Barking at the Moon Review
My entire life I’ve lived with dogs. In fact, I can’t remember a time there wasn’t one breed or another romping around the countryside with me. They are wonderful companions, good at comforting, providing laughter and helping you learn to deal in many situations.
People with dogs believe our canine friends make us healthier, happier, and better humans. That means, we’re often closer to our dog than any other being. And if you’re like me, working alone from home every day, you may find yourself talking to your dog, confessing all sorts of off-the-wall things.
My dogs have comforted me through all the sad and scary feelings: filling the void of loss, helping me face fear, calming me through stress. But they also fill me with joy, keep me active and soothe my soul when I’m restless.
During the day, my 3 rambunctious but sometimes lazy furbaby Huskys keep me company.
Mya with her bossy attitude lets me know when she wants something.
Bella with her sweet, puppy spirit giving me nudges for playtime.
And my sweet old man, JJ, who follows me from room to room, is always at my feet as I work away.
The Review
Today I get to share my review of Tracy Beckerman’s new book, Barking at the Moon, a tale (filled with tails) of Tracy’s first family dog, Riley.
Tracy Beckerman has an incredible sense of humor. And when you get your copy of her new book, Barking at the Moon, you’ll see exactly what I mean. Her tales will have you laughing to the very end.
*Disclaimer: a copy of this book was provided to me to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own. I’m an affiliate for some companies, like Amazon. As a result, I may or may not receive compensation from them.
This book is perfect for anyone with kids and dogs who want a light-hearted look at raising a dog from puppy through life with kids. And for the month of January 2022, you can get the Kindle version for $2.99.
Tracy’s wit and way with dialog make you feel like you are right there in the situation with Riley and his crazy dog adventures. In other words, you may find yourself laughing until you cry as you read this book.
Get the book, Barking at the Moon, to boost your spirits, bring a little light to this crazy time and enjoy just living for fun.
Enjoy this excerpt from the book:
I shook my head. Riley was not a fan of the lampshade cone,
so I asked Dr. Benson if there were any other options. “Well, they ave these things that look like a life preserver to go around his neck,” she said. “Or you can try giving him a pair of boxer shorts to go around his bottom.”
I snorted. “What if he’s more of a briefs guy than a boxer shorts dog?”
“Whatever works,” she said. “I just think your underwear probably won’t give him enough coverage.”
“Well, it doesn’t give me enough coverage, either,” I said.
When we got home, I went into Josh’s room and took a pair of his boxer shorts from his underwear drawer. Josh and Riley were about the same size, so I thought Josh’s would be a better fit than a pair of Joel’s boxer shorts. I wrestled them onto the dog and then pulled his tail through the pee
hole. Then I burst out laughing.
“Oh Riley, you’re a good sport,” I said to him as he stood there in pair of green boxer shorts with soccer balls on them and a fading sense of dignity.
The boxer shorts were not a particularly good look for a retriever . . . nor, I imagined, for any dog for that matter. But I suppose, as far as dog couture goes, it was not as bad as some of the outfits other people dressed their dogs in: the puppy puffer jackets, he canine capelets, and the doggie dancewear. I knew what it was like to be a slave to fashion and suffer through trends
like super low jeans and stirrup pants, but at least those were choices I made, unfortunate as they were. I don’t think any dog in his right mind would ask to wear a doggie motorcycle jacket and goggles, no matter how cool he might look on the back of a Harley.
It’s a safe bet that these dogs are probably the ones that eventually aul their owners.
The funny thing is, not only did Riley not mind the boxers, he actually seemed to like them. After I put them on him, I noticed he had a little extra bounce in his step and a swagger in his strut. The dog clearly dug his shorts.
When Josh got home from school, however, he was not quite as
thrilled that his boxers were being worn by the family pet.
“What’s the problem?” I asked him when I saw him brooding. “I promise I’ll wash them before I give them back to you.”
“I’m not wearing those after the dog wore them,” he said.
“You didn’t hear him complain about wearing your used boxers, did you?” I said.
He frowned. “Yeah. Okay. Whatever. But I don’t want him wearing them in public.”
“Why?”
He thought for a minute. “Well, if he goes out in just boxers, he might get cited for indecent exposure.”
I laughed. “Why would he get stopped for wearing boxers when most of the time he doesn’t wear anything at all?”
“Yeah, well, how would you like it if he wore your underwear?”
“He can’t wear my underwear.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t think he would be comfortable in a thong.”
He made a face. “Ew, Mom. TMI.”
“Look, I’m sorry Riley has to wear your boxers, but the vet said it was necessary and you are the only one in the house with boxer shorts that are the right size.”
Upon hearing his name, Riley came bounding over, his tail wagging vigorously out the hole in the shorts.
Josh couldn’t help but laugh.
“Fine, he can wear my shorts,” he said. “But could you do me one favor?”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“Could you cut my name tag off them?”
Final Thoughts
I sat down to read this book and found myself laughing, nodding my head at the situations Tracy found herself in with Riley. I could relate to the awful smell of Riley rolling in dead carcasses. Or the puke on the only good rug in the house.
Did you enjoy this review? Go ahead and give me your thoughts in the comments below. Or join me on my Social Media pages. I’d love to connect with fellow dog lovers.
P.S. Get your copy of Barking at the Moon right now on Kindle while it’s just $2.99
