What do you think?
Rate this book
My Best Friends Have Hairy Legs
"My Best Friends have Hairy Legs" is my story of overcoming abusive relationships with my dog, Trooper. It is a story about his growth from a fearful puppy into a confident adult dog - and mine - from a psychologically abused wife into a confident woman who can look back at my past with laughter and no regrets.I don't believe my story is unique. Our stories might differ, the details change, but the emotions and feelings are the same.I wanted to tell our story because we have survived. I wanted to tell it to give hope to others who are struggling to find their way. There is a light out there. There aren't any bras burnt at the end of this book - or dog collars - but the metaphor is the same. We are happy with who we are.
148 pages, Paperback
First published November 19, 2008
1 person is currently reading
153 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 12, 2011
I'm normally a fan of "dog books" and loved Dr Patricia McConnell's two novels: The Other End of the Leash and For the Love of a Dog: Understanding Emotion in You and Your Best Friend. After reading the synopsis of this book, I downloaded it as a free ebook from B&N. It started off promising but about halfway through the terribly short book I realized not only did I not feel sorry for or identify with the narrator, as she intended, but was instead annoyed!
The book was summarized as being about a how a woman's dog helped her through an abusive relationship and a troubled past, but I found very little of that in the actual story. I was near calling it quits when the author started acting like a snarky teenage girl, and finally did so when she started discussing pet-psychics. Had the story or the writing been good, I probably would have finished the book, but combine the absence of these two major factors with a genuine dislike for the main character/author, and the <100 page book was too much.
I have no intention of ever finishing it and hope someone else picks up this theme so it can be finally done justice.
The book was summarized as being about a how a woman's dog helped her through an abusive relationship and a troubled past, but I found very little of that in the actual story. I was near calling it quits when the author started acting like a snarky teenage girl, and finally did so when she started discussing pet-psychics. Had the story or the writing been good, I probably would have finished the book, but combine the absence of these two major factors with a genuine dislike for the main character/author, and the <100 page book was too much.
I have no intention of ever finishing it and hope someone else picks up this theme so it can be finally done justice.
November 19, 2010
Horrible book, I'm glad it was free on kindle when I aquired it. She professes to be an animal lover and yet in her early adult years doesn't seem to treat them very well (like going on holidays and the dog drinks the toilets dry and goes through the grbage becuase he's so hungry, and she thinks this is cute?).
Don't even bother.
Don't even bother.
October 22, 2011
What did I think--not much! Again, poorly edited. Jumped around, drove me nuts. One of the 1st things I downloaded to my Nook. wish I hadn't bothered.
December 25, 2018
Interesting but sad in the situations the author let herself into.
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
June 14, 2011
Story about author's relationships with people and with pets, some abusive, and her struggle through them. Very good.
Favorite Quotes:
"I've been asked if I would change anyting in my life--if I had a 'do-over'--would there be people or events that I would avoid like the plague. Would I have made different choices? Wiser decisions? That is always a tough one to answer. Would I like to have avoided a painful phase in my life? All the hurt and tears that came with a bad relationship? Sure, who wouldn't? But honestly, it is all those things that have made me who I am today, and I actually like myself today. If any of those things hadn't happened...I'm not sure I would be this person today. I certainly wouldn't trade all the pain and hurt from that relationship if it meant that I wouldn't have (pet) Trooper. He is, by far, the best dog I have ever had. And sorry, girl friends, but he is, by far, the best friend I have ever had." p 20-21
"Silence was his favorite way to 'punish' me for anything, whether it was something I had done or not done, said or not said, or completely unrelated to me. Under normal circumstances I might have said his silence is golden, but it was always cold and terrifying. I often never knew waht triggered his silence and asking him waht was wrong only made it worse and last longer. In anger he would tell me to leave him alone and let him work through it himself. When the next time he stopped talking to me and I gave him his space, he would get angry because I had left him alone. I was damned if I did, and damned if I didn't. p 69
"I had lost my independence and my individuality as well. I wasn't allowed to have an opinion unless it was his opinion. I wasn't allowed to listen to my choice of music, or watch TV shows I wanted. I couldn't have friends unless they were his friends. If he had a hobby or interest that he was passionate about, I was expected to be just as passionate about it as he was, and could not have any hobby or interests that did not include him or that he wasn't equally passionate about. " p 63
"My previous marriage had been controlling, manipulative, verbally and emotionally abusive. For almost ten years I had lived in fear of him---fear which manifested in physical illnesses---illnesses that had miraculously disappeared within three months of leaving him. Fear. What a powerful emotion that is. We will rearrange our lives just to avoid something we are afraid of. We will suffer humiliation, pain, loss, and do things we thought we never would because of fear. We will put ourselves last just to keep that fear at bay." p 105
"Life's lesson are almost always hard ones. You never really know if you pass the test until you find yourself facing the same situation or lesson again. ... I hope that I've learned enough from my companion animals---and my life lessons---that I will be able to make different choices in the future. I almost wrote 'better' choices, but as I said in the beginning of the book, sometimes you can't regret the choices you made because they almost always bring you right to where you re supposed to be---whether to learn a lesson again, or to try something different. 'No matter where you go---there you are.' " p 157-8
"I have also learned that happiness comes from inside--not outside. People can be happy together, but not make each other happy. Sometimes they don't realize how happy they are because they are so 'blinded by the forest' of possessions and material things, and think that their happiness comes from outside. I am happy now because I like who I am." p 163-4
"Forgiveness. That has been a huge lesson to learn. Believe it or not, it has been Trooper that has helped the most in learning about forgiveness. ...I had conversations with friends not too long ago about forgiveness and love. Both of them are in marriages that are ending. ...there is one common thread in what caused the disintegration of their marriages. An inability to forgive past hurts has driven a wedge in their relationships that forced them apart. That to me just seems sad because I know that for one in the relationship that was unable to forgive; until they learn to forgive---unconditionally--they will be forced to repeat this 'lesson' again and again in all their future relationships. I see love and forgiveness as being intricately entwined together, and in a relationship, I don't think you can't have one without the other. " p 164-5
"Forgiveness. It heals. It lightens your burdens, and casts off that baggage that keeps you from growing and feeling joy. Baggage that is better left at the curb. " p 176
"I realized that life was too short to spend it praying for death all the time and that I really didn't want to be in such a hurry to get to the end of my story." p 178
"I will not allow myself to be less than I am to meet anyone's expectations." No, never again. " p 182
Favorite Quotes:
"I've been asked if I would change anyting in my life--if I had a 'do-over'--would there be people or events that I would avoid like the plague. Would I have made different choices? Wiser decisions? That is always a tough one to answer. Would I like to have avoided a painful phase in my life? All the hurt and tears that came with a bad relationship? Sure, who wouldn't? But honestly, it is all those things that have made me who I am today, and I actually like myself today. If any of those things hadn't happened...I'm not sure I would be this person today. I certainly wouldn't trade all the pain and hurt from that relationship if it meant that I wouldn't have (pet) Trooper. He is, by far, the best dog I have ever had. And sorry, girl friends, but he is, by far, the best friend I have ever had." p 20-21
"Silence was his favorite way to 'punish' me for anything, whether it was something I had done or not done, said or not said, or completely unrelated to me. Under normal circumstances I might have said his silence is golden, but it was always cold and terrifying. I often never knew waht triggered his silence and asking him waht was wrong only made it worse and last longer. In anger he would tell me to leave him alone and let him work through it himself. When the next time he stopped talking to me and I gave him his space, he would get angry because I had left him alone. I was damned if I did, and damned if I didn't. p 69
"I had lost my independence and my individuality as well. I wasn't allowed to have an opinion unless it was his opinion. I wasn't allowed to listen to my choice of music, or watch TV shows I wanted. I couldn't have friends unless they were his friends. If he had a hobby or interest that he was passionate about, I was expected to be just as passionate about it as he was, and could not have any hobby or interests that did not include him or that he wasn't equally passionate about. " p 63
"My previous marriage had been controlling, manipulative, verbally and emotionally abusive. For almost ten years I had lived in fear of him---fear which manifested in physical illnesses---illnesses that had miraculously disappeared within three months of leaving him. Fear. What a powerful emotion that is. We will rearrange our lives just to avoid something we are afraid of. We will suffer humiliation, pain, loss, and do things we thought we never would because of fear. We will put ourselves last just to keep that fear at bay." p 105
"Life's lesson are almost always hard ones. You never really know if you pass the test until you find yourself facing the same situation or lesson again. ... I hope that I've learned enough from my companion animals---and my life lessons---that I will be able to make different choices in the future. I almost wrote 'better' choices, but as I said in the beginning of the book, sometimes you can't regret the choices you made because they almost always bring you right to where you re supposed to be---whether to learn a lesson again, or to try something different. 'No matter where you go---there you are.' " p 157-8
"I have also learned that happiness comes from inside--not outside. People can be happy together, but not make each other happy. Sometimes they don't realize how happy they are because they are so 'blinded by the forest' of possessions and material things, and think that their happiness comes from outside. I am happy now because I like who I am." p 163-4
"Forgiveness. That has been a huge lesson to learn. Believe it or not, it has been Trooper that has helped the most in learning about forgiveness. ...I had conversations with friends not too long ago about forgiveness and love. Both of them are in marriages that are ending. ...there is one common thread in what caused the disintegration of their marriages. An inability to forgive past hurts has driven a wedge in their relationships that forced them apart. That to me just seems sad because I know that for one in the relationship that was unable to forgive; until they learn to forgive---unconditionally--they will be forced to repeat this 'lesson' again and again in all their future relationships. I see love and forgiveness as being intricately entwined together, and in a relationship, I don't think you can't have one without the other. " p 164-5
"Forgiveness. It heals. It lightens your burdens, and casts off that baggage that keeps you from growing and feeling joy. Baggage that is better left at the curb. " p 176
"I realized that life was too short to spend it praying for death all the time and that I really didn't want to be in such a hurry to get to the end of my story." p 178
"I will not allow myself to be less than I am to meet anyone's expectations." No, never again. " p 182
June 1, 2019
Enjoyed the book. I would never, however, give up my animal because I was given an ultimatum. That person forcing me to do that would go instead. I have been in this position and it did not end well for the person.
November 27, 2011
I had high expectations for this book. Perhaps too high. And I'm not exactly sure why they weren't met. I didn't find the main character (author) all that likeable, for some reason I can't explain. I think I wanted *more* from the perspective of the dog .. or maybe just more about the dog. I don't mean it needed to be told from the dog's point of view, like The Art of Racing in the Rain, I think I just thought it was waaaay to much about the author's life, relationships, experiences and just a touch of how her dog impacted them. I kind of feel like she used the premise of a book about a dog to actually just write her own memoir, which wasn't really very interesting. I feel kind of duped, in that sense.
All in all it was an easy quick read, and what there was about this wonderful animal was very enjoyable. If we could give half-stars I'd probably give this a 2.5.
All in all it was an easy quick read, and what there was about this wonderful animal was very enjoyable. If we could give half-stars I'd probably give this a 2.5.
December 11, 2014
Red full review here: http://thereandtheir.wordpress.com/20...
I had very high expectations from this book, simply because my best friend does indeed have hairy legs!
But, this book did not raise up to the expectations.
It was like reading Marley and Me, but knowing everything about John’s frustrations, John’s work, John’s expectations…with a brief mention of Marley a few times.
The author has written it from her point of view, and all the abusive relationships she went through, but, there is a fine line between writing your experiences and throwing a pity party, and frankly the book had more of a “pity me” vibe.
I had very high expectations from this book, simply because my best friend does indeed have hairy legs!
But, this book did not raise up to the expectations.
It was like reading Marley and Me, but knowing everything about John’s frustrations, John’s work, John’s expectations…with a brief mention of Marley a few times.
The author has written it from her point of view, and all the abusive relationships she went through, but, there is a fine line between writing your experiences and throwing a pity party, and frankly the book had more of a “pity me” vibe.
March 23, 2011
I thought this book had some sweet stories about pets (mostly dogs and cats) and how they can be more than friends. The author lost me a little when she called and believed a pet physic (twice) even though the physic's conclusions were rather obvious. Most of this book is about the author's relationships with her dogs rather than overcoming abusive relationships with humans (though that was also included). I liked reading about the animals and overall, it was a pretty short book, so I though it was okay.
February 11, 2016
The author has written it from her point of view, and all the abusive relationships she went through, but, there is a fine line between writing your experiences and throwing a pity party, and frankly the book had more of a “pity me” vibe.
While I did like Trooper from what little I knew of him, I could not connect to any of the characters as each had so little time, I found myself skipping chapters upon chapters and reading only the parts where trooper was mentioned…
Do I recommed it? Not really…if you want to read about pets…read, Marley and Me again Instead.
While I did like Trooper from what little I knew of him, I could not connect to any of the characters as each had so little time, I found myself skipping chapters upon chapters and reading only the parts where trooper was mentioned…
Do I recommed it? Not really…if you want to read about pets…read, Marley and Me again Instead.
January 25, 2011
This is a quick read that will leave you teary eyed at times. It's really a story about self realization and how cool dogs and cats can be. :) Unfortunately, you see things coming long before the author had actually figured them out in her own life. Which, granted is much easier to say when you're not the person involved. It's short and kind of endearing. Worth reading in between larger books, sort of a book nosh.
January 28, 2017
This is a relatively short memoir. It doesn't always seem to follow a clear chronological order. It has more or less the feel of listening to someone tell their story in a group counseling session. It's definitely not the worst thing I've ever read, but it isn't particularly great. I was expecting something along the lines of Marley and Me but the story is mostly about the human. The animals, and her love for them, is a secondary plot line.
September 4, 2012
It was a cute and sweet quick read. It didn't go in depth into the author's life, more focused on the animals in her life, which was interesting. I did get very pissed off with the author when she left her animals due to a jerk of a man, but she seems to have finally gotten her head on straight. I wish the author and her little family well.
December 24, 2015
I'm not sure how to review this...I found the title misleading. This is a book about the author's life trials & growth & somewhat about her animals. I expected the opposite. The advice given is good, uplifting even. I am just surprised to have been taken in by the title, I will be more careful in the future.
October 20, 2010
I normally stay far away from anything remotely religious, but this book did not preach until the last page. I enjoyed the book enough to overlook that last page. If you are a pet owner you will enjoy this sweet autobiograghy.
July 14, 2010
Read this in 2 hrs. Downloaded it free on B&N eReader app on my computer. Definitely cried a few times.
July 21, 2010
This is a very heart warming story how pets can help with dealing painful relationsips. It is funny and very sad but very well written. A very good read
January 23, 2011
This account of a woman and dog recovering from abuse may have been cathartic to write, but was disjointed and unconvincing. Honestly not sure why I finished it.
May 4, 2011
I think this chick is pretty high on the crazy scale.
April 11, 2011
As an animal lover, I completely understood the author's message in writing this book. It was a quick, inspirational and enjoyable book to read.
June 20, 2011
Quite an uplifting story. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
May 1, 2012
Thankful this was free! This story jumped all over the place and the editing was horrible. Sorry but not in the must read category.
July 23, 2012
I liked it.
January 28, 2013
Good story, but the timeline was all over the place. There was a severe lack if proper punctuation, especially commas. Paragraphs were also hard to come by.
April 2, 2013
Eh, it wasn't very good. More like a personal journal from a wanna be writer. Oh and she even talks to a dog physic and thinks her dog talks back to her. Humm....
January 8, 2014
I don't usually read NONFICTION , but when there is. Puppy,kitten or some 4legged friend I'll give it a shot.
And I must agree with the author. SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS HAVE HAIRY LEGS☺️
And I must agree with the author. SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS HAVE HAIRY LEGS☺️
January 22, 2015
Good story, wonderful message!
August 21, 2010
Loved this story. All animal lovers should read this book.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews