Woodrow on the Bench by Jenna Blum

Woodrow on the Bench by Jenna Blum – 208 pages 

ARC provided by author for an honest review 

Book Blurb:

“For anyone who’s ever loved an old dog.”
Since she adopted him as a puppy fifteen years earlier, Jenna Blum and Woodrow have been inseparable. Known to many as “the George Clooney of dogs” for his good looks and charm, Woodrow and his “Mommoo” are fixtures in their Boston neighborhood. But Woodrow is aging. As he begins to fail, the true nature of his extraordinary relationship with Jenna is revealed. Jenna may be the dog parent, but it is Woodrow, with his amazing personality and trusting nature, who has much to teach her. A divorcée who has experienced her share of sadness and loss, Jenna discovers, over the months she spends caring for her ailing dog, what it is to be present in the moment, and what it truly means to love. Aided by an amazing group of friends and buoyed by the support of strangers, Jenna and Woodrow navigate these precious final days together with kindness, humor, and grace. Their unforgettable love story will reaffirm your belief in kindness, break your heart, and leave your spirit soaring.

My Review: 4 stars

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Woodrow on the Bench is an affirmation of the unconditional love between humans and dogs. This gorgeous memoir is more than a story of life with an older dog, it’s also about kindness, good people and reeks with the compassion. Dog lover or not, this book will give you all the feels.

In general, I avoid books with dogs on the cover or where dogs play a big part because I end up ugly crying and emotionally spent. But Jenna Blum, is not only one of my favorite authors, but she’s also and a marketing genius. My book came with dog treats for my dogs, treats for me, waterproof mascara (for the ugly crying), tissues, and more. I’ve watched Jenna and Woodrow grow up together on social media, of course I was going to make an exception and read this book. 

In a just over two-hundred pages, Jenna captures the hilarious moments of puppyhood and all the goodness that goes hand in hand with being a dog owner. She shares the light moments and the serious stuff, both personally and professionally about herself, as well as Woodrow, her steady companion. The people she meets along the way that help her as Woodrow ages, often strangers, showed humanity at its best. The anecdotes shared were heartwarming and sometimes heartbreaking. This book will make an excellent holiday gift for all dog lovers!

Quotes I liked:

As long as the nose and tail still work…the dog is happy.”

“Death was not a respecter of plans. My parents had taught me that.”