I loved this true story by Jenna Blum about her aging dog. It is a story that will touch all animal lovers and would certainly be appreciated by anyone who's said good bye to a beloved pet. Woodrow was a loving, precious companion for fifteen years and the presence he had really comes through. Jenna Blum writes with honesty and clear prose. I highly recommend this one!

A lovely memoir about the last seven months of Woodrow and Jenna's time together. Loved how Jenna wove aspects of her love and writing life into the book.

Discussed on Episode 142 of the Book Cougars podcast.

https://www.bookcougars.com/blog-1/2021/episode142

My family had a dog when I was a child. I loved Penny dearly. However, she was the family dog, not my dog. I don't think I ever felt the deep emotional tie Blum experienced. My grown daughter, on the otherhand lived for her dog and her dog lived for her. After saving Olivia from a sure death by heartworm Olivia pulled my daughter out of a very dark period in her life. They became "sisters." When Olivia had to be euthanized at 13 years I could still feel their unique emotional bond.

Blum's story of her life with Woodrow echoed these memories and deepened my understanding of human/pet relationships. It reaffirmed my belief that dogs can and do become family. It was equal parts happy and tragic but 100% heartwarming.

Woodrow on the Bench is a wise, thoughtful loving memoir and tribute to Woodrow, a black lab and wonderful companion to bestselling author, Henna Blum. Sadly Woodrow succumbed to medical complications shortly after the death of the author’s mother. The memoir lovingly recounts Jenna finding her way through the other side of these life events
Woodrow had his own cadre of admirers. (as if Jenna weren’t enough of an attraction) who stopped by regularly as they sat by their bench in the Boston park near their home. Woodrow attracted people from all walks of life to his salon in the park!
You don’t have to be a canine devotee to devour this book and keep turning the pages. Jenna continues to write in her own engaging and compelling style in this memoir as in her previous fiction, articles or even a letter to a friend!

I cannot thank Jenna Blum enough for writing this book and sharing her life, joy and sorrow with her beloved forever friend Woodrow. I laughed and cried a lot because she shared every emotion all true pet lovers experience from the joyous beginning of their pet’s lives to the heartbreaking end. Jenna, thank you again for sharing this with your readers.