Be Your Dog's Best Friend - (Dogs in Our World) by Katya Lidsky (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Bonding with a dog is good for the animal and good for us. Along the way to achieving the behaviors we desire from a dog, we change our behaviors too, taking us right to the intersection between dog guardianship and personal growth.

This how-to-bond book, set against the backdrop of a true love story, explores what happens when we prioritize the relationship with our canines over the results we get from them. With a woven narrative that features various foster dogs as well as exercises to practice with your own dog, it positions dog adoption as both a selfish and a selfless act. Every dog has the capacity to help us be the best version of ourselves, day after day, and in bonding to improve the relationship with our pet, we end up strengthening the relationship we really want: the one with ourselves.

Review Quotes

"I've encountered many animal lovers, but none as passionate, insightful, funny and inspiring as Katya. She has changed my relationship with my dogs and myself for the better. Her words will do the same for you."--Shannon Kopp, author of Pound for Pound

"Katya is the definition of walking the walk with a compassionate heart. Her dedication to helping dogs and humans alike is inspiring, enlightening and rare."--Rebecca Corry, CEO and Founder of Stand Up For Pits Foundation

"Katya's knowledge, deep intuition and generous spirit guided my family with our dog. It's because of her prodding, realism and spiritual connection to animals that I've learned how to care for, relate to and enjoy our dog."--June Diane Raphael, actress, writer

"Katya expresses deep passion, empathy, and humor in everything she does, and that shines through in her writing. Her unique voice is the perfect bridge for bringing together all lovers of animals, whether they work in veterinary medicine or rescue. (And she would remind me here that it's all the same world!) As a veterinarian with more than two decades of experience, I can attest to the importance of the human-animal bond. Katya and this book serve as a beautiful reminder of how spiritually healing that relationship can be--for both species."--Dr. Mike McClenahan, DVM

About the Author

Katya Lidsky is a writer and a trauma-informed, certified breathwork facilitator and creative grief coach who focuses on supporting animal shelter staff and volunteers, animal rescuers, veterinary teams, and creatives. She has written for The New York Times, Parents, Texas Monthly, Kinship, and Animal Wellness. She has been an animal advocate, shelter volunteer, and dog foster mom for more than 15 years, and worked with animal welfare nonprofits for more than a decade.