My Life with George

September 3, 2007
Coping with the loss in an 11-day period of both her ebullient husband and her beloved father in 1998, Summers, then the mother of a nine-year-old son, bought a puppy to fill the gaping emptiness in their lives. From his first night in his new London house, George, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel, proved he was top dog when he finagled his way into Summers's bed. George's piercing barks could only be quieted by an early morning nosh; he vomited on carpets and beds after swallowing a foam ball; rang up astronomical bills at the vet and dental hygienist for frequent illnesses and mishaps; and ran off one of Summers's beaus with licking, farting and neediness. Summers's spiteful cat, who peed on the couch and let George take the rap, was sent packing to an animal refuge. George was devastated when Summers split with another boyfriend who pampered him with take-out Chinese, and the pooch survived a vicious attack by a bull terrier on Hampstead Heath. Although unnecessarily expanded from a newspaper article, Summers's (Casanova's Women
) genial, sweet Marley-wannabe tale should appeal to other pet owners whose rambunctious animals dominate their existence.

Starred review from October 1, 2007
In a period of one month, author Summers ("Casanova's Women; Dear Sister") lost her husband and her father and was left to fend for herself and her eight-year-old son, Joshua. Her memoir recalls her emergence from grief and her son's journey to adulthood with the help of one bossy, poorly trained, beautiful Cavalier King Charles spaniel named George. Not knowing how to rouse herself from her paralyzing mourning, Summers agreed to her son's request to purchase a dog. From the start, George was demanding. Roasted chicken was his diet of choice. Summers's bed, even when it was occupied by a new romantic partner, was his chosen spot for rest. Shredding papers, particularly notes for a new book, was his preferred form of exercise. George was accident prone and disposed to skin and ear problems, and the vet bills added up. Yet, Summers concludes, "George found us when we were lost, and anchored us when we were adrift." Humorous and poignant, reminiscent of John Grogan's "Marley & Me", this charming book is highly recommended for public library pet and self-help collections.Florence Scarinci, Nassau Community Coll. Lib., Garden City, NY

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