I Am Bunny

How a ""Talking"" Dog Taught Me Everything I Need to Know About Being Human

By: Alexis Devine

Narrated by: Alexis Devine

Length: 6 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Social media stars of @WhatAboutBunny Alexis Devine and Bunny the "talking" dog deliver a memoir loaded with wit and passion for animals, as well as the vulnerability and authenticity of a woman who learned to take care of herself by learning to talk to her dog

When Bunny, a fluffy, black-and-white sheepadoodle, was eight weeks old, her guardian Alexis presented her with an odd gift: a button programed to say “outside” when pressed. Within a few weeks, Bunny was using it all the time and Alexis, encouraged by Bunny’s progress, continued to introduce more buttons and more words . . .

Three years later, Bunny can now communicate using over one hundred buttons, stringing together important, relatable, philosophical phrases such as “Love you Mom,” “Dad went poop,” and “Ugh why?” In I Am Bunny, a memoir in essays, Alexis chronicles not only how Bunny learned to “talk,” but also the profound impact their journey has had on her life. Caring for Bunny has revealed to Alexis a path to self-acceptance, if not complete self-love, and as their relationship developed and their ability to communicate deepened, Alexis was able to reflect on and reframe her past traumas in a newly vulnerable and healing way. Helping Bunny through her fear and reactivity allowed Alexis to examine these qualities in herself, and as she created a safe space for Bunny, she too found space for her own healing.

Through charming anecdotes about day-to-day life with Bunny, explorations into prior animal language studies, and plenty of irreverent humor, daring, and heart, Alexis tells the story of how she and Bunny have become so inspiringly close, and explores the ancient and unique bond between dog and guardian that so many of us know leads to a deeper, more meaningful life.

©2023 Alexis Devine (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

Delightful

Wanted to read to learn more about communication with my pets and was delighted to have learned about so much more.
Thank you.

Understanding to be Understood

Alexis Devine’s take us on her journey with her dog, Bunny, is thoughtful and reflective. Devine details her thorough research, deep diving into cognitive and behavioral science in preparation for welcoming her hairy child and initial training that went into teaching a dog to “talk”. Alexis makes astute observations about animal communication through behavioral patterns and body language, sharing how these nuances lend themself to Augmentative buttons (but only if you are able to understand your furry companion first!) Further, Devine’s recount of her own self discovery is reflective, providing a uniquely raw perspective on her growth as a human being, and animal steward. The book is profoundly moving, and inspires you to consider the true potential of the animals we live with.

Reciprocity at its Finest!

A well-done memoir about learning to intentionally listen to our furry friends…and thus ourselves and to all those humans and animals we will and do encounter.

Alexis, the author, narrates this audiobook herself and after following her and her family on Instagram for the past couple years I found myself laughing out loud with her descriptions of some of the events I remembered her sharing and other that were brand new! She is absolutely hilarious and has the most quirky and honest personality just like her beloved dogs, Bunny, Otter and now Tenrec!! If you love dogs and have struggled understanding your more reactive and sensitive dogs (and humans!) and mental health in general you will love the audiobook! I listened to it in a day!

The only downside is that you do not get to view the absolutely stunning photos that Alexis has included in her printed version of the book! Going to buy that now & for Christmas presents :)

Thank you, Alexis for this wondering rendering of your life and learning. Highly looking forward to seeing your adventures continue! Would love another book on Bunny & Otter & Tenrec (but no pressure)!!!! You’re the best

Certified Dog Trainer gives Two Thumbs Up

Most books I recommend to my clients fall in the how-to category. You will find plenty of great information about how to do buttons or life with a dog in this book. But it is SO much more than that! Alexis and Bunny are stripping away centuries of outdated dogma around the human-dog relationship and opening us up to a World of possibility with our canines. This book is not just inspirational or brilliantly artistic, though it is those things, as well. It is, first and foremost, a well researched book grounded in scientific thought that is accessible and relatable at the same time.

Great book and narration

It’s really fun to hear Alexis narrating her own book. This is a wonderful read that encompasses much of Alexis and Bunny’s journey through life together. The book is insightful, informative, and inspiring, and offers a lot of the fun and humor that Bunny and Alexis share on IG. It was lovely to get a deeper sense of their connection and relationship. Thanks for writing this book! Highly recommend.

fun read

It was informational and fun. I love dogs and I love videos of Bunny and love the book a lot.

A wonderful story about a symbiotic relationship between a human and a dog.

I enjoyed this story and related to it being a dog owner myself. I appreciate her strong desire to understand Bunny and in the process learn about herself. I will be listening to this again.

Going deeper with Bunny and Alexis

As a long-time follower of Bunny and Alexis who has pieced together what I know about them from 60 second snippets on insta, I really appreciated the depth and context this Alexis/Bunny bio provided, as well as the history and science of animal communication the book offers. The book is well written and well read by the author.

Bravo!

Articulate and most enjoyable! Thank you Alexis, for putting in to words what many of us experience as dog stewards. Beautiful book. An absolute delight.

Great mix of an awesome story and history of interspecies communication research

Alexis Divine tells her story of developing a relationship and learning with Bunny with humility, humor, storytelling finesse, and references to the larger context of communication research with nonhumans. Love that this book is read by its author. Highly recommend.