The Best Dog in the World by Alice Hoffman: ARC Review
This was the last book I finished in 2025, a year that was a tough one, a year that I wouldn’t have gotten through if it weren’t for my parents, my sister, and of course my dog. This compilation of stories helped me with the gratitude I feel for my Black Lab and his love which was imperative to me getting through this one.
The magic of dogs is that I believe that all the dogs in this book, and my Lab Sebastian are all the best dog in the world, even the dogs that aren’t really “good”, including Jodi’s Picoult’s Alvin who prompted her to write: “The truth is that we love our dogs not just for who they are, but sometimes in spite of it.” This compilation isn’t a competition of what dog is best, but it is love letters to why these dogs impacted the author’s lives
These relatable stories had me in laughter and tears as I got to hear about different memories these authors have with their lovable companions. We hear from dedicated dog lovers who already knew the power of a 4-legged companion, to first time dog owners who weren’t yet aware of what they were getting themselves into. Unfortunately, some of the dogs die, we know that the rest will eventually, but we know that’s okay because these stories are focused on the reminder of the good moments. Amy Tan writes: “We discovered eventually that Frankie was not entirely perfect. A perfect dog would never grow old and die. He would forever be a puppy.” And Emily Henry echoes that: “The thing this depressing essay has in common with all of my romantic comedies and everything else I’ve ever written: We are so fucking lucky to get to love someone so much that it tears a hole in the world when they’re gone. The dog dies at the end. The dog dies at the end and it breaks your heart, and you wouldn’t change anything. Not one moment.”
It was Nick Trout’s story about Maverick, a dog he treated as a vet that struck me on the eve of the New Year as I reflected on surviving a tough year with the help my most loyal companion as he wrote, “Sometimes their acceptance and lack of judgment feels like the biggest lesson of all: If you give your best, it’s okay to be flawed.”
The Best Dog in the World is a fantastic read for dog lovers especially, but for anyone. There is sadness yes, but without that sadness we wouldn’t get the joy of our most beloved loyal companions.