The Dog Log

September 13, 2019

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?

VERDICT Though occasionally overwritten, this heartwarming "who saved whom" story will appeal to dog owners, the lovelorn, and fans of comic memoirs.--Liz French, Library Journal

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2019
At times, this book is a tough sell: a soul-baring pity party by an L.A. resident who's out of love and out of work. But comedian-writer Lucas redeems himself by caring for two Yorkshire terriers after his next-door neighbor lands in a convalescent home. His memoir is told through a diary-log he starts keeping when a local deputy sheriff tells him he must itemize his barking-dog complaints. As it goes on, Lucas discovers that neighbor Irene (owner of said barking dogs) is a hoarder, her apartment has been trashed by animals, and her Yorkies Nelson and Lauren are in desperate need of some TLC. Good deeds prevail, and Lucas' ex-girlfriend Roxy returns (though he eventually ends the relationship). He does an overhaul cleaning of Irene's home and, in the process, starts to straighten up his own life. Better still: Irene's health improves, and the two become friends. A quick read with a happy-for-now ending.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)