Dog People

By: Jennifer Weiner

Narrated by: Steven Weber

Length: 53 mins

Publisher's summary

The number-one New York Times best-selling author of Big Summer masterfully combines Stephen King with Donna Tartt, plus a twist of Shirley Jackson, in this timely tale of a man, his new partner, and his old dog.

When he was a boy, it was just him and his mother, and when he was an adult, it was just him, alone. Michael Corcoran thought it would always be that way.

Then he’d met Tina, who didn’t know that he’d never had friends, or what kinds of “experiments” he liked to do in his lab in the garage as a boy. Instead of being alone, Michael had a wife, and children, and eventually, a dog.

Michael had promised himself he wasn’t going to be one of those people who pushed their dogs in carriages and called them “fur babies”. “Just wait,” Tina said - and soon enough, Lady was enjoying premium kibble and wearing a tiny Eagles jersey, plus special booties for the snow. He and Tina even developed a voice for Lady, a routine: a low, gruff, cigarettes-and-whiskey tone that went with the tragic backstory they gave her.

Then Tina found a lump in her breast. And then she was gone. And then small, determined Suzanne Nelson dropped by Michael’s newly empty apartment with some homemade lasagna and never left. The transition would’ve gone smoothly if not for Lady - and the lisping, babyish falsetto Suzanne used when she “talked” as the dog.

Michael asked her to stop. And Suzanne did her best. But some things people can’t change, no matter how they try, like how they sound, and who they love - and who they are, in the wee small hours, when it’s dark and no one’s watching.

©2020 Jennifer Weiner, Inc. All rights reserved. (P)2020 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

terrible ending

this was a good story until the end. could have made it a much better ending..I usually like Jennifer's stories. not this one.

What???

The author absolutely does not understand ’dog people’. Strange story with a horrible ending. Not for me!

Horrible

Don’t bother if because of the title you think this is a happy story about dogs and their people. It’s horrible, and goes beyond what’s needed for a willing suspension of disbelief.

Too Short!

It was only 53 minutes! Not worth the money I spent! This needed to be a collection of short stories to be worth my credit.

Don't listen to this if you love dogs

So terrible. seriously if you are a dog person don't listen to this yuck, totally unbelievable

If You Actually Are A Dog Person, Steer Very Clear Of This One

*Spoiler Alert*

I just finished listening to this and I’m absolutely shocked, disgusted, horrified, and every other synonym I can’t think of in my outrage.
This isn’t just an entertaining short story, though the writing is fine and Stephen Weber is a great narrator. This is human behavior at its absolute worst trying to pass itself off as benign literature. There is no excuse nor absolutely any reason for the author to have chosen this ending of the story. This normalizes animal cruelty, highlights a faithful animal’s life as something to be cherished only when it is convenient. There is no apparent consequence for the human’s sick thinking and and twisted behavior. I know it’s fiction but there are far, far too many real life cases just like this. It is highly irresponsible to put this out as “entertainment”. I’m sure there are those who will think I’m overreacting, but rescue animals everywhere need a voice to stand up for them not only in every day situations but also in media situations that forgive, promote,
and almost encourage cruelty. I will NEVER recommend this nor the author to anyone.

Don’t read!!

The dog dies in the end. No, not even that. The dog is murdered by her owner in the end. Don’t even bother with this book. It should never have been written.

Traumatized by ending

What a terrible ending for a book that’s title will entice dog lovers to buy. Ugh.

Horrible

So disturbing. if you love dogs DON'T read this. Don't ignore the reviews.. I want my money back.

Wtf did i just listen to

I don’t usually leave a review, but i felt compelled to this time. I have read all of Jennifer Weiner’s books and loved them however this one was such a disappointment and honestly the abrupt ending was disturbing. I was listening to it in my car with my dog and i feel bad for subjecting her to it! Only spent $1.99 but regret even that!