You Had Me at Woof: How Dogs Taught Me the Secrets of Happiness

I loved this book! I have wanted a Boston Terrier all my life. Like the author, I felt some inexplicable affinity for the breed without knowing a thing about them. To me their quirky faces and dynamic attitudes are the finest that dogs have to offer us humans. I have had my share of dogs over the years and have loved most of them deeply, but as Woof points out there are certain dogs that capture us and with whom we "fall in love". Because I now have a Boston that has wormed her way into my heart in this way I was attracted to this book while scouring the internet for BT memorabilia. After reading the reviews it was a no-brainer to order myself a copy. Of course I can't say whether I would have loved the book as much as I did if I didn't have a Boston Terrier myself but I think that I would have been totally charmed in any case. The book is at once touching, hilarious, and smart. It is moving without being trite and heartbreaking without being maudlin. Most of all, this is an inspiring read about love and the joy that exists in connection, whether with a dog or another person. I am lucky enough to have one of these black and white packages of sheer delight in my life and therefore this book will have a permanent home on my coffee table, but I would venture to say that just about anyone would find this a very worthwhile read. I was sad when the book ended. Julie Klam has created a world I didn't want to leave.

I’m glad New Yorkers are known for loving their dogs. This is a lovely thing about New York. To me, personally, however, dogs are generally in a terrible predicament when they are born, because they are at the mercy of people. And to my experience people are just terrible creatures. Poor dogs.

There are so many dog books that just don't capture the pure experience of being a true "dog person" but Julie Klam is the real thing! With every word I saw myself and felt so glad I wasnot alone in my obsession with my dog! Julie's story is at first laugh at loud funny and thendevastatingly sad, ups and downs anyone who does rescue work knows well. Someone mentioned that the "new age" class she talked about ruined the book, but I have had this experience myself. Looking for a career that would enable me to spend more time with my dog, always led me to workshops and classes with "new age" type people I didn't fit in with. How to create a life that is centered around your dog, and make enough to pay your bills is something I have struggled with for years, as well as many of my friends. This story was one I couldn't wait to get back too and was sorry when it was over!

I heard Julie Klam talk about her life as a dog rescuer on NPR. She had me at Woof! I was so drawn by her story of dog rescue that I had to read her book. I laughed and cried (sometimes at the same time) at her exploits with Otto, her beloved Boston Terrier. If you love dogs, you will not want to put this book down. If you are thinking of being a dog rescuer you MUST read this story. I will be reading more of her books...she is an angel for discarded puppies. And I have have a rescue dog that is the most loving little dog. Please don't buy a puppy when there are so many unwanted dogs in shelters and pounds. They will give you a lifetime of love and loyalty. Thank you Julie!!

My husband and I have fostered about a dozen dogs in the past year and a half and I found myself relating to almost every story in this book. Some of the heartbreaking stories hit very close to home, but mostly I found myself laughing out loud! Some of the stuff you deal with when fostering dogs (example: when your husband calls freaking out because the foster pups have poo'ed all over the house!)is absolutely hilarious!! This book is a very accurate description of what doggie foster parents deal with every day. Working with a dog rescue is mostly heartbreaking, but when you are able to rehabilitate just one dog, and find them the most perfect family ever, it makes all of the effort completely worth it! I recommend this book to anyone that is involved with dog rescue, is considering becoming involved with dog rescue, or is just a dog lover :)

I have had 4 Boston terriers so far in my life as well as some other breeds so I was really interested in reading this book. My first dog as a kid was a Boston. I found it to be comical at times but didn't feel a real sense of compassion for certain rescue dogs she encountered. That made me feel a bit taken back during certain parts of the book. I liked the end but just struggled with seeing a true passion or compassion for dogs during her journey.

Julie Klam talks again about some of her dog adoptions. She's a funny writer, with all kinds of stories about her life with dogs, and her life with a Boston Terrier rescue group. There's the elderly dog whom everyone expected to die very soon, but ends up having 2 puppies. And a beloved dog that gets loose in traffic. She talks about people who rescue dogs the people the dogs are rescued from. Some stories are funny,like taking out her pack of "a- holes", who would even fight geriatric dogs if given a chance, and picking up after them.Her husband steps in a mess in the house with bare feet and asks her why she can't rescue cakes instead of dogs.Other stories are sad, but this is a very good book!

I have to be honest- I picked this book up because of that remarkable cover ( kudos to designer and photographer) and what I was delighted to find in these pages is a memoir with such humor, depth and emotional resonance that I was simply blown away. Klam is a writer that exposes her vulnerability in a fearless way, all while respecting the reader. She is never heavy handed, instead she offers her hand in the most lovely and hilarious way. Who can resist a writer that speaks about her dogs in relation to the temporary strain they caused in her marriage by saying, " Our marriage was strong, but those puppies could chew through anything." What I was left with after reading this book is that the way we love our dogs mirrors how we love each other and ourselves. A surprisingly thought-provoking, hilarious memoir that will make you love your pets even more.

I really enjoyed this book, but I couldn't really tell you why. Essentially it is just a short book about a woman who buys a dog and her subsequent life looking to replace that dog once it dies. What she finds out is that you can never replace a dog, each dog is its own animal and you learn individual lessons from each one - whether you love it as your best friend or simply end up sharing your house with him/her whilst he/she does their own thing. I didn't really learn anything from this book or leave feeling all that warm and fuzzy, but it was an easy read and it is nice knowing that my 'arghhh dogs are such a pain' moments are universal and hear how happy dogs are making other people too.

I love this book, Bought it since i am a proud owner of a Boston Terrier. Brought tears and laughter. A book i would recommand if you love dogs.

The story is not bad, but neither is WOW. Love the breed and had to read this book, glad I did, loved all the bostons that cane into the author's life.

Loving Boston Terriers myself, this book's adorable cover shot was enough to hook me in. The story of rescuing these precious pets made me cry, and made me smile, and definitely did not disappoint.

This book is very cute and makes you love your dog that much more while reading it! If you enjoy reading about dogs or have dogs, you really cannot go wrong with this book!Dogs are great!