Xine's Pack of Strays & Others: A Memoir

by Xine Segalas

Life isn't easy, but there are two essential things that Xine Segalas uses to help her navigate daily. First, writing every morning in a journal to download her thoughts, a habit she started as a teenager and continues to practice to this day. Second, but always first in priority, are her dogs, her "pack", Xine's pack. The dogs that help her get through the daily crap, even when they are adding to it.

Everyone knows one of these dogs. If you don't have one of them yourself, your friend or neighbor does, or you see them on the street. They are Shetland Sheepdogs, Brittanys, Goldendoodles, Aussie Shepherds, and mixed breeds. They're the dogs that make you laugh and make you cry, sometimes simultaneously. The ones you rescued only to realize they saved you. They are the dogs that left us too soon and the ones that needed our help to make the tough decisions. Their imprints are all over our hearts, and the lessons they teach are immeasurable. "Strays and Others" is a collection of those stories - the adventures, the misadventures, and everything in-between - and the lessons Xine and her family learned about life from their furry and feathery friends.

Genres: Memoir

286 pages, Paperback

Published August 31, 2022

About the author

Hi, I’m Xine Segalas—reader, card designer, and author of Xine’s Pack of Strays & Others.

I’ve reviewed 500+ books (and counting!) here on Goodreads, and I tend to fall for the ones that linger—the stories that stay with you, start conversations, or quietly break your heart.
Most days, you’ll find me listening to audiobooks while I design, and ending the night with a few quiet pages before bed. Even when I’m not posting as often, I’m always reading, always thinking, and always creating in the background.

“How I Rate Books”
I love reading across genres and always try to balance how a book made me feel with how well it was written. My star ratings reflect both enjoyment and craftsmanship — the kind of stories that stay with me versus the ones that just didn’t click.
⭐ 1 Star — Not for Me
These are books that just didn’t work on almost any level.
Predictable or overly cliché
Writing that felt clunky or hard to get through
Flat or unconvincing characters
Plot or themes handled superficially
Overall, not an enjoyable experience
➡️ I wouldn’t recommend this one.
⭐⭐ 2 Stars — Disappointing
These are “almost, but not quite” books. There was something there — an idea, a spark — but it never came together.
The premise sounded interesting, but the execution fell short
Writing style lacked polish or consistency
Characters felt underdeveloped
I wasn’t fully engaged or emotionally invested
➡️ I probably wouldn’t recommend or reread.
⭐⭐⭐ 3 Stars — Pretty Good
A solid read with some strong points but also a few frustrations.
Good concept, decent writing, but not especially memorable
Characters and themes could’ve gone deeper
Some pacing issues or uneven storytelling
Enjoyable in the moment, but didn’t linger
➡️ I’d recommend with caveats — fans of the genre might still love it.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars — Really Good!
I had a great time with these. They pulled me in, kept me interested, and gave me something to think about.
Strong writing and flow
Believable, interesting characters
Thoughtful or emotionally resonant themes
Maybe a few small flaws, but nothing that broke the spell
➡️ I’d absolutely recommend and might reread someday.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars — Absolutely Loved It
These are the books that make me stay up too late, that linger in my thoughts, that I immediately want to talk about.
Beautiful or distinctive writing
Characters that feel real, complex, unforgettable
Deep emotional or intellectual impact — made me laugh, cry, or reflect
A plot or world that feels original and fully realized
A satisfying ending that leaves me wanting more (in the best way)
➡️ I’ll recommend it to everyone and probably reread it, too.
📚 In my reviews, I usually talk about the writing, characters, pacing, themes, and overall impact — but mostly, how the story made me feel. I love celebrating books that move me and being honest about the ones that don’t quite land.

Reviews

[Daphsam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Xine Segalas takes us on a journey through her life, describing how each dog she's met has been by her side through the ups and downs of life. She describes how the dogs' affection provided her courage and compassion via hilarious anecdotes, emotional recollections, and how each dog left impressions of their paws on her and her family members' hearts. This is a book for dog owners who see their dogs as more than simply a pet; they are family members who will be there for you through thick and thin.

[Mark Gaulke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Xine shares stories of her life, inextricably intertwined with her pack of canine kids. Funny, sad and often poignant, Xine writes with a unique “voice” that is thoroughly engaging. Everyone with a doggie friend will something to relate to here. If this book doesn’t make you laugh and cry, you better check yourself!

[Xine Segalas]

I don't think it would be appropriate to rate my book. Tempting, though. However, I did put it on my five-star shelf. How could I not? I am tremendously proud of this book, as it was a long time in the making, and I had so much fun writing it. I hope readers will enjoy the adventures and misadventures I experienced raising Xine's Pack. I hope it makes you smile and laugh, even if you might need some tissues along the way. I think you will enjoy this book if you love stories about animals and family.