Starter Dog: My Path to Joy, Belonging and Loving This World

Maynard (My Mother’s Daughter) invites listeners to “go on a walk with a very good boy.” When she and her husband decided to get their first dog (or when Rona ran out of reasons to keep vetoing the idea), they had a laundry list of ideal canine qualities. Maynard, a former magazine editor, was inclined to expect perfection, and her future furry friend could certainly offer no less. After realizing how competitive the designer dog market can be, they decided to settle for a rescue. Trained as part of a prison rehab program, the pup they christened Casey Jones didn’t seem to tick any of their boxes, save one: he was available! Maynard’s humorous, heartwarming memoir explores every facet of canine companionship, from dog psychology to scooping poop. Read by the author, the narrative adopts an air of authenticity and relatability that would otherwise be lost. Though the listening experience lacks theatrics, Maynard’s straightforward storytelling is intelligent and inviting.