A funny, profound book about the enduring wisdom of dogs, from the host of the enormously popular National Dog Show
Charming... read full description
Charming... read full description
reviews
Jan 24, 2012
Lisa
rated it: 
It could be that I'm simply judging books harder the more I read, but my average rating has been dropping lately. I hesitate to rate this book a 2, because in my mind that screams "don't read; waste of time!" Then again, it was simply "okay." So, 2.5. Now that I feel better....
I went into this thinking that I would read funny and charming tales about the author's dogs. Instead, I feel this is one of those book deals only offered to a famous person: an opportunity More...
I went into this thinking that I would read funny and charming tales about the author's dogs. Instead, I feel this is one of those book deals only offered to a famous person: an opportunity More...
Apr 16, 2009
Try to jump into your bed but miss the bed on purpose. It is so funny! We laughed so hard. I learned "Never miss a Nap" and "If you're happy and You know it wag your tail
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May 20, 2010
Lynn
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The author has served as host of the National Dog Show presented by Purina since 2002. In 2005 he became the ultimate champion of the show Dancing with the Stars. For years he stared as J. Peterman on Seinfeld and is the voice of the cartoon character "King Nepturne" in SpongeBob SquarePants. John O'Hurley also has played Billy Flynn in Chicago on Broadway. Presently he hosts the glame show Family Feud. Mr. O'Hurley owns 2 dogs: a Maltese "Scoshi" and a dachshund black l
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Sep 09, 2008
Linda
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I love dogs but this book was nothing to bark about.
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Jun 10, 2011
Cheryl
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Being a dog owner (or do they own me?) and dog lover, I was drawn to this book. That said, I was hesitant to read another book predicated on dogs and what they teach us, particularly when I learned that one of the author's dogs is fifteen years old, because it always seems that a dog dies before the last page and I'm completely depressed and teary-eyed throughout the reading. Happily, this book was a welcome change from that scenario! Both of the author's current dogs made it through the entire
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Nov 02, 2009
Kimberly
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Achievement is one of the most important elements of the human experience. Along with acts of love and compassion, it is one of the fundamentals that give our lives meaning. A life devoid of achievement is a life wasted. It is as simple and brutal as that.
What is fascinating about dogs is they innately seem to get this. Dogs focus on what they want and go for it. Self-assessment and goal-definition are often the biggest logjams to the flow of achievement. Many of us are unhappy in More...
What is fascinating about dogs is they innately seem to get this. Dogs focus on what they want and go for it. Self-assessment and goal-definition are often the biggest logjams to the flow of achievement. Many of us are unhappy in More...
Sep 30, 2009
Susan
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Divided into chapters about various lessons we can learn from our dogs, this is quick and uplifting read. The author and actor has learned lessons on napping, relaxing, confidence, living in the moment, and other insights that he has learned. Included at the beginning of each chapter is a cute picture of a dog. While not terribly profound, it is worth reading for those who would like something light and for dog-lovers everywhere.
Jan 21, 2011
Margo
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The book was slightly more interesting because I have seen the author on TV, specifically, as J Peterman on Seinfeld, and I sometimes watch the annual dog show that he hosts. I liked that the book was fairly short and had some funny tongue-in-cheek humor about dogs. It was a nice read to pass the time on the airplane.
Jun 03, 2010
Kristin
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A great book in which O'Hurley reminisces about the dogs in his life and the lessons they've taught him, simply by being dogs. The main themes in the book are that we as humans tend to take ourselves too seriously and stress out over insignificant things in life. Dogs live in the present and don't act as if what happened in the past matters, and other than short term goals that are more a part of routine than 'plans', dogs don't live in the future either. Dogs also don't spend too much time dwel
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Dec 12, 2009
Ruth
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Loved this little book! Fun, well written with heart showing all over it. If you have ever had a best friend who is your dog you will enjoy every word. Funny, entertaining and it just brightens your day (or night)!
Jul 15, 2010
Jenny
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Dogs teach us so much. Dogs teach us to not sweat the small stuff in life. It brought a smile to my heart and a few tears. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will re-read it again for pleasure.
Jan 29, 2010
BeyondThePopcorn
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This guy is my kind of dog owner! I love how he describes what he imagines the dogs are thinking. Some of it is hilarious, some of it is tear jerking, and it is all wonderful.
Feb 20, 2010
Joella
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I was expecting it to be funnier and was disappointed that it was not. I could relate to some of the "lessons" but could not to others. It was mostly a book about John's life, which was not interesting. It was kind of boring overall.
Jun 10, 2011
Gina
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The stories about life and the lessons he learned from his pups touched home and made me look at my little one and life in a whole new way!
Nov 24, 2009
Tami
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Cute little fun read. A couple spots made me laugh out loud. Plus it's easy to read it and "hear" his voice narrating the whole thing since he has such a distinctive voice.
Jun 03, 2010
Aldafan
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This is just a fun book by an entertainer about lessons learned from his dogs. It is laugh out loud at times and oh, so true.
Aug 31, 2009
Allanna
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Michael and I read this together ... and, wow. I'm not the biggest dog person (I like the IDEA of dogs: the fidelity, the unconditional love ... but I'm not great at the practical aspect of it. I mean, they drool, they smell, they don't use a litterbox (and the whole eating barf or poop? Or getting one's used feminine protection products out of the trash? Ew.)...
But reading this book makes me respect dogs more. And adore John O'Hurley even more, if such a thing is possible. He writes More...
But reading this book makes me respect dogs more. And adore John O'Hurley even more, if such a thing is possible. He writes More...
Jan 06, 2010
Michelle
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Michael and I went to a presentation John O'Hurley did on this book last year and it was great! He was so entertaining and it was awesome to be able to ask him all sorts of questions and hear his answers. It was really awesome and this book is fun. I think it would be even better to the book on cd as he's the narrator and the way he speaks is what really makes his humor so fun. So, if you just have the book you'll just have to imagine him talking as you read -- still pretty good!
Aug 17, 2011
Lessa
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This was such a delight! Audio book read by the author, it's funny and insightful, with observations any dog lover can relate to.
Feb 21, 2008
Vicki
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Cute, uplifting read about life through the eyes of a dog...told by a man. Well written, and from my view very true. Dogs are amazing animals full of unconditional love, happiness, and life, and they are not full of the stresses and drama that we have to deal with everyday. And we should all try to see the world through the eyes of a dog, at least once in a while.
Oct 26, 2008
Heidi
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I listened to this on CD. The only reason I picked it up was because John O'Hurley read it (I love his voice) and it was about dogs. But it wasn't a very good book. He took pretty mundane stories and tried to twist them into life lessons- not to say they weren't incredibly important, life altering events for him- but they just didn't translate very well in the book.
Jul 13, 2010
Cece
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Must read for dog lovers!!! I recently read another dog book, but did not enjoyed it because the author was way too endulging...but this author did not self endulge, but was able to talk about dogs and life lessons in a way that does not protray him as a "preacher", in other words, he did not come through as a know-it-all.
Must read.
Must read.
Apr 10, 2009
Beth
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Dogs not only bring us unconditional love, but they also teach us some life lessons if you let them. And thus the premise of John O'Hurley's book It's Okay to Miss the Bed on the First Jump. If only humans could be as surrendering and nonjudgmental as dogs, we'd be a happier, more accepting species.
Jun 20, 2009
Jennifer
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Never really have been a fan, but had been wanting to read the books ever since I saw them discussed on TV at their respective launches. Didn't really enjoy the writing style of this one, felt many of the stories were dreary and depressing, rather than humorous. Was glad when it was over.
