I'm Not Single, I Have a Dog: Dating Tales from the Bark Side

by Susan Hartzler, Brian Patrick Duggan (Editor)

At age 60, Susan Hartzler has learned to accept, even love, the single life, provided she has good friends and a dog or two by her side. Always attracted to the quintessential bad boy with his good looks and charming ways, she was sure she could change "the one" into a devoted partner and loving father, but her compulsive giving and fixing behaviors went hand in hand with her disappointing and disastrous romantic relationships. On a purposeful trip to the pound, she hoped to find a dog to care for, one that would sniff out the bad guys, give her a sense of purpose, and help her find meaning in her crazy world. Thoughtful and funny, this memoir follows Susan's life through the many ups and downs on her way to finding unconditional love. Her journey is a personal one, full of the hard decisions it took to learn to put herself first and stop entering and staying in unhealthy relationships. By saving a dog, she rescues herself, learning to love herself as much as her dog loves her.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor

231 pages, Paperback

Published March 19, 2021

About the author

Susan Hartzler is a lifelong dog lover and award-winning writer who has found a way to live her life to the fullest as a single woman, defying the social norms of marriage and children.

She is the author of I’m Not Single, I Have a Dog: Dating Tales from the Bark Side and The Peace Puppy: A Memoir of Caregiving and Canine Solace, with her upcoming book Teaming Up With Therapy Dogs: Skills to Build Healing Partnerships scheduled for release soon.

Alongside her Australian Shepherds, Seven and Paige Turner, Susan is part of a certified therapy dog team and shares insights on how dogs help regulate, comfort, and connect us in everyday life on Substack, where you can find Sit With Me, a series of dog-centered meditations designed to help people slow down, breathe, and tap into their dog’s natural calming presence. She is also the creator of Paws on the Go, a blog for dog lovers featuring places to go, things to do, and must-have items to buy.

Winner of the Angel on a Leash Award from the Dog Writers’ Association of America and the Pawlitzer Prize from America’s most dog-friendly city, Carmel, CA, Susan has created a life filled with joy that revolves around her dogs.

Her current pack consists of two talented Australian Shepherds, Seven and Paige Turner, who Susan has trained to act in commercials and bring their special kind of love to children in the hospital as therapy dogs.

Reviews

[Bonnie Schroeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any dog lover would enjoy much of this memoir, which details the author's loving relationships with a series of dogs. The portions dealing with humans are less engaging, but it's an interesting story for sure.

[Jessica Brickey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book caught my eye with a great title; I'd never read any book by Susan Hartzler before. I'm not sure if my expectations were too high or specific, but I did not like this book. I stuck it out bc I had spent money on it and just hoped it would get better and a little more flowery. The writing style is fairly streamlined and minimal; I tend to like some five dollar word description, and that just isn't Hartzler's style. Her love life is pretty much a washing machine cycle, rinse and repeat. I was so frustrated with her and how she didn't seem to learn much about herself or love until her early forties. In hindsight, my advice to myself and any reader is to not put expectations on a true life story; you just have to accept it for what it is. Lastly, the older I've gotten, I've learned that I can read books with different vantage points and philosophies from my own; this one just went too far. The Christianity professed by the author and the character Jack is not Christianity based solely on the authority and validity of the Bible, and I'm pray that anyone reading this book isn't lead into thinking that theirs are examples of Christian lives as compared to how different people featured in Scripture lived.

[Yvette Kulik · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I'm Not Single, I Have a Dog: Dating Tales from the Bark Side" by Susan Hartzler is a delightful and relatable book that captures the joys, challenges, and unexpected adventures of dating when you have a furry companion by your side.
Hartzler's writing style is engaging and authentic, making it easy for readers to connect with her stories. Through a series of witty and heartfelt anecdotes, she shares her own personal experiences navigating the dating scene while being a proud dog owner. Each chapter is filled with humor, vulnerability, and genuine emotions, creating a genuine connection with readers who have experienced similar situations. Moreover, the inclusion of adorable dog-related tales adds an extra layer of charm to the book.
"I'm Not Single, I Have a Dog" is not just for dog lovers or those currently navigating the dating scene. It's a book that resonates with anyone who has ever cherished the love and companionship of a pet or embarked on a journey to find a meaningful connection. I would definitely recommend.