The Dog Lived (and So Will I)

July 2, 2012
Discouraged by her past and hoping to turn a new leaf, divorced 41-year-old Rhyne vows to follow a convenient “alphabet life,” for all she needed was “Alcohol, Books, Coffee, and Dogs.” Moving to the suburbs of Los Angeles and casually dating a handsome younger man from her writing class, she is off to a good start when she meets the rambunctious beagle, Seamus. Although initially reluctant, she quickly finds her love of beagles rekindled. Yet soon after Seamus joins the household, he is diagnosed with cancer, with less than a year to live. Witnessing Seamus’s courageous battle for survival helps Rhyne deal with the challenges of his treatment, unexpectedly preparing her for her biggest battle yet—her own breast cancer diagnosis. Rhyne’s self-deprecating humor is mostly charming, but at times comes across as insecure. This encouraging tale of finding love and hope in unexpected places is full of small yet valuable life lessons that any animal-lover would appreciate: “Seamus had taught me this before... sometimes, you just need to focus on the cookies.” Agent: Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency.

Starred review from September 1, 2012

At 41, California lawyer Rhyne was twice divorced and had lost two dogs, so she was sure relationships of the romantic and pet variety were off her docket. Still, she couldn't deny her affinity for a much younger man or the pull of an abandoned (and controlling) beagle, Chris and Seamus, respectively. When Seamus was diagnosed with cancer, Rhyne developed her tough-talking "hospital personality" to deal with medical personnel and situations. Then she herself was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, and all bets were off. This delightfully wise-cracking memoir (also the title of Rhyne's blog) will renew the spirits of cancer survivors as well as dog lovers. For health and pet collections.

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2012
Rhyne adores beagles. Having lost two previous dogs within months of each other, she was not sure she was ready for another dog. But when a shelter called with a beagle ready for adoption, she fell in love again. She was also beginning a new relationship, and when new man, dog, and she settled into a family, all seemed right with the world. But then Seamus' groomer discovered a lump, which when biopsied turned out to be an aggressive, one-year-to-live cancer. As Rhyne and her boyfriend dealt with Seamus' surgery, chemotherapy, and behavior issueshe had become a spoiled bratRhyne discovered a lump of her own. This breezy, heartfelt, and funny memoir walks the reader through all of the emotional and medical stages of cancer, both canine and human, making an awful situation infinitely readable and hopeful. Give this one to anyone going through cancer treatmentthe title alone tells it all.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)