Having recently finished “When Harry Met Minnie: A True Story of Love and Friendship” by Martha Teichner, I am happy to have had the chance for the preview; thank you NetGalley and Celadon Books!

Believing in fate and reading about those amazing moments in this story is definitely one of the things I will remember about "When Harry Met Minnie."

Martha came into Carol's life when Carol needed her most. And Minnie was there for Harry when he was in need of friendship as well. In this case the brief yet powerful friendship was treasured forever in a diary of memories and a crazy amount of furry photos. This story had heart-break, but it was balanced with moments of joy. E-mail exchanges between Martha and Carol were sad yet comforting; and at times funny too. I am so grateful Martha was able to share all of it with all of us lucky enough to read her story. 🐾❤🐾

DISCLAIMER: I own a two-year-old, three-legged pit bull sho is the best dog in the works. My undying love for her in no way influenced the following review. (okay. Maybe a LITTLE.)

This book is a must for dog lovers, but it is also a great story about human beings. It is a lovely, sweet, and at times emotional read that is not only about dogs but their humans as well. It is a true story. I immediately recommended it to my friend with a bull terrier and I’m glad I did, because it’s a lovely and sometimes heartbreaking story about those of us who love our dogs more than anything. It’s also a lovely New York story, incorporating present day New York, 9/11, and a friendship between two women as well as two dogs.

The writer, who is a reporter, has an accessible and page-turning writing style that will immediately draw you into the story and its central friendship.

Many thanks to NetGalley Celadon Books and the author for granting my wish for this sweet and lovely book which manages to be uplifting and laugh out loud funny even as it deals with heartbreak.

What a wonderful book!! I knew as I began that there would be sad parts - and yes, I was sobbing in one part as I relived an identical experience I had almost a year ago with my beloved cat - but they were good tears. Loving a pet is so special and losing a pet is heartbreaking but inevitable.

It was incredible seeing the friendship that grew between Martha and Carol - - and by extension, Carol's friends and Martha. And then there was the bond between Minnie and Harry - what a joy. There's a lot of sadness in this book but it's balanced out by the good things like the unexpected friendship (and yes, I believed the whole woo-woo coincidences were not coincidences at all!) and the special times they all shared.

Martha's writing is excellent - - it flows well - - like sitting down and talking with a friend,. She can be proud that she's done this tribute to her friend.

This was an emotional and heart-warming read. It is also a very easy and quick read. I enjoyed the look into the lives of these characters. Be ready with tissue for the last 20% of the book though.

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for providing me with the book. Opinions expressed are my own.

Being more of a cat person than dog person, a portion of this new book got to be a bit much (so much gushing over the specialness one's pet/s got tiresome) but I did enjoy it, especially the parts about the author's work as a journalist and the descriptions about NYC and the people. I think it's quite interesting how certain types of animals are selected by people (often repeatedly) and how those animal's breed characteristics influence friendships with other humans and their pets/dogs. Though the title led me to expect more dog-with-dog stories, this book was heavily weighted in the telling of the back story of how these two dogs came to live together in NYC. Anyone who has ever taken in someone else's pet will understand how doing so can change one's daily life if that pet is special needs or quirky. The human friendships that resulted from this doggie relationship were instant, deep and strong.

If you have been a fan of CBS Sunday Morning show then you might be familiar with this author and learning more about her.

When Harry Met Minnie is a cute story on how Minnie is grieving about a lose mate (best friend). When her owner notices that she might need a new friend, She considers adopting another pup. It just so happens a sickly woman whose life expectancy is short, is looking for a forever home for her pup Harry. However, It takes some work to get these two pups united. In this story it also goes in depth of the authors life and how she came to be who she was. This was a good story and one that I will think about for awhile. However, The only part I didn't really care for, was, the fact in certain parts it talked more about her childhood/life story, than that of the dogs lives. I wish it had focused more on the dogs.

A wonderful homage to bull terriers and friendship

Martha Teichner is my kind of animal lover. In the opening chapter of When Harry Met Minnie, she describes meeting a man while walking Minnie soon after her dog Goose died. “For months, this man and I had talked, carrying on long, meaty conversations some days, just saying hello other times…. I don’t think he ever knew my name or I his. But we knew each other’s dogs’ names.” I can identify with that! Teichner loves dogs, but she especially loves bull terriers. So when she finds out from an acquaintance that his friend Carol is dying of cancer and is looking for a loving home for her beloved bull terrier Harry, she reluctantly agrees to see if Minnie and Harry, both of them older dogs, can accept each other.
The narrative of the bonding of Harry and Minnie is a fun romp. The reader sees their personalities and idiosyncrasies, like Harry’s favorite game of catching and throwing tennis balls in a food bowl, and rejoice as the dogs bond. There are a lot of memorable scenes, like taking the dogs for the Blessing of Animals at a local Episcopal church.
Martha and Carol bond, too, and their friendship as well as Martha’s growing friendship among the other people who are Carol’s support network is an equally heartwarming part of the book, as Carol’s cancer proceeds to the inevitable conclusion.
Martha Teichner has a gift for picking out and bringing to life small but memorable events. Not all were upbeat, but they were noteworthy, such as the Catholic priest in the hospice who tried to baptize Carol without her consent after she told him she was Jewish.
When Harry Met Minnie is about love, love between humans and dogs, love of dogs for other dogs and love among people, but it also displays Teichner’s clear love for New York City. The city becomes more than just background, and the depiction makes me keen for my next opportunity to visit there again.
There are many smiles in When Harry Met Minnie, but not surprisingly there is sadness as well. In the Acknowledgments at the end of the book Teichner says, “I thank Carol for bequeathing me so much more than her dog and for trusting me to find something other than just sadness in the last months of her life.” I agree.
I received an advance review copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley.

I have had this book at the top of my want to read pile for a bit now. I knew that I wanted undisturbed time to settle in with it. Having seen the book promo"d on a favorite Sunday morning television show, I knew I had to dive in. When better than during the LOVE month?
TISSUE WARNING - whether you believe you are sensitive or not, you will experience a rollercoaster of emotions as you read this book.
It is no secret that Harry is not a young dog. No matter how dogs enter our lives, or how long they are with us, the end comes too soon.
This is not only Harry's story, nor Harry and Minnie's.
This is a story of friendship, life and death, with plenty of light-hearted moments.
I'll be honest- there were also passages that made me want to strike out in anger.
If you have ever dealt with human end-of-life and insurance bureaucracy, have sat with a loved one wishing for the best but praying for relief of pain, there may be pages that are difficult to read.
Martha has a gentle tone but pulls no punches.
This is a book you want to read and discuss with friends.

I thought that when Harry Met Minnie was a really cute and deep book. I held back tears for a good portion of the book, and really enjoyed the read overall.

See my full video review here :https://youtu.be/Cl6B5pJOJUs

This memoir is a touching and well-written story, but much sadder than I expected. Although it includes the charming story of when Harry met Minnie, the book focuses more on the humans’ relationships with their dogs and with each other. Some parts of the story were very cute and made me laugh, but I wish I had been better prepared for the sad parts. Any animal lover should be prepared to feel some anguish reading this.

All of the people and animals were quirky and interesting. It felt like a privilege getting to know them a bit, although I do wish that some photographs had been included. The locations also become characters in the story; I loved some of Ms. Teichner’s descriptions of New York City.

I was also intrigued with some of the author’s brief descriptions of her work in journalism and in environmental conservation. I would love to see her write more about her work.

This bittersweet story might not be a great choice for those who prefer happy endings or are squeamish about chronic illness and death, but I am glad that I read it.

I was provided an unproofed ARC through NetGalley that I volunteered to review.

I loved this story because it teaches the reader about healing through pets and how much an impact they can have on our health as seen with Martha and Harry. I definitely was moved throughout the story and found that I could relate to how our animals help us through the most difficult of times. It was a sad story, provoking tears, but it also provoked joy in knowing how much animals can mean to us in our life. I've never had dogs but cats also provide that same comfort and I have greatly enjoyed stories that demonstrate the significance of animals to humans. Thank you for the opportunity to read.

This book fell flat for me. I kept waiting to FEEL something. I KNOW, I KNOW, the subject matter was very sad, as it follows the author agreeing to take in a dying woman's dog, and their subsequent relationship. For some reason, it just didn't tug on my heartstrings. ( I am an avid doglover, BTW). Maybe there was too much detail, as I found myself skimming over anecdotal stories more times than just once.
Thank you NetGalley for this copy!

This book gave me all the feels and it brought back memories of living nearby to Union Square. I have walked the same streets and probably shopped at the same booths at the farmer’s market. Love it and yes there are doggies everywhere! A sweet story Martha shares about her love for the bull terrier breed, shared with us each pup’s personality, the adventure she has with them, and the heartbreak of losing them. On one of her walks with Minnie, Martha runs into an old friend who tells her about Carol and her bull terrier Harry. Carol is dying of cancer and is desperately looking for a home for Harry. As fairytales go, Harry meets Minnie and as us dog owners know it truly is up to our dogs. Oh my heart, bring out tissues. Their lives have changed, Martha and Carol forged a beautiful friendship, helping and making Carol’s illness a bit easier to cope, seeing a bond with Minnie and Harry they are inseparable. A beautiful ending! Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Celadon Books for a gifted copy. This is my honest review.

Thanks so much to Celadon for this advanced copy! I was so excited about this book and it did not disappoint.

If you like a good memoir, passionate friendships, and DOGS- you have got to pick up Martha Teichner's new book (Pub date: 2/21/2021)

In short, When Harry Met Minnie is about love, loss, and dedication. Martha has a dear bull terrier Minnie and is the true definition of a dog mom. She is approached by a friend who tells her that one of his dear friends, Carol Fertig, is dying and is looking for a safe place for her bull terrier, Harry, to live out his life when she passes. The two women and their dogs connect, and strike up a friendship for the ages.

I loved Martha's story. She really celebrates Carol's life and delves into what it means to be a friend. I highly recommend this!

"When Harry Met Minnie" is a story of love and friendship between humans and canines. Martha Teichner is a busy CBS correspondent who shares her New York City home with a beloved bull terrier. Through a series of random events, she is introduced to a terminally ill woman who is seeking to rehome her bull terrier when she can no longer care for him.

Teichner does not agree to adopt another dog immediately: First, she has to make sure that her own dog (Minnie) and the other dog (Harry) would become friends or at least peacefully co-exist. During the course of many get-togethers with their dogs, Teicher forges a close friendship with designer Carol Fertig as Fertig battles cancer.

The two dogs at the center of the book are the catalyst for bringing together an entire community of people who have been touched by Fertig. While your heart will break for Fertig, some solace is provided in thinking about how many people she touched in her lifetime and the book's tribute to her personality and talents.

The book details some of the outrageous obstacles the sick must go through to obtain end-of-life care and sometimes includes tangential stories that could have been omitted. Nevertheless, there's much to appreciate in this poignant book.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Martha Teichner, and Celadon Books for giving me the opportunity to read the e-galley of this book.

I love this book so much! I got so attached to the dogs. I
think anyone, especially dog owners would enjoy this book.
Of course, there's a bit of sadness, but an amazing amount
of love!

Thank you so much, NetGalley, Martha Teichner, and your
publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this wonderful
book and review it!

I had a feeling when I chose this book that it wasn't just about dogs or even dogs bonding. Sure, I was drawn to the name because my favorite movie is When Harry Met Sally, but I knew this wasn't about a dog love story either. It's a book about companions, whether human or canine and the extent of sacrifice we're willing to endure to keep those relationships.

Although it's sad, (If you've recently lost someone - furry or not - you may want to come back to this another time.) following how dog owners, Martha and Carol, become friends despite an unpromising cancer diagnosis is a reminder of our need to connect. It's an example of keeping your word or commitment when times are hard. We see that even Harry and Minnie benefit from their relationship on a basic level that we as humans at times take for granted. Friendships give and take many things but they essentially are the batteries that fuel a full life. This book approaches the difficult subject that all living creatures face, death, with an eye on the fullness of a life truly lived until the end--a life capable of great meaning up to the last second.

It's not an easy read, especially after the year we've had, but in many ways, I think books like this help foster empathy that is sometimes lacking in this world.

Thank you Celadon Books for sharing this book! Sometimes we need reminders of how brief life is and how important it is to extend ourselves to tighten bonds even when they are short.

As someone who has also spent way too much money on vet bills for a newly rescued four legged child, I immediately bonded with Martha Teichner. Forget her fame as a CBS Sunday Morning newscaster, she’s a dog lover. And make no bones about it (pardon the pun), this is a book for dog lovers. When Martha talks about what fruits her dogs loved, I could relate. Cooper demands his banana at breakfast and apple at lunch. When she talks about the lengths she goes through to get the right diet and meds for Harry, I related.
But it’s also about so much more than dogs. Love. Friendship. Loss. The lengths people will go to for those they care about. It’s also about how dogs are the perfect antidote through the bad times.
The book is sad, but has lots of wonderful moments that will bring a smile to your face. Dog lovers will relate to it, but even no dog people will find lots in it for them. “Memories are our true remains, to be treasured, to be shared, to dim, and eventually to be lost, when no one is left to remember.”
My thanks to netgalley and Celadon Books for an advance copy of this book.

What is there not to love about a story involving pet parents, pet parenting, and the human relationships that form as a result? The novel, When Harry Met Minnie is just that story that you will fall in love with.

When I read the book's description, I just knew that When Harry Met Minnie would not disappoint. The novel is a true story that traces the lives of Harry and Minnie, bull terrier pets of famed designer, Carol Fertig and award winning correspondent, Martha Teichner. The book is also about how Carol and Martha's relationship blossoms into a deep and special bond as Carol's life deteriorates from the terminal cancer.

I laughed and cried, and was absolutely moved by such a touching story that When Harry Met Minnie delivered. A truly emotional read. Five stars.

I received a digital ARC from Celedon Books through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

My review is scheduled to post on my blog, Twitter, Goodreads, and Facebook accounts on January 19, 2021. Reviews on retail sites such as Amazon, and Barnes & Noble will occur on the publication date of February 2, 2021.

This nonfiction book describes how Martha Teichner agreed to take Carol's bull terrier, Harry, when Carol died of cancer. The two women came together over their shared love of dogs, but they bonded far more than that.

I enjoyed the writing. The women's friendship builds deeply and resonated. The description of clothes and objects is gorgeous and attentive to detail. I also really enjoyed that the book wove in references to the time period (2016 and the presidential election) and New York City.

It was a quick read for me, but it felt longer than necessary. I did not enjoy the chapter that began by stating it didn't relate to the rest of the book. I would have preferred a focus just on the story of the dogs and the friendship.

Overall, I was glad to have read it and gained insight into friendship, and particularly what new friends can mean as we age. It's a difficult book to read with its centering of love and loss, but a beautiful one.