely to care for them. They bought a condo and I went to them almost every day. My mom had followed after her mother and grandmother by having a debilitating stroke after she had recovered from open chest surgery. On one of my visits home, I questioned her about the constant wheezing she was experiencing and took her to the Dr. She had a serious heart valve problem an needed immediate surgery. It was after this that I really needed to uproot them to 850 miles away from all they knew. It was an awesome undertaking, but with my husband and a friend doing moving truck, I took on moving Mama and Daddy. I have MS, Daddy had COPD, and Mom needed all the help we could give her. We also traveled with our 2 dogs; and we made it! After a couple of years Daddy and I could not help Mom daily by ourselves. It took about a year and a half to finally get her settled into a nursing home we felt we could trust. Daddy was able to live at home about another year before he went there also. I was not as strong as I needed to be to take on all the tasks and demands and expectations of my home and the care and attention they still needed even in the nursing home. Without my husband's help, I would have collapsed myself. My sisters came to visit a couple of times a year if they could, always promised to help me with some things here, going through Mama and Daddy's belongings from the condo. They never had time to do that kind of stuff because they wanted to spend all of their time with our parents which I understood, I really did, but I also had my father-in-law in the same nursing home, who needed some attention, and his household goods to sort through. (My mother-in-law passed before the nursing home played into view) . I felt guilty.every day about what I hadn't done for someone, husband, parents, children, grandchildren, friends and just forget myself! My Daddy wanted me to visit every day. I did their laundry at home and took them to all their Dr's appointments with wheelchairs and a large oxygen tank on rollers. My sisters made phone calls and sent flowers and cookies. My younger (middle) sister told me before I moved them here that she wasn't going to take them to all those Dr's appointments, that was just ridiculous! That's why I moved them here.
October 8, 2020
Rebecca Warner paints a beautiful, timely portrait of unconditional love in her novel about Rachel, who becomes responsible for the care of her elderly dad and dog. No one tops her ability to create hope and triumphs, or characters who feel real. My Dad My Dog will linger on as a magnificent achievement from a gifted writer.
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