Walking in Circles Before Lying Down

A Novel

By: Merrill Markoe

Narrated by: Renée Raudman

Dawn Tarnauer's life isn't exactly a success story. Already twice divorced, the young Californian is too busy job-hopping to start a career, her current boyfriend insists on living "off the grid," her life coach sister perpetually interferes with incomprehensible affirmations, her eccentric mother is busy promoting the culmination of her life's work - the Every Holiday Tree - and her father is ending his brief third marriage while scheduling two dates for the same night.

Dawn's only source of security and comfort, it seems, is Chuck, a pit-bull mix from the pound. So, when her boyfriend announces that he's leaving her for another woman, a despairing Dawn turns to Chuck for solace. "I should have said something sooner," Chuck confides, as he tries to console her. "Couldn't you smell her on his pants?"

Dawn is stunned. It's one thing to talk to your pets, but what do you do when they start talking back? It's not just Chuck, either; she can hear all dogs - and man's best friend has a lot to say.

The ever-enthusiastic Chuck offers his tried-and-true advice on the merits of knocking over garbage and strewing it everywhere, auxiliary competitive peeing etiquette, and the curative powers of tossing a ball. Doubtful of her own sanity, Dawn considers that, in the ways of life and love, it might be better to trust Chuck's doggie instincts instead of her own.

©2009 Merrill Markoe (P)2009 Tantor

Critic reviews

"This latest offering from multiple Emmy winner and one-time David Letterman head writer Markoe...may be her best yet." ( Booklist)
"Markoe deftly weaves doggie instinct into an insightful tale that's bound to make you laugh out loud." ( People)

Life is incomplete without a dog by your side...

I purchased this after I read the the book. And.....I enjoyed it so much more! It is the kind of story that stirs up every emotion we have inside- joy, anger, sadness, excitement, humor, contentment, etc.... It is full of witty dialogue, heart-wrenching decisions, and life lessons....given to us honestly and simply by man's best friend, a dog.
This is a must-have for my fellow dog lovers who believe that life isn't complete without a faithful canine by your side!

Perfect!!!!

Laugh out loud funny for anyone who loves dogs. Started calling my dog Chuck! Merrill Markoe can obviously read puppy minds! I highly recommend. Have suggested this book to many and I have yet to get anything but an enthusiastic two thumbs up

Didn’t want it to end!

A sweet, sometimes very funny book. Well written,,we’ll narrated also. One of those feel good books!

Definite 5/5

I love this book! I have read it five times and listened to the audio version three times (I have major insomnia so books are very important to me). This book has such a wonderful and creative storyline. I am a huge animal lover and if you are, you will love this book.

I loved this book!

First of all, I rarely read fiction. I have more of a self help, history, and sociology kind of library. But my cousin talked me into this listen and I have to admit, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The story revolves around a woman who finds out that she can talk to dogs after a breakup with an unfaithful boyfriend (the dog says "You didn't know? Couldn't you smell her on his pants?") Add to that, a ditzy mother, a spacey sister, and an assortment of unsuitable love interests, and you've got a book that kept me smiling as I was tooling down the highway. It's really well written and the narrator had enough of a repertoire of voices to keep all characters clear in your mind's eye. I can't wait to read/listen to more of this author's books.