Reading the story of Olive and Mabel was a joy. The author, Scottish sports broadcaster Andrew Cotter, managed to strike the perfect balance of heartwarming stories and humour.
His dogs, two labradors called Olive and Mabel, became international celebrities on social networks during COVID lockdowns when their videos reached more than 40 million views. The author’s beautifully written book covers much of their online success behind the scenes, their day-to-day lives, and how he came to own the celebrity labs. He tells funny tales of being a dog owner that will be relatable to all other dog owners.
He also explores other points, like the experience of bringing a second dog home after already owning one for a few years and the difference in their personalities.
You will be taken along to the dog-friendly places he visited with the pair and read about his dogs’ reactions when he returns home after long work trips.
He writes about most things dog owners experience – dog walkers and dog hotels, irrational dog fears, the state of his house cleanness after owning two labs, and more, much more. And my favourite, for obvious reasons, is his many accounts of mountain hikes together with his pooches.
I especially loved how his tales seamlessly go from a human dialogue to a jokey, fictitious conversation between him and his dogs.
Olive, Mabel & Me: Life and Adventures with Two Very Good Dogs is a great book with delightful storytelling that will definitely make you laugh and sometimes may make you cry. You can clearly feel the author’s care and love for his animals. He is someone who thinks about and ensures his dogs’ safety and welfare.
Any dog lover will appreciate the read or listen. You will have a great time with the author’s story and still learn a thing or two about how to read your dog’s signs. A few things resonated with me and I will look to apply them to my life with Gambá and Pequi.
And if you are going for the audiobook, Cotter is an excellent narrator and storyteller. He is a professional sports broadcaster, after all.
Are you thinking about reading or listening to it? Or have you already read it? Leave a comment below, and let’s chat about it 🙂
Cheers,
Ademar
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