For Love of a Dog Book Review and Giveaway

A pet expands your world and your heart. Nod in silent agreement if you’ve ever felt this way. Every once in a while, a book comes along that lingers in my mind long after the final words are read. For The Love of Dog by Maggie Marton is the latest book to live rent-free in my mind, with good reason.

Maggie, a dear friend of mine with whom I co-authored Pet Blogging for Love and Money, explores our relationships with dogs, along with how they think and why that bond is unbreakable. She shares stories and insights into why she cares so deeply for pets and how her family grew, evolved, and came to accept her passion. It’s part-memoir, part science, part why dogs do what they do.

What follows is my firsthand feedback on For the Love of Dog and what you can expect from author, blogger, and journalist Maggie Marton as you comb through the pages.

A Book That Speaks to All Dog Lovers

If you like the idea of sitting down with an honest, real person who seems familiar despite having never met, this book hits the mark. I’ve known Maggie for as long as I’ve been in the pet industry (over 15 years), so I tried to distance myself from the fact that the woman knows how to write. And she knows dogs (and cats, too).

In For the Love of Dog, Maggie weaves together personal stories and surprising research that completely shifts how you see your bond with your dog. You’ll find yourself chuckling at familiar dog quirks one minute, then discovering the fascinating science behind why they tilt their heads or seem to read your mind the next. She takes complex concepts and makes them feel effortless, grounding them in those everyday moments every dog parent knows by heart.

It’s like having coffee with a friend who shares her thoughts on why our dogs are basically soulmates with four legs (or less) and a tail (or not). Between her canine insights, scientific musings, and reflections, she shares the story of her adult life. Not many authors could pull this task off seamlessly, but Maggie manages to weave it all together with honesty, warmth, and just the right dose of humor. The result is a book that feels equal parts intimate memoir and universal celebration of what it means to love a dog.

Favorite Passages and Excerpts

When I read a book, I tend to highlight or dog-ear different pages. I am not entirely sure why other than I do go back to those pages and re-read them just because or when my mood needs a lift. There are many passages highlighted in this memoir.

I first shared For The Love of Dog with my spouse. After reading the intro and first chapter, her eyes filled with tears. Worried that the book may be too sad, I asked why she was crying.

“This is absolutely beautiful and so well written, Carol,” my wife reported. She’s really fussy about the books she reads, and so I knew this book would resonate with anyone whose heart beats dog(r). A few of my favorite passages and excerpts, without spoilers, include:

“What makes our pets such good friends? Why do most of us prefer the company of dogs to the company of friends and family? Why are we happy to spend all our time with our dogs but not our human friends and family, who we also love but need time away from?” (she answers this eloquently)

“So often women learn to shrink. To take up as little space as possible. To be small…Our societal conditioning is tough to overcome.”

“Our dogs don’t pretend or tell stories, but can they understand our mental states? On the days I couldn’t drag myself out of bed, the nights I couldn’t sleep because of temperature fluctuations, or the morning I sobbed because my hair started to fall out in the shower, did they have a sense of my state of mind?”

If you’ve ever wondered what your dog is thinking and if you are being the best pet parent/owner/guardian you can be, you’ll feel reassured by your new friend, Maggie Marton, on the pages of For the Love of Dog.

Themes in For The Love of Dog

There are several dominant themes throughout, which are important to me and most readers when they decide to read a book so intimate about dogs and our reciprocal love for them.

At its core, the book explores the unbreakable bond between humans and dogs, tracing its evolution and its ongoing influence on our daily lives.

Another strong theme is understanding and communication. Maggie takes the quirks we see in our dogs (unexpected head tilts, soulful stares, goofy antics) and connects them to the science of how dogs think, remember, and respond to us. It’s a reminder that our dogs aren’t just reacting; they’re processing and feeling in ways that often mirror our own.

There’s also the theme of resilience and growth, both in her dogs and in her own journey. She doesn’t shy away from the challenges of training, loss, and change, but instead shows how those experiences deepen the connection we share with our pets.

Finally, the book carries an undercurrent of gratitude and presence. It asks pet parents to slow down, pay attention, and appreciate the small moments with our dogs, which are the ones that add up to a lifetime of love.

Who is This Book For?

If you love a mix of heart and science, you’ll feel right at home in these pages. This isn’t a how-to training guide or a strict scientific textbook; it’s a conversation that blends real-life stories, thoughtful research, and the kind of insights that make you hug your dogs a little tighter. I have a Cocker Spaniel sprawled across my feet as I write this review, so I can relate.

For the Love of Dog is for:

• Dog parents or guardians who view their pets as family, not just companions.
• Readers who enjoy memoirs with a mix of personal stories and real science.
• Curious minds who want to understand better how dogs think and why they do what they do.
• Anyone grieving a beloved dog and seeking comfort in shared experiences.
• All-around dog lovers who want to nod along and say, “Yes, that’s exactly how I feel about my dog.”

Older kids and teens will appreciate the book’s pace, style, and clear, easy-to-understand cadence. Younger kids may find some of the science concepts a bit weighty, and there are passages that deal with grief.

Adults and mature teens who can appreciate both heartwarming and bittersweet moments will take comfort in these pages.

Who Is Maggie Marton?

Aside from being my friend and colleague, Maggie Marton is more than qualified to release a book about dogs. In her own words, she is a “mom, pet pro, dog-obsessed cat lady, pit bull advocate, eco-friendly, cancer thriver, and former Vice President of the Dog Writers Association of America (DWAA).”

Maggie is the founder of the award-winning Oh My Dog! blog, but what sets her apart is her unique, sometimes quirky, and always introspective thoughts on dogs. She writes like someone who’s been stopped mid-walk because her dog found the perfect stick, and who also knows exactly why that moment matters on a deeper level. She is one of those people whose prose I read every. single. time. In digital, always, and now in print.

Fun fact: Maggie served as Vice President during my two-year term as President with DWAA.

Why This Book Matters

In a world that sometimes dismisses the intensity of our love for our dogs, this book oozes, “you’re not crazy, this bond is real and profound.“

It validates what dog people already know in their bones, and that is that our dogs aren’t “just pets,” they’re family, companions, emotional anchors. Maggie backs up what we feel with research, history, and stories that prove this connection is one of the most significant relationships humans can have.

Where Can I Purchase For Love of a Dog?

Maggie is a lover of libraries; I know because when I visited her, she took me to her local library! Ask your local library about the book or purchase from one of the sites listed below.

Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I am also an Etsy and Chewy affiliate.

Here are direct links to purchase For The Love of Dog:

How to Win a Copy of For the Love of Dog

We are giving away one copy of For the Love of Dog in our 15th Annual Dog Halloween Photo Contest. If you prefer not to wait and see if you won, be sure to purchase a copy at one of the links above.

This is directly for my friend and published author, Maggie Marton: Sir Alvin and I give this book four paws up: Two front paws from me for the laughter, the reality, and the tenderness that is your writing, with two paws from Sir Alvin for so eloquently giving him (and his millions of friends past and present) the voice of truth.