Golden Boy: How to raise a dog all wrong . . . and end up all right - A Memoir (Sort of)

Meet Sandy. She's a cat lady who likes a calm, quiet, orderly home. A dog doesn't belong in the picture. Yet when life takes a heartbreaking turn, a dog may be just what she needs to bring back the joy. It has to be the right dog, of course--loyal, loving, and low key. Perfect obedience and good grooming mandatory.

Enter Riggs. He's a 34 lb. Goldendoodle billed as Sandy's perfect match. But Riggs has better things to do than sit around adoring a hangdog writer. Eating poop, for example.  Or rolling on dead fish and mystery corpses. This demonic muppet nips the hand that feeds him--and the butt attached to it, too.

Completely outfoxed by her incorrigible pup, Sandy commits to learning about leadership from a series of obedience trainers and a witty life coach. Riggs is equally determined to stay top dog.  It's only when the novice owner drops the leash and takes to the trails that a tenuous bond forms, gradually blossoming into a profound connection.

Hilarious and poignant, Golden Boy reveals an important truth:  Sometimes... you get the dog you need.