Woodrow On The Bench by Jenna Blum

Release: October 26th 2021
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Harper
Source: Suzyapproved Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N

The New York Times and internationally bestselling author of Those Who Save Us pays tribute to her beloved black Lab, Woodrow, in this beautiful memoir that recalls the last six months of his life and the ways in which he taught her to live.

Life Lessons from a Wise Old Dog is a truly inspiring memoir about an old dog who became the center of a remarkable community. Jenna chronicles the precious, bittersweet days of her beloved dog’s final season while recalling the lively, mischievous, willful Woodrow of younger years. From tourists to dog-moms, from a handsome dogwalker to a mysterious stranger who helps Woodrow during a blizzard, you’ll meet the extraordinary people and dogs Jenna and Woodrow encountered on the bench—and laugh and cry along with them as they navigate their last days together. A story of devotion and community, WOODROW ON THE BENCH is for anyone who has ever loved an old dog—or sought to ease the transitions of grief, animal or human.

A must-read for dog lovers, WOODROW ON THE BENCH has a universal message for all readers about loss, love, and how to live—the book we all need right now. It will break your heart only to heal it again.

About the Author:

Jenna Blum is the New York Times and # 1 internationally bestselling author of novels Those Who Save Us, The Stormchasers, and The Lost Family. She was voted one of Oprah readers’ Top 30 Women Writers and is the CEO/co-founder of literary social media marketing company A Mighty Blaze.

Jenna is based in Boston, where she has taught workshops at Grub Street Writers for over 20 years and lives across from Woodrow’s bench. .

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Woodrow On The Bench Review:

“Woodrow on the Bench” is a cherished book to read if you are an animal lover, and I adored it.

The first aspect that struck me was how the author writes the story differently. In such memoirs, the author usually details a few chapters on how they met the dog and formed a bond over time. However, in this story, the author automatically dives into the tale and shares the precious moments with Woodrow, and flashes back to the good moments with him.

From the Commonwealth mall to the public garden, I felt like I was with the author as she and Woodrow interacted with the public and how Woodrow impacted their lives. There are just so many reasons to love Woodrow. Even though you know he is sick and shows the signs, he still has moments where he wants to be energetic and upbeat. My heart went out to him when he had an allergic reaction to the medication.

At the same time, my heart also went out to the author for the lifestyle changes she had to make while maintaining a long-distance relationship. I liked reading about her backstory and the various people she encountered with Woodrow by her side. Even the supporting characters like Kym, Jacquelene, and Devin were memorable. One of my favorite moments was when they all celebrated Woodrow’s fifteenth birthday.

The book is also informative in how the author adds various tidbits like measuring the quality of life through the life scale calculator. As I don’t have a pet, I found this informative. I also adored the various pictures the author inserted, like Woodrow at the Taj. Please also keep tissues ready for the last few chapters because you will get teary-eyed.

Overall, “Woodrow on the Bench” is a memorable memoir worth reading.