You Had Me at Woof

How Dogs Taught Me the Secrets of Happiness

By: Julie Klam

Narrated by: Karen White

Length: 5 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

Julie Klam was 30, single, and working as a part-time clerk in an insurance company, wondering if she would ever meet the man she could spend the rest of her life with. And then it happened. She met the irresistible Otto, her first in a long line of Boston terriers, and fell instantly in love.

You Had Me at Woof is the often hilarious and always sincere story of how one woman discovered life's most important lessons from her relationships with her canine companions. From Otto, Julie realized what it might feel like to find "the one". She learned to share her home, her heart, and her limited resources with another, and she found an authentic friend in the process. But that was just the beginning. Over the years, her brood has grown to one husband, one daughter, and several Boston terriers. And although she had much to learn about how to care for them - walks at 2 a.m., vet visits, behavior problems - she was surprised and delighted to find that her dogs had more wisdom to convey to her than she had ever dreamed. And caring for them has made her a better person - and completely and utterly opened her heart.

Riotously funny and unexpectedly poignant, You Had Me at Woof recounts the hidden surprises, pleasures, and revelations of letting any mutt, beagle, terrier, or bulldog go charging through your world.

©2010 Julie Klam (P)2010 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A funny, wise and moving account of being dragged into reluctant adulthood by a pack of abandoned Boston terriers. It didn't just make me laugh - it also, I'll confess, made a grown man cry." (Ken Foster, author of The Dogs Who Found Me)

I loved everything about this book

Being a life long lover of dogs .. I’m now 70 and still enthusiastic about them, I found this audio book one of the best I’ve listened to in a while. I currently own a German Shorthair Pointer and she .. like many before her is the love of my life. If you love or have loved a dog then you will likely love this book.

love, love, loved it

a friend suggested this book but held back that there was a tragedy--i cried--but i loved listening to this book--made me even more thankful that we were able to rescue our own dogs and live through it!!!

Enjoyed the audio version..

This book is about the journey of being a dog owner and rescue person. I own 4 dogs myself and dog sit for another. 4 out of 5 are also Boston's. I could really relate to the Author. What I liked about this book is that the stories are true and heartfelt. They made me laugh and cry. What I really liked is how the book shows how important it is to be a responsible pet owner and how much our pets need us. I recomend this book for all dog lovers but especially for someone considering getting their first dog.

Fell in love with Boston's

What did you love best about You Had Me at Woof?

I'm a bully-breed mom, but listening to this made me miss my French Bulldog, and actually fall in love with the smush-faced breeds all over again. I really related to the author, and felt that if she wasn't in NYC, she could be me!

Which scene was your favorite?

SPOILER ALERT: The moment she realized that she truly loved Dahlia was heart warming. It takes dogs for so many of us to figure out many aspects of our lives, and seeing her realize that age isn't the end of the world was just wonderful.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There were times sitting in my car that I'd be stuck in traffic and just start weeping. I felt what the author felt, and I laughed and cried hard more than once!

Any additional comments?

Highly recommended to any dog lover. Dog people will be able to relate to her. Non dog people will most likely shake their heads in confusion...

Tried and tried but couldn't even read it

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I love dogs...thought oh great...it was horrible. I could not make myself listen it.

dog lover in virginia

The title is titilating, but I had to stop listening after the first two hours. I couldn't take the obsessiveness of the character, the fact the dog dies without any reference to its aging or demise. The author then launches into her marriage and having kids. It made it hard to follow or stay engaged.

Don't read if you have never trained a dog before

I found parts of this book really moving and other parts drove me mad!
It was like I wanted to shake the author, thinking how can you let your dogs rule you like that! Your saving dogs yet have no idea how to train them! UGH
So don't read this book if your looking for guidance on dog training...
Also don't read this if you do rescue dogs and know how to train them as you might get annoyed.