My Life in Dog Years

When Candida Pugh fell in love with a friend's giant poodle, she decided to find one for herself. But the poodle she found at a Fremont, California, shelter resembled the other dog only in his keen intelligence and outgoing personality. In fact, she was advised not to adopt Henry because "he's a biter." If that had summed up his defects, it would've been bad enough, but his tendency to bite the hand that fed him proved merely the tip of the iceberg.

Her struggles with this maddening, adorable, astute animal foreshadowed a series of impulsive acquisitions of dogs with issues. In this memoir, she details how her love for difficult dogs resulted in frustration, determination, and ultimately jubilation. The unwavering devotion she won from each gave her the courage to overcome her own troubled past.

Discussion questions provided by the publisher, DartFrog Books.

Book club questions for My Life in Dog Years by Candida Pugh

Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.

Cesar Milan says dogs need exercise, discipline, and affection, in that order. Do you agree or disagree?

The author thinks training should be adapted to the dog, not the dog to training. Agree?

If you had adopted Henry, how would you have worked to turn him into a good citizen?

Have you had your own problem dog? How did you handle it?

Have you had a dog that was aggressive with people, with other dogs, or with both? How did you deal with it?

Relate your own funny story involving a dog or a cat you loved.

Do you think when a pet dies, you’d want to get another one immediately? After a time of grieving? Or never?

The author claims dogs aren’t little people in fur coats. Agree or disagree?

What, if anything, did the book cause you to question? What did it affirm for you?

My Life in Dog Years Book Club Questions PDF

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