Mommy’s Boy
Jennifer Huston Schaeffer
White Dog Books (2025)
ISBN: 979-8992201215
Reviewed by Dawn Colclasure for Reader Views (11/2025)
It’s not very often that a dog comes into your life and changes your entire world. That’s exactly what happens in the book Mommy’s Boy: How My Doggie Soulmate’s Love Rescued Me by Jennifer Huston Schaeffer. Part dog lover book and part memoir, this book is a must-read for anyone who loves dogs, because there are plenty of dogs in it! The star of the show, however, is Benny, a Westie-bichon mix whom Jennifer adopts after she has decided to take a break from dating men and give her heart to a dog instead. It’s a good thing, too, because she eventually becomes the dog mom to this lovable dog that had previously spent life on the streets. Filled with many animal antics, the growing pains of having a dog in the home, and cute stories of how Benny interacts with other dogs, this book will charm the reader and delight the heart of any animal lover.
It was hard to read about the author’s trials in trying to adopt a dog. She kept being turned down because the dog had separation anxiety, and, because she worked outside of the home during the day, the powers that be would decline her application. This is in spite of the author doing tons of research on how to help a dog with separation anxiety, reaching out to a coach for help, and lining up classes for her and the dog to take. She makes quite the case on how separation anxiety should not be the reason her application to adopt a dog is denied, and I was impressed by how well she tried to state her case that this should not be an issue.
Even so, I did understand how those in charge of the adoption process would feel hesitation over allowing a dog with separation anxiety to go to such a home. This part of the book really shone a light on how this can be such a huge barrier to people who are trying to adopt a dog, or even a cat, who may have separation anxiety. This part of the book also provided good information on solutions for people with dogs who have separation anxiety. All the resources the author mentions are good options for people to look into.
There are so many entertaining stories with Benny in this book that it was hard to stop reading it! From Benny’s outtakes on his walks to how he went macho against big dogs at a dog park, these stories were humorous, surprising, and fun to read. I thought it was fantastic how the author was able to connect with other dog lovers in her neighborhood. Benny soon becomes a hit in her area and is known not only to her neighbors but also to their dogs!
The chapter about Benny’s experience with a drug that the vet seemingly pressured the author into allowing her to give to her dog was unnerving. I think she should have been allowed a longer time to think about whether or not to give her permission, allowing her the time needed to do in-depth research on this unfamiliar drug. When she was able to, after the injection had been given, I was upset by her findings right along with her! It’s terrible how some vets are more interested in pushing drugs onto animals instead of prioritizing an animal’s health (and I had to wonder if this vet had done any research of her own on this particular drug before agreeing to give it to the animals in her care). I’m glad that the author decided to get another vet after this experience!
Benny does endure many medical conditions, but, in spite of all of them, he retains a strong bond with his mommy and is also there for her during times of struggle and loss. He does experience sadness when separated from her, but he is always so loving and affectionate every time she’s with him. Both of them end up enduring some difficult experiences in their lives, but as long as they have each other to hold on to, they are able to get through them.
But after she gets married and they go through more medical emergencies with Benny, she finds that she has her husband to turn to, as well. I was deeply touched by just how much unconditional love the author’s husband showed towards Benny. There was no jealousy, anger, resentment, or blame in any way from him. He loved Benny just as much as the author did, and that love made the three of them stronger than ever.
I was in tears by the end of this book about such a remarkable dog, and I was happy they showed so much love and devotion to Benny in his lifetime. Dogs are with us for only so much time. Their lives are shorter than those of humans. We never know when our time with them will be at an end, so giving them all the love, care, devotion, and cuddles while they are alive, just as this author did, can make the short time we have with them worth going through.
Mommy’s Boy is a heartwarming and sweet memoir about how one dog changed the life of one very important soul. The universe brought the two of them together, as their paths were meant to cross, and they shared all the love in their big hearts in the time they had together. This book will appeal to dog lovers as well as readers who enjoy stories about dogs or being a dog parent. Benny touched the lives of so many people, and his story will live on as it will touch the lives of people who read this book.