Starter Dog

Starter Dog: My path to joy, belonging and loving this world 

By Rona Maynard 

Narrated by the author 

Published April 18, 2023 

My review: 3.5 out of 5 stars 

An irresistible tale of reluctant dog ownership full of heart, humor, and wisdom

Rona Maynard wants to love her life again. Stuck in the what-next doldrums after quitting a big job, she needs a new bridge to the world. So, well into their married life, she lets her husband talk her into their first dog, a rescue mutt named Casey. Rona frets about shedding, lost travel opportunities, and arguments about walking duty. She doubts she can love a dog. But when Casey romps through her door, Rona falls hard. Over time he gives her what no human could—a new way of seeing and a pathway to the heart of a moment. Her downtown neighborhood reveals its true face as she explores it with Casey, making new friends and discovering hidden beauty spots. She learns to have adventures on her own stomping ground. Through Casey, Rona falls in love with the world and her place in it, an animal among other animals.

Although I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for my review, all opinions remain my own. Thank you NetGalley and ECW Press Audio for the opportunity to listen.

This book is about a reluctant dog owner's journey both to getting a dog and then figuring out that she was in fact a "dog person" and her life would never be the same without Casey. I loved seeing Rona's opinion of dogs slowly change through this book. I loved how Casey rubbed off on her and showed her how much the world had to offer. Casey, a rescue dog, rescued her and her husband from a boring retirement and showed them a new reality through his eyes. This was a quick listen and mostly uplifting. The best part, the book ends and the dog is still living! :D