The Dog Log: An Accidental Memoir of Yapping Yorkies, Quarreling Neighbors, and the Unlikely Friendships That Saved My Life

This pet memoir from comedian and performer Lucas is written as a “Dear Sheriff” log of complaints by the narrator, an L.A. resident, former teacher, musician, and partner of Roxy, a fellow teacher who used to be his biggest cheerleader and fan. That was then; his “now” is a sad-sack, hand-to-mouth existence as a freelance graphic designer obsessing over his breakup with Roxy and going nuts from all the barking next door. His elderly neighbor Irene has a Yorkie named Sophie who won’t keep quiet. Lucas is secretly delighted when Sophie dies, but Irene immediately replaces Sophie with another barker, Lauren. Then Irene breaks her arm and has to stay at a convalescent home. Who will take care of Lauren—and her equally unruly (but blessedly barkless) companion, the lovable Nelson? Lucas tends to the dogs, first tossing them food and water, then taking more of an interest and trying to house-train, then clearing out hoarder Irene’s filthy apartment. Soon the dogs are staying with Lucas, who now has several new dog-walking friends. But what happens when Irene returns?