There's a Hamster in the Dashboard: A Life in Pets

by David W. Berner

A book of essays by award-winning author and journalist David W. Berner is the next best thing to storytelling around a bonfire. In There's a Hamster in the Dashboard, Berner shares stories of "a life in pets" - from a collie that herds Berner home when the author goes "streaking" through the neighborhood as a two-year-old, to a father crying in front of his son for the only time in his life while burying the family dog on the Fourth of July. And from the ant farm that seems like a great learning experience (until the ants learn how to escape), to the hamster that sets out on its own road trip (but only gets as far as the dashboard). Along the way, Berner shows that pets not only connect us with the animal world, but also with each other and with ourselves. The result is a collection of essays that is insightful and humorous, entertaining and touching.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Memoir

Audible Audio

First published April 23, 2015

About the author

David W. Berner is an award-winning journalist, broadcaster, author, and teacher. As a writer, he has been the recipient of awards from the prestigious Society of Midland Authors and the Chicago Writers Association. David has more than forty years experience in broadcast journalism as a reporter, anchor, news director, and program director. He regularly contributes to the CBS Radio Network and has contributed to public radio stations around the country, including NPR’s Weekend edition.

David has also performed live literature readings at 2nd Story, Essay Fiesta, Waterline Writers, and Sunday Salon. And regularly conducts workshops on writing and memoir.

Reviews

[Kenya Starflight · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for animal stories, and so this book, a collection of essays about the author's experiences with family pets and various other animals, seemed right up my alley. And judging by the cute title, I was expecting a funny read. Unfortunately, the title is a bit misleading -- while there are amusing stories in this book, it's not expressly a humor book. And while it has touching and cute moments, the writing is rather bland, and quite a few of the stories are more boring than funny or heartwarming.

Don't get me wrong -- there are some laugh-out-loud stories in this collection, such as the spastic behaviors of a cat with the unlikely name of Mouse, a recounting of the author as a young streaker being herded home by the family collie, and the title story of a hamster turning up in the car's dashboard compartment. And there are some genuinely touching and emotional stories as well, especially dealing with the loss of both pets and human family members. But many of the stories are, quite frankly, uninteresting, and it's hard to get invested in them. Authors like James Herriott and Andrew Peacock manage to tell animal stories and make them interesting and quirky, but Berner doesn't quite manage that.

Also, animal lovers be warned -- there are some instances of animal cruelty and neglect in this book that can be cringeworthy to read. And yes, at least one of them is on the part of the author himself. It's not malicious and more a case of "I don't know how to take care of this animal and I'm just going to guess instead of looking it up," but it's still painful to read and even inexcusable on the part of the author. If you don't know how to take care of a particular animal, LEARN HOW.

While mostly cute and harmless, "There's a Hamster in My Dashboard" is a rather bland read, and while I can appreciate the author's love for animals, he just doesn't have many interesting stories to tell, nor the right sort of voice or writing style to tell these stories with much charm. You're better off with one of James Herriott's stories of his veterinary practice, or just enjoying the company of your own furry/scaly/feathery friends.

[Gina Hott]

​Pets are a learning experience. They bring pleasure, hurt, fear, and laughter. In David Berner’s book, There’s a Hamster in the Dashboard, he shares all of the wonderful growing experiences he’s accumulated through the animals in his life.
I have to admit that while I enjoyed every story in There’s a Hamster in the Dashboard I didn’t get the point of each sorry.

More…
Author: David W. Berner
Source: WOW! Women On Writing sent me a copy but it was paperback so I just grabbed it from Kindle Unlimited

[Nora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book, ode to our animal friends and how good they make us feel. Light read.

[Foggygirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

An entertaining and emotional read about how our pets enrich our lives and make us better people. There were a few moments that I cringed, most notably when the author put a turtle in his golf bag on then continued to play golf.

[Cathryn Wellner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our animal relatives fascinate me. I was prepared to enjoy Berner's "Life in Pets" but had no high expectations. As it turned out, the book won my heart on two counts. The writing was good, the stories a delight. Without sugar coating the mistakes he's made with animals over the year, Berner chooses stories that show his love and appreciation for the creatures he has brought into his homes over the years. They also convey some of the many lessons observant people learn when they live in close proximity to non-human creatures.

The book is a series of stand-alone essays. So if you enjoy a book you can read in small chunks, put this on your reading list. It's a delightful ride through a life with pets.

[Lenita Sheridan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wit and Wisdom

The essays in this book are more whimsical than funny. In them the author shares part of his own life along with some philosophical passages on pets and life in general. He ends the collection with an essay on how pets really can love people. I am amazed at his writing and how he can come up with such philosophical thoughts.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short stories from the author's life with theme centered around pets, though many had other underlying messages. I enjoyed most of the stories. They were best read one or two at a time for me or I seemed to become jaded to the author's message. Many seemed to abruptly end for me which is why I gave it only 3 stars.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love animals, you will enjoy this book. David writes about animals who have influenced his life, from the collie who herded him home down the road where he had gone streaking, to the hamster who goes travelling and ends up in the car's dashboard. Funny, poignant and endearing, definitely a good read.

[Gina Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of stories from the author's life. This shows us how there are things we can learn from animals and how we can apply these to our lives. I appreciated this book as an animal lover myself!
* I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jill Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sweet book is a collection of short stories about the author's family pets. The stories are written with deep feeling, but manage to avoid being sappy. I loved the book, and read it all in one sitting.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little sadness, a little humor, a little wisdom. Great book.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A series of short stories that any pet owner can relate to. I really enjoyed the quick read.

I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.