Woodrow on the Bench: Life Lessons from a Wise Old Dog
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- Create Date：2021-10-27 05:21:33
- Update Date：2025-09-07
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- Author：Jenna Blum
- ISBN：006311318X
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Summary
"Woodrow on the Bench is a touching tribute as well as a gripping story that will make you laugh and cry。 It will also make you understand the majesty and wisdom imparted by the animals we are lucky to keep by our sides for as long as we can。”—New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Berg
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。
“For anyone who’s ever loved an old dog。”
Since she adopted him as a puppy fifteen years earlier， Jenna Blum and Woodrow have been inseparable。 Known to many as “the George Clooney of dogs” for his good looks and charm， Woodrow and his “Mommoo” are fixtures in their Boston neighborhood。
But Woodrow is aging。 As he begins to fail， the true nature of his extraordinary relationship with Jenna is revealed。 Jenna may be the dog parent， but it is Woodrow， with his amazing personality and trusting nature， who has much to teach her。 A divorcée who has experienced her share of sadness and loss， Jenna discovers， over the months she spends caring for her ailing dog， what it is to be present in the moment， and what it truly means to love。
Aided by an amazing group of friends and buoyed by the support of strangers， Jenna and Woodrow navigate these precious final days together with kindness， humor， and grace。 Their unforgettable love story will reaffirm your belief in kindness， break your heart， and leave your spirit soaring。
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。
“For anyone who’s ever loved an old dog。”
Since she adopted him as a puppy fifteen years earlier， Jenna Blum and Woodrow have been inseparable。 Known to many as “the George Clooney of dogs” for his good looks and charm， Woodrow and his “Mommoo” are fixtures in their Boston neighborhood。
But Woodrow is aging。 As he begins to fail， the true nature of his extraordinary relationship with Jenna is revealed。 Jenna may be the dog parent， but it is Woodrow， with his amazing personality and trusting nature， who has much to teach her。 A divorcée who has experienced her share of sadness and loss， Jenna discovers， over the months she spends caring for her ailing dog， what it is to be present in the moment， and what it truly means to love。
Aided by an amazing group of friends and buoyed by the support of strangers， Jenna and Woodrow navigate these precious final days together with kindness， humor， and grace。 Their unforgettable love story will reaffirm your belief in kindness， break your heart， and leave your spirit soaring。
Reviews
Ashley Trevillyan
，
Woodrow on the Bench was a The Book Nerd club favorite。 Each member of our club has a furry friend they are just as obsessed over as Jenna was over Woodrow。 The Book Nerd Reviews:“I laughed when I read Jenna’s Woodrow conversations because I could relate to the humorous voice and ridiculous conversations between herself and her dog。 I too do the same， assigning each of my pups a unique voice and to match their personalities。 The heartache of loosing a best fur friend is what makes this book so r Woodrow on the Bench was a The Book Nerd club favorite。 Each member of our club has a furry friend they are just as obsessed over as Jenna was over Woodrow。 The Book Nerd Reviews:“I laughed when I read Jenna’s Woodrow conversations because I could relate to the humorous voice and ridiculous conversations between herself and her dog。 I too do the same， assigning each of my pups a unique voice and to match their personalities。 The heartache of loosing a best fur friend is what makes this book so relatable。” - Ashley“I read it as my old lab was declining in health。 I saw some of the same ailments as Woodrow with my Buddy。 It made it a little difficult to read because I wasn’t ready for my dog to pass。 I loved the community interaction with Woodrow。 The birthday party at his favorite spot was very special。” - Linda“I loved the part about Woodrows Instagram followers。 I have an English bulldog named Aurora with health problems。 We made an Instagram page in the voice of Aurora to raise funds for her ongoing health needs。 The sense of community amongst dog owners will never cease to amaze me！” - Ashlee“I have been through the agonizing pain of having to let go of a dog I loved so much。 Reading Woodrow on the Bench drug up many of those painful memories but alongside all that pain was an admirable optimism。 I loved how Jenna woke every day to feeling grateful for the time she had with Woodrow。 I found the book to be very human。 Filled with could have， would， haves but also filled with graceful forgiveness and gratitude。” - Alecia“I loved the last trip to the beach with Woodrow。 It amazes me how forgiving and easily pleased our dogs can be。 It makes loosing them all the more hard。” - Kathy 。。。more
Jamie
，
I read this book almost 24 hours after my dog passed away。 Probably not the smartest idea， but it touched my heart & soul in a way I definitely needed。 This book chronicles Woodrow during the last six months of his life。 The joy he brings to Jenna and others around him proves the impact dogs are in our lives。 They are so much more than dogs， they become their own little human， our piece of heaven on earth。 I hope Woodrow and my Ranger are sitting on a bench together having the best time
wellreadtraveler
，
To say this book broke my heart in two would be an understatement。 Like ugly cried。 Every animal mom will be moved to tears but in the best way。 Author Jenna Blum has written the most beautiful dedication to her best friend Woodrow， the handsome and bacon loving black lab。 I grew up my whole life with labs as pets so I know what big lumps of mushy love muffins they are。 Jenna tells the story of how she became a dog mom and how Woodrow changed her life and the lives of those who knew him。 I know To say this book broke my heart in two would be an understatement。 Like ugly cried。 Every animal mom will be moved to tears but in the best way。 Author Jenna Blum has written the most beautiful dedication to her best friend Woodrow， the handsome and bacon loving black lab。 I grew up my whole life with labs as pets so I know what big lumps of mushy love muffins they are。 Jenna tells the story of how she became a dog mom and how Woodrow changed her life and the lives of those who knew him。 I know many people don’t like to read “sad” books but Woodrow on the Bench is so much more。 Honestly when I was reading it I was thinking most humans don’t get such a beautiful dedication！ “Every birth brings its death with it; no one can escape it”Thank you Jenna for sharing Woodrow with us。 What a privilege to read your love story dedicated to your fur baby who lived a long happy life。 。。。more
Nancy Baker
，
I'm a dog owner and a dog lover。 I've had more "Woodrows" in my life than I care to mention， but I always keep coming back for more。 I have been married for nearly 46 years and we have had more dogs than I have fingers。 Each was special in their own right and each holds an honored place in my heart。 We had "Herman the German"， a miniature dachshund who had a disc rupture in his back at age 4 that left him paralyzed for the last 9 years of his life and required manual manipulation to help him uri I'm a dog owner and a dog lover。 I've had more "Woodrows" in my life than I care to mention， but I always keep coming back for more。 I have been married for nearly 46 years and we have had more dogs than I have fingers。 Each was special in their own right and each holds an honored place in my heart。 We had "Herman the German"， a miniature dachshund who had a disc rupture in his back at age 4 that left him paralyzed for the last 9 years of his life and required manual manipulation to help him urinate and deficate。 He was followed by Little Bit， a registered Boston Terrier given to us by a neighbor who didn't want her anymore。 She was an epileptic requiring constant medication and whose seizures left her with brain damage。 Then there was Dirl （not a boy， but a dirl） a stray that landed in our front yard and took up homestead。 Then Brandy arrived who followed our daughter home from school - guess she could smell that her family liked dogs。 Dirl was a fence jumper and Brandy was a follower。 After nailing the last picket on a 6' privacy fence， we discovered， heights were no obstacle for Dirl。 Orville came to us as a puppy （from a litter at the house of one of our daughter's friends）。 He was black and beautiful， but grew a strong jealousy to our new infant son。 A utility worker left the gate open and Orville was never found -- and we looked for months。 Then Harry happened upon our house and he instantly fell in love with playing with our son and watching He-Man and Ninja Turtles be thrown around on the fireplace hearth。 Our only "purchased" dog was a registered Cocker Spaniel， Riff Raff Ralph。 We actually purchased him as a companion for Harry。 Harry developed a huge tumor in his chest that attached itself to his heart and he was gone shortly after。 In came "Alice"， a stray dachshund/chihuahua mix that our son found sitting in the middle of the road。 Alice and Ralph "The Cramdens" as we referred to them， enjoyed many years together， until Alice developed what at first appeared to be total blindness。 It was later （$3，000 later） discovered that she had an infection in her spinal fluid which required enormous doses of steroids to clear up but also added about 30 pounds to a very tiny body。 Alice had trouble getting around and Ralph developed cataracts， deafness， arthritis and prostate problems。 My mother-in-law passed from ALS and we acquired her "stray" dog， Sammie。 Sammie had been a gift to her neighbor years ago who had early Alzheimers。 The problem was she couldn't remember she had a dog。 For years my mother-in-law fed and watered Sammie over the fence and eventually just took her home。 So we found ourselves with 3 dogs in our house， ages 16-1/2， 17 and 18） and in the course of 12 months， we lost all 3。 Sammie was the last to go at over 110 pounds and 18 years on this earth。 I swore we would never have another dog as I couldn't go through that feeling of loss anymore， but my first day home from work， I realized it was the first time in over 40 years I had walked into our house without finding a single dog。 With the exception of one， Ralph， all of our dogs have been rescued from a life on the streets or a life of neglect。 In reality， we didn't rescue them - they rescued US。 Each and every one gave us purpose， someone to nurture， some to give us unconditional love， someone excited to hear our voice and see our face。 Each were content to sit at your feet， on your lap or atop your bed and just enjoy breathing in unison。 We knew after just one day in an empty house， that even though no matter of time or prayer could ever erase those gone from our mind， that in their hearts they would want us to find another fur baby to "rescue us"。 A week later we were the proud owners of two shelter dogs （one a year old and one only 12 weeks）。 Virgil and Wyatt have been with us nearly 3 years and weigh 65 and 107 pounds， respectively。 My husband and I， at age 64 and 73， respectively， find them exhausting some days but could not imagine life without them。I read Woodrow on the Bench， knowing exactly what the story was and how it would play out。 I just wanted to see if others found their life as exalted and fulfilling as we do with the dogs that have graced our lives。 I wish I had known Woodrow; it sounds like he had an amazing impact on so many lives。 But in reality， I've had many Woodrow's in my life。 As I look back fondly on all my furry buddies， I hope they knew how much they were loved。 I hope I brought joy， happiness and meaning to their lives。 In all that I was able to give each in their short time here on earth， it was nothing in comparison to the enrichment and love they gave to me。 Like Woodrow， there is much we could all learn from any "wise old dog"。 1） play hard and rest hard; 2） smile when you can， wag your tail if you can't; 3） don't hold grudges - just love those who love you; 3） never miss an opportunity to spend quiet time with those quiet your fears and show love without words; and 4） all dogs go to heaven - so live your life well so that we can all be together again。 。。。more
Debbie Rozier
，
At not quite 200 pages， this book will take you about an hour to read and about 3 boxes of Kleenex to get through。I read this book on my back porch with my 10 year old cat on my lap who is getting ready to be on her 3rd round of antibiotics in a month for a bacterial infection the vet can’t still find。 I was hand feeding her deli ham to make sure she is still eating and sobbing profusely while reading this book about a wonderful dog mom and her precious black lab， Woodrow。 This book is a tribute At not quite 200 pages， this book will take you about an hour to read and about 3 boxes of Kleenex to get through。I read this book on my back porch with my 10 year old cat on my lap who is getting ready to be on her 3rd round of antibiotics in a month for a bacterial infection the vet can’t still find。 I was hand feeding her deli ham to make sure she is still eating and sobbing profusely while reading this book about a wonderful dog mom and her precious black lab， Woodrow。 This book is a tribute to Woodrow as Jenna tells about her life with 15 year old Woodrow and all he has meant to her。Jenna focuses on the last 6 months of Woodrow’s life。 Woodrow loved nothing more than to go sit by his favorite bench and enjoy the people that stopped by to visit him。This book will make you smile through the tears and enjoy your time Woodrow。 。。。more
Kari
，
This book had me putting my Nala in Woodrow’s place while reading and I can tell you it is life affirming and will get you sentimental。 But it goes to show what things mean the most to us and where life’s most important gifts and lessons come from。 Sometimes we are so busy， we don’t take the time we need to， to enjoy the things right in front of us。
Kendall
，
Excuse me while I continue to wipe my tears off my face。。。。 oh Woodrow！！！！ Oh Jenna Blum。。。。 what a heartbreaking and beautiful memoir of the last time of his life。 Ugh。。。 this broke my heart in so many different ways。 I have always been such a dog lover but after I finished this one I cried and just hugged my dog Galiver so hard about 20 times haha。Together， Jenna and Woodrow built a special community together with the love that Woodrow brought to so many。 This is an absolute gem and Woodrow ta Excuse me while I continue to wipe my tears off my face。。。。 oh Woodrow！！！！ Oh Jenna Blum。。。。 what a heartbreaking and beautiful memoir of the last time of his life。 Ugh。。。 this broke my heart in so many different ways。 I have always been such a dog lover but after I finished this one I cried and just hugged my dog Galiver so hard about 20 times haha。Together， Jenna and Woodrow built a special community together with the love that Woodrow brought to so many。 This is an absolute gem and Woodrow taught me life lessons that I will not forget。 Jenna's voice is such perfection between humor and tugging at your heart strings。 I absolutely loved it！！ I am so honored to have been part of this blog tour and this is a forever gem that will be on my bookshelf for life。5 stars！！Thank you so much to Jenna Blum and the publisher for my copy in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more
Kristyn （basicbookmomma）
，
🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾Today is my stop on the @suzyapprovedbooktours for @jenna_blum’s new book @woodrowonthebench， releasing 10/26/21。 This book was simply amazing。 Definitely a 5 star read and one that I will reread many times。 I have the honor of knowing Jenna personally， she is a dear friend and it meant the world to get to read this story before it released。 This book gave me so many emotions， I laughed， I looked back on past memories with Jenna and Jim， and I cried （a lot）。 Jenna has a writing style that i 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾Today is my stop on the @suzyapprovedbooktours for @jenna_blum’s new book @woodrowonthebench， releasing 10/26/21。 This book was simply amazing。 Definitely a 5 star read and one that I will reread many times。 I have the honor of knowing Jenna personally， she is a dear friend and it meant the world to get to read this story before it released。 This book gave me so many emotions， I laughed， I looked back on past memories with Jenna and Jim， and I cried （a lot）。 Jenna has a writing style that is so elegant， so intentional and so personal， that you automatically feel like you are sitting talking to a friend as you read。 I sat down to read this and didn’t get up until I finished。 I wish I could put into words exactly how this book made me feel。 I was texting Jenna while blubbering my way through the book。 I hope everyone picks this book up， it has a lesson for everyone。Synopsis to follow in comments。#jennablum #woodrowonthebench #basicbookmomma #bookstagram #booksoutside #booksandboots #authorsmakethebestfriends #bookfriends #fivestarread 。。。more
Linda Zagon
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WOW！！ Jenna Blum， author of “Woodrow on the Bench” has written a captivating， emotional， memorable， compassionate， and heartfelt memoir。 This is an amazing book for anyone that has lost a pet， or in the process of taking care of an ill animal。 I wish that I had this book， many years when my beloved Tina passed away on Mother’s Day。 Tina Zagon was my first dog， and I often wonder if I waited too long to help her end her suffering。 I do know that as a piece of my heart was broken， some people woul WOW！！ Jenna Blum， author of “Woodrow on the Bench” has written a captivating， emotional， memorable， compassionate， and heartfelt memoir。 This is an amazing book for anyone that has lost a pet， or in the process of taking care of an ill animal。 I wish that I had this book， many years when my beloved Tina passed away on Mother’s Day。 Tina Zagon was my first dog， and I often wonder if I waited too long to help her end her suffering。 I do know that as a piece of my heart was broken， some people would say， “Get a grip on it Linda， it’s not a person， it’s only a dog。” That same day an article in Newsday mentioned that dogs and cats were considered part of a family， and that the people were grieving。 If I only could have pointed out the beautiful memoir that Jenna penned， that shows how much Woodrow， Jenna’s beloved dog connected people in the community that were dog lovers。Jenna would take Woodrow across the street in Boston to his favorite bench， and Woodrow was a “people magnet” As Woodrow aged， cars would slow down， so that Jenna could get him across the street。 Neighbors had special treats when he went to visit。 Woodrow seemed to charm everyone。This is a story of love， friendship， kindness， and lasting memories。 Jenna was a wonderful “dog Mom” to Woodrow， and her memoir is such a special and thought-provoking dedication。 I would highly recommend this beautifully written story。 。。。more
Catherine Elcik
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Review to come！
Suzze Tiernan
，
I now love a dog I’ve never met。
Bookish Heidi
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This beautiful book tugged on every single one of my heartstrings。 I laughed， cried and felt this book on a soul-deep level。 I fell in love with Woodrow within the first chapter。 I lost my old boy last month and reading this book was really hard。 Cathartic， but rough。 I've never cried over a book so much as I did this one。 Thank you Jenna for sharing this story 💕 This beautiful book tugged on every single one of my heartstrings。 I laughed， cried and felt this book on a soul-deep level。 I fell in love with Woodrow within the first chapter。 I lost my old boy last month and reading this book was really hard。 Cathartic， but rough。 I've never cried over a book so much as I did this one。 Thank you Jenna for sharing this story 💕 。。。more
Lynda Loigman
，
WOODROW ON THE BENCH is about the unconditional love only a beloved pet can provide。 It’s about hope and tenacity， comfort， and purpose。 Together， Woodrow and Jenna built a community - a collection of people who came together because Woodrow brought out the best in all of them。 I am so in awe of my Jenna Blum for sharing this story。 This is a book you can’t put down and a book whose lessons you won’t want to forget。
Daniel
，
A beautiful ode to a fallen friend， Woodrow on the Bench will touch anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one， pet or not。 While this sort of writing is hardly new， nor is the difficulty of a loss of a pet a revelation， Blum manages to bring something new to the table and give the reader a reason to continue。 As readers， we come to know and love Woodrow and his enjoyment of hanging out on his bench。 We also learn and recognize the value he provides to the author’s life， and the lessons A beautiful ode to a fallen friend， Woodrow on the Bench will touch anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one， pet or not。 While this sort of writing is hardly new， nor is the difficulty of a loss of a pet a revelation， Blum manages to bring something new to the table and give the reader a reason to continue。 As readers， we come to know and love Woodrow and his enjoyment of hanging out on his bench。 We also learn and recognize the value he provides to the author’s life， and the lessons that can be learned from our furry friends。 This is a must read for so many groups of people: those who love dogs， those who have lost close friends and family members， or anyone who has never had a pet and doesn’t understand why those that do feel such a deep connection to their animal companions。 。。。more
Chris
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I never met Woodrow， novelist Jenna Blum's black lab who grew to be a fixture as he aged on Boston's Commonwealth Mall， but I feel I got to know him in Blum's wise and wrenching and devastatingly beautiful memoir of his last half-year。 And I mean that: this book is both devastating and beautiful， and you will never again look into your dog's -- or any dog's -- eyes and not feel the bond that can exist between a person and their pet。 I read a lot in the bath， and I finished this remarkable book i I never met Woodrow， novelist Jenna Blum's black lab who grew to be a fixture as he aged on Boston's Commonwealth Mall， but I feel I got to know him in Blum's wise and wrenching and devastatingly beautiful memoir of his last half-year。 And I mean that: this book is both devastating and beautiful， and you will never again look into your dog's -- or any dog's -- eyes and not feel the bond that can exist between a person and their pet。 I read a lot in the bath， and I finished this remarkable book in the tub and added new meaning to the expression， "drunk in the bathtub eyes。" But I was sober。 Just inconsolable。 This book is a gem。 Read it。 You'll love it and you'll love Woodrow， and you'll glimpse the numinous: love in all its corporeal majesty。 。。。more
Stephen
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I went through some similar experiences with my 12 year old yellow Lab， Molly， before her passing in September of 2019。 This book brought back those memories and made me cry。 We love our pets，they are family。
Donna Schoening
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Don’t let having a box of tissues nearby stop you from reading this short， beautiful novel。 Jenna Blum writes about her dog， Woodrow， so honestly that the love is just pouring out the pages。 I enjoyed how Ms。 Blum focused on the last seven months of Woodrow’s life with some short chapters reliving some of his youth。 My only problem with the book is that I wouldn’t have been able to afford all the costs Ms。 Blum did for Woodrow’s surgeries， procedures & medications。 But that’s okay！ She’s a popul Don’t let having a box of tissues nearby stop you from reading this short， beautiful novel。 Jenna Blum writes about her dog， Woodrow， so honestly that the love is just pouring out the pages。 I enjoyed how Ms。 Blum focused on the last seven months of Woodrow’s life with some short chapters reliving some of his youth。 My only problem with the book is that I wouldn’t have been able to afford all the costs Ms。 Blum did for Woodrow’s surgeries， procedures & medications。 But that’s okay！ She’s a popular author。 If I had the money， I’d do about anything for my dog， too。Thank you to Goodreads & HarperCollins for this advanced copy。 。。。more
Dana Duplantis
，
A very good book about someone who was a dog lover that lives to be 14 years old。 She adopted him as a puppy。 When Jena discovers her dog is not doing well her group of friends supported her。
Diane
，
Won this on Good reads give away。What a beautiful touching story that will touch each of us。This is a tribute to the authors beloved lab dog Woodrow and how he touched her andothers around them。 The story tells of the love connection between Woodrow and his humanwho he calls mommoo。 Jenna （Mommo） tells us the story of their bonding from the time she got Woodrow as a puppy。How through the years not only has she taught him good behavior， but what Woodrow has taught her about life， bonding and what Won this on Good reads give away。What a beautiful touching story that will touch each of us。This is a tribute to the authors beloved lab dog Woodrow and how he touched her andothers around them。 The story tells of the love connection between Woodrow and his humanwho he calls mommoo。 Jenna （Mommo） tells us the story of their bonding from the time she got Woodrow as a puppy。How through the years not only has she taught him good behavior， but what Woodrow has taught her about life， bonding and what true love is。This is a very touching story of love and lost。 Sometimes you will be laugh and others you arein tears。 We all love our fur babies and it heart breaking when we loose them。 It teaches strength to go on and not give up when we see them struggling with health。 They show us love and we need to let them know we are their for them in their time of need。 。。。more
Stuart Jennings
，
When you want to read a REALLY good book。。。this is it！Jenna Blum has written an amazing story。。。coveringmany of the issues we confront in our daily lives。。。A great storyteller。。。writer she is。。。Definitely！Highly Recommended！
Julie Yashur
，
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 What a beautifully written memoir about the Jenna's （the author） life with Woodrow， her aging black Labrador。 Jenna did a wonderful job describing cute， funny and sad memories of her beloved dog。 Some of my favorite parts of the book were:"Kooks" was her nickname for WoodrowEvery night she told Woodrow that "Mommoo loves you more than anything in the uni， yes she does"The fifteenth birthday party Jenna had for Woodrow by his favorite bench。 For the party she provided six pounds of bacon and a ca What a beautifully written memoir about the Jenna's （the author） life with Woodrow， her aging black Labrador。 Jenna did a wonderful job describing cute， funny and sad memories of her beloved dog。 Some of my favorite parts of the book were:"Kooks" was her nickname for WoodrowEvery night she told Woodrow that "Mommoo loves you more than anything in the uni， yes she does"The fifteenth birthday party Jenna had for Woodrow by his favorite bench。 For the party she provided six pounds of bacon and a case of champagne for the dogs and their owners whom she invited to the big party。 。。。more
Kris Verdeck
，
Laughed and cried my way through this beautiful story of a lovable lab and devoted pup mom。 Highly recommend and relatable whether or not you are a pet owner as the book is about friendships， community， inner reflection and grief。 Blum is engaging and funny and made me want to sit and sip a cocktail with her。 If I'm ever in Boston， I will stop by Woodrow's bench to have a sit and think about those I've lost with gratitude。 Laughed and cried my way through this beautiful story of a lovable lab and devoted pup mom。 Highly recommend and relatable whether or not you are a pet owner as the book is about friendships， community， inner reflection and grief。 Blum is engaging and funny and made me want to sit and sip a cocktail with her。 If I'm ever in Boston， I will stop by Woodrow's bench to have a sit and think about those I've lost with gratitude。 。。。more
Donna McCaul Thibodeau
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I'm a fan of Jenna Blum and this is the story of Woodrow， her beloved dog。 He is diagnosed with congestive heart failure in May and she has to put him to sleep in December。 I think that anyone who has lost a beloved pet can relate as Jenna and Woodrow navigate the last months of his life。I read this book in one sitting。 It is a beautiful， heartfelt tribute to Woodrow。 Jenna and he were lucky to share their lives together。 Highly， highly recommended。Thanks to Goodreads for an advanced copy of thi I'm a fan of Jenna Blum and this is the story of Woodrow， her beloved dog。 He is diagnosed with congestive heart failure in May and she has to put him to sleep in December。 I think that anyone who has lost a beloved pet can relate as Jenna and Woodrow navigate the last months of his life。I read this book in one sitting。 It is a beautiful， heartfelt tribute to Woodrow。 Jenna and he were lucky to share their lives together。 Highly， highly recommended。Thanks to Goodreads for an advanced copy of this book。 。。。more
Linden
，
Jenna has a 14 year old black lab that she adores。 （Full disclosure: I also have a 14 year old black lab。） He's been with her through breakups and writing successes， but she knows that at 14 he's defying the odds for a larger dog， and is "basically Methuselah。" She's surprised that usually impatient Boston drivers allow her and Woodrow to cross the street safely， as she helps him with his handled harness since his back legs don't work well anymore。 Even though he has some age-related problems， h Jenna has a 14 year old black lab that she adores。 （Full disclosure: I also have a 14 year old black lab。） He's been with her through breakups and writing successes， but she knows that at 14 he's defying the odds for a larger dog， and is "basically Methuselah。" She's surprised that usually impatient Boston drivers allow her and Woodrow to cross the street safely， as she helps him with his handled harness since his back legs don't work well anymore。 Even though he has some age-related problems， he still likes sitting by his bench receiving attention from passers-by， and wouldn't say no to bacon。 Jenna Blum has written a wonderful tribute to her canine companion--I would recommend this book to any dog lover。 Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for allowing me to review this advance copy。 。。。more
Deena B
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Woodrow on the Bench by Jenna BlumWhat a beautiful way to honor a precious faithful friend！
Janine
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This story is so deeply personal and moving that it only feels right to address this review to the author。 Jenna， thank you for sharing your and Woodrow's beautiful story。 I haven't had a dog of my own since I was a little kid， but over the course of the last eleven summers， I've cared for six dogs from the same family。 I'm currently watching the last surviving pup of the original crew of four， a 14-year-old yellow lab named Moose， his enthusiastic 3-year-old labradoodle cousin， and my 1-year-ol This story is so deeply personal and moving that it only feels right to address this review to the author。 Jenna， thank you for sharing your and Woodrow's beautiful story。 I haven't had a dog of my own since I was a little kid， but over the course of the last eleven summers， I've cared for six dogs from the same family。 I'm currently watching the last surviving pup of the original crew of four， a 14-year-old yellow lab named Moose， his enthusiastic 3-year-old labradoodle cousin， and my 1-year-old "first-born" cat， Lucy。 Like Woodrow in his old age， Moose has a Help Em Up to assist with his mobility and he can't bear to be alone， voicing his concerns with 'yarks。' The other two have spent the last few days antagonizing each other while Moose chills on his bed。 Your book was just what the four of us needed to pass some time together; I decided to read entire book to them， through lots of tears， and with lots of snuggles。 It was sublime。 It is truly astonishing how entwined our pets become in our lives， as are the lessons they teach us even after they physically leave us。 From one stubborn， independent 30-something to another， I appreciate the truths and insights you shared about your personal story; you've given me plenty to think about。For anyone considering reading this book， stop reading these reviews right now and go read it - read it TO your pets （or someone else's pets）！ Snuggle up with them and take them to their favorite spot and give them so many treats。 That's all this book made me want to do。 I have never finished a giveaway book within 24 hours of receiving it。 A sincere thank you to Goodreads and the publisher for this ARC。 。。。more
Rachel
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Beautiful and heartbreaking。 I love you， Woodrow。
Good Book Fairy
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https://goodbookfairy。com/woodrow-on-。。。 https://goodbookfairy。com/woodrow-on-。。。 。。。more
Andrea
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Let me start with this disclaimer- I rarely read non-fiction and I don't have a dog （family has allergies）。 Now， let me say what a beautiful book Woodrow on the Bench is a beautiful love story。 As Jenna Blum says， "Thus began the most durable love affair of my life。" Blum's love for Woodrow shines on every page of this book。 She writes "He was my structure and my laughter， my companion and Tavel partner， my responsibility and my daily joy。"Woodrow became like Cheers- where everyone near him knew Let me start with this disclaimer- I rarely read non-fiction and I don't have a dog （family has allergies）。 Now， let me say what a beautiful book Woodrow on the Bench is a beautiful love story。 As Jenna Blum says， "Thus began the most durable love affair of my life。" Blum's love for Woodrow shines on every page of this book。 She writes "He was my structure and my laughter， my companion and Tavel partner， my responsibility and my daily joy。"Woodrow became like Cheers- where everyone near him knew his name and his bench。 Blum has written a raw and honest memoir teaching us the lessons she learned from a "Wise Old Dog"Thanks Harper for an advance copy。 。。。more
Rachel
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