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A Life Worth Living
A short story for dog lovers, this touching memoir of a shelter dog shares his experiences in his own voice, taking readers from his days of abuse, to the shelter, to a home filled with love. Follow him on this extraordinary journey and fall in love with a new hero.
- GenresDogsAnimalsShort Stories
Nook
First published June 13, 2011
167 people are currently reading
788 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Probst
127 books10.3k followersJennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She holds a masters in English Literature and lives in the beautiful Hudson Valley in upstate New York. Her family keeps her active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean. Her passions include horse racing, Scrabble, rescue dogs, Italian food, and wine—not necessarily in that order.
She is the NYT, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, spent 26 weeks on the NY Times. Her work has been translated in over a dozen countries, sold over a million copies, and was dubbed a "romance phenom" by Kirkus Reviews. She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases at www.jenniferprobst.com. Sign up of her newsletter at www.jenniferprobst.com/newsletter for a free book.
She is the NYT, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, spent 26 weeks on the NY Times. Her work has been translated in over a dozen countries, sold over a million copies, and was dubbed a "romance phenom" by Kirkus Reviews. She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases at www.jenniferprobst.com. Sign up of her newsletter at www.jenniferprobst.com/newsletter for a free book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
August 6, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. I loved how the book started out as a really sad book and ended with a really loving ending. I love how it gave the dog in the book "emotions" that he simply wasn't an animal disconnected from those around him. I think that anyone who doesn't think that bad things happen to companion animals in this world is living with rose colored glasses on. Probst, due to the love of her companion animals, gave the dog in this story "a face." The reviewer who gave this one star either didn't finish the book and panned it or finished the book and was clueless as to what the story was about.
April 24, 2012
Slight reveals in this, but not enough to keep you from getting spoiled.
A Life Worth Living made me cry from paragraph one.
The words "...one day I found love. I realized I mattered to someone" and countless other tidbits in this short story, such as the description of his abuse, his friends, and everyone's eventual rescue, tore at my heartstrings and made me go snuggle with my own rescued dog.
A wonderful read, and though I did happen to get this ebook for free, I would have gladly paid the $0.99 to buy it!
Highly Recommended, especially if you just need a good "get it all out of your system" type of cry.
A Life Worth Living made me cry from paragraph one.
The words "...one day I found love. I realized I mattered to someone" and countless other tidbits in this short story, such as the description of his abuse, his friends, and everyone's eventual rescue, tore at my heartstrings and made me go snuggle with my own rescued dog.
A wonderful read, and though I did happen to get this ebook for free, I would have gladly paid the $0.99 to buy it!
Highly Recommended, especially if you just need a good "get it all out of your system" type of cry.
June 20, 2012
I was disappointed it was so short but I have to say it was worth reading!
September 13, 2012
Although I found it somewhat hard to read because it talked of animal abuse, I loved it. It told the story from the dog's perspective which was a nice change of pace. Unfortunately, it ended much too quickly.
February 25, 2012
Great quick read. Recommend all my dog lovers read this.
September 6, 2013
Cute little short story! Love Dogs!
June 30, 2014
This is a great short story about a dog's life. The beginning is very sad, but it turns to be an happy ending for the little dog in the story.
January 21, 2013
I cried. It was so sad. But I understood it completely.
June 24, 2019
A beautiful story in a quick read that only those who have loved a dog would appreciate.
In one half of an hour the reader gets to transcend through the life of one canine through his own thoughts and words. Experiencing pure evil to the tenderness of a woman who teaches him what love is. Love that guides him through life, and also respects his acknowledgement that his time on earth is over. I loved every minute, but the reassurance I received when the end of life decision was made was worth more than anything money could buy. For I have done exactly the same thing each time I have had to make that decision. The eyes are truly the window to the soul of every living creature. Thank you.
In one half of an hour the reader gets to transcend through the life of one canine through his own thoughts and words. Experiencing pure evil to the tenderness of a woman who teaches him what love is. Love that guides him through life, and also respects his acknowledgement that his time on earth is over. I loved every minute, but the reassurance I received when the end of life decision was made was worth more than anything money could buy. For I have done exactly the same thing each time I have had to make that decision. The eyes are truly the window to the soul of every living creature. Thank you.
December 15, 2023
Emotional But Still Beautiful
This book really got to me. I have had companion animals all my life. Not just dogs and cats but chickens, rabbits and many more species. I love all animals and really loved Lester and reading about his life. Even the inevitable.
I share my life with the remains of my last three dogs ( Kitten, Max and Cappy) and one live wired hair terrier named Penny. She just turned5 Dec 1st and she has lived with us since Aug 2022, 10 months after I lost my last dog, Cappy. It's hard to lose them but the rewards of sharing your life with them is so worth it.
I highly recommend this book. I need to get the book about Rockin Robert next.
This book really got to me. I have had companion animals all my life. Not just dogs and cats but chickens, rabbits and many more species. I love all animals and really loved Lester and reading about his life. Even the inevitable.
I share my life with the remains of my last three dogs ( Kitten, Max and Cappy) and one live wired hair terrier named Penny. She just turned5 Dec 1st and she has lived with us since Aug 2022, 10 months after I lost my last dog, Cappy. It's hard to lose them but the rewards of sharing your life with them is so worth it.
I highly recommend this book. I need to get the book about Rockin Robert next.
July 30, 2017
While this story is short it is able to pack a punch and hit you with a lot of emotions. I knew it was about an abused shelter dog, so I expected it to be emotional, but I didn't expect that I would crying, considering this was a 12 page short story. Typically books don't affect me this way... It just shows how well written this story is that it could impact me so heavily having such a short page length. All I can say is, wow!
April 13, 2018
I absolutely adore Jennifer Probst and this book was just the sweetest!! I actually read this aloud to the little boys that I nanny (5 & 8) and it was perfect timing because one of their dogs that they’ve had their whole lives, passed away a couple weeks after and they still remembered the “Rainbow Bridge” from this book! Of course I cried, but anything having to do with dogs (or any animal really) dying makes me sad! A Life Worth Living was, without a doubt, worth reading!
May 27, 2019
It mad me think of my dog little Lou
We have a dog she was a hurricane puppy, she live on the streets, then found, and we got her from my cousin. This story has help me understand her, and she was also afraid
Of doors. Now she comes in when she’s ready. She cuddles with me, and shows that she loves me, and I love her very much. Her name is Ellie May. And she knows she belongs here.
We have a dog she was a hurricane puppy, she live on the streets, then found, and we got her from my cousin. This story has help me understand her, and she was also afraid
Of doors. Now she comes in when she’s ready. She cuddles with me, and shows that she loves me, and I love her very much. Her name is Ellie May. And she knows she belongs here.
February 25, 2020
Realisation for All!!!
While this is a very short story it has such a range of emotions that it's reality is a reality for So Many Animals.l say that because l worked at an Animal Welfare League and things would get crazy on a regular basis.
If you want any kind of animal PLEASE adopt NOT FROM A PET STORE OR A PUPPY OR KITTEN MILL but from the RSPCA OR ANIMAL WELFARE LEAGUE. The pups will love you Forever!!!
While this is a very short story it has such a range of emotions that it's reality is a reality for So Many Animals.l say that because l worked at an Animal Welfare League and things would get crazy on a regular basis.
If you want any kind of animal PLEASE adopt NOT FROM A PET STORE OR A PUPPY OR KITTEN MILL but from the RSPCA OR ANIMAL WELFARE LEAGUE. The pups will love you Forever!!!
March 2, 2019
Love is the healer
A powerful book in it's writing, story line, characters. It has the ability to pull several different emotions from the reader who may not even be aware that he/ she has them.
As a person who has rescues I know, this story speaks the truth of many dogs lives. May many more find their well deserved love.
A powerful book in it's writing, story line, characters. It has the ability to pull several different emotions from the reader who may not even be aware that he/ she has them.
As a person who has rescues I know, this story speaks the truth of many dogs lives. May many more find their well deserved love.
April 16, 2019
Simple and heartwarming
Having read previous reviews, I expected it to be more difficult to accept the inevitable which is always the painful, as everyone who has ever loved and lost a beloved companion. But, it's a sweet, charming, easy read that is suitable for children as well as adults.
Having read previous reviews, I expected it to be more difficult to accept the inevitable which is always the painful, as everyone who has ever loved and lost a beloved companion. But, it's a sweet, charming, easy read that is suitable for children as well as adults.
May 27, 2019
“A dog’s life is quite simple. Eat,sleep, take a walk. Watch tv, nap and eat again. Trail your owners whenever possible just to soak up the joy of their sheer presence. Catch a ball now and then or go for a run. Beg for table straps. Then go back to sleep “
This story is narrated by a dog, it’s a sweet story that takes about half an hour to read.
This story is narrated by a dog, it’s a sweet story that takes about half an hour to read.
April 12, 2020
Grabs your heart
Wonderful short story. From birth, neglect & abuse, to rescue, adoption and a home of happiness filed with love. Even though it's a short the author moves superbly through each stage without feeling like it was rushed. The end was so emotional that I was actually in tears. Well done, very well done.
Wonderful short story. From birth, neglect & abuse, to rescue, adoption and a home of happiness filed with love. Even though it's a short the author moves superbly through each stage without feeling like it was rushed. The end was so emotional that I was actually in tears. Well done, very well done.
July 13, 2017
Gives a voice to our beloved rescue dogs
My husband have fostered 17 rescue dogs and counting. This short story provides a narrative that fits many of the dogs we have cared for and is easy to connect to.
My husband have fostered 17 rescue dogs and counting. This short story provides a narrative that fits many of the dogs we have cared for and is easy to connect to.
April 3, 2018
Amazing! So sweet!! Cried as I read it! Now I just want to go and hug my dogs!
Every dog lover should read this book! Quick easy read. I can't wait to read another story from this author.
Every dog lover should read this book! Quick easy read. I can't wait to read another story from this author.
May 22, 2019
Very touching short story!���I would recommend this book for the love and how wonderful
living with a furry animals can be. Thank you, Jennifer Probst. You tell a beautiful story of love, proper care about animals that were abused, then the healing!💜
living with a furry animals can be. Thank you, Jennifer Probst. You tell a beautiful story of love, proper care about animals that were abused, then the healing!💜
May 27, 2019
Thought provoking
I cried while reading this. While it anthropomorphizes dogs, I think it does so to show the point that dogs just want the love of humans. I recommend this story to everyone
I cried while reading this. While it anthropomorphizes dogs, I think it does so to show the point that dogs just want the love of humans. I recommend this story to everyone
March 19, 2020
Cute story
For those of us that have had the love and loyalty of a dog, this is a good book. Makes you wonder how anyone could be so filled with hate as you abuse dogs. Nice ending.
For those of us that have had the love and loyalty of a dog, this is a good book. Makes you wonder how anyone could be so filled with hate as you abuse dogs. Nice ending.
March 5, 2021
Short and Sweet
Good very short read. Having volunteered at a small public animal shelter and at a breed rescue I have seen the fear of the unknown and the joy of adoption and his little story sums it all up.
Good very short read. Having volunteered at a small public animal shelter and at a breed rescue I have seen the fear of the unknown and the joy of adoption and his little story sums it all up.
April 19, 2024
A great short story about a dog's life. I loved the fact that it was written from the dog's point of view. A perfect book for dog lovers. This is the only book that made me cry a river while reading it. It absolutely breaks my heart.
August 6, 2017
Really good read.
Very short but also very touching. I had tears in my eyes. Still loved it though. I hate that some people are so cruel.
Very short but also very touching. I had tears in my eyes. Still loved it though. I hate that some people are so cruel.
November 27, 2017
Very good read. Have your tissues ready!
Made me think of my old dog. Helps to think they know what is happening and are gratful for their humans.
Made me think of my old dog. Helps to think they know what is happening and are gratful for their humans.
January 19, 2018
Warms your heart.
Sad about the abuse but so glad when he finds happiness. As I said, warms your heart. Quick read. Enjoy.
Sad about the abuse but so glad when he finds happiness. As I said, warms your heart. Quick read. Enjoy.
April 9, 2018
Just perfect for a short story
I love the way the author really gets into the dog's mind. I feel the same way every time I adopt a rescued dog or cat.
I love the way the author really gets into the dog's mind. I feel the same way every time I adopt a rescued dog or cat.
November 13, 2018
A Simple Story
A little too basic- like I could have written it. Nothing really wrong- just not an absorbing or new read.
A little too basic- like I could have written it. Nothing really wrong- just not an absorbing or new read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews