I appreciate the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book, but unfortunately, it didn’t resonate with me as I had hoped. While the author’s intent and themes may appeal to other readers, I found myself disengaged midway. While I acknowledge that others may find value here, the book didn’t personally capture my interest, and I didn’t come away with any new insights. This might simply be a case of different tastes, but it’s unlikely I’ll explore more works by this author.

'My Life as a Dog' is a sweet slice-of-life memoir which chronicles the adventures of Kevin the dachshund and his owner. There is a clear connection between man and dog, something which allows Davenport to provides a dog’s-eye view of life. In this view things become magnified in importance: chew treats are treasured, chicken bones are a life goal, and baths are a trial. Through his tender (and sometimes humorous) portrayal of a charismatic canine companion Davenport conveys the extraordinary ability of animals to take one out of the self and thus provide a new perspective on life. This is a book I would recommend to anyone who has ever loved or been loved by a dog.