The Book of Barkley: Love and Life Through the Eyes of a Labrador Retriever, by L.B. Johnson, is a memoir that tells the tale of her experiences raising a puppy and letting it become her companion and protector. The story Mrs. Johnson tells is at different times funny, introspective, and sad. From the adventures of teaching a labrador puppy manners and housebreaking him, to the final trip to the vet that all pet owners dread, but know will happen someday, this book gives us a window in to the love and trust between a woman and her best friend.
Mrs. Johnson is an outstanding writer, and the amount of thought that went into this work really shows. When she describes a scene, such as when Barkley chases a miscreant away from her yard, I could see it playing out in my mind’s eye. Her descriptions of environments and people are excellent, and her writing evokes emotions on every page. To be honest, I laughed out loud at a lot of this book, and I shed tears at times. I can’t say that about most things I read.
However, while this book was not difficult to read, it is not a fast read. Cover to cover, it took me two weeks to finish it. This was due to a need to set it down and give myself time to ruminate over the chapter or two that I had just finished. Like I said, the author is a master at setting a scene and transporting you to a time and place she wants to describe. After doing that for a while, I needed to think about what she was trying to say and the message she was trying to convey.
One of the best things I can say about any book is that I plan to read it again and that I plan on giving it to my children to read. The Book of Barkley has found a permanent home on my bookshelf, and once Girlie Bear and her brothers have found a space in their school reading lists, they are going to be encouraged to experience Mrs. Johnson’s story.
In other words, this is a book in which I think everyone will find something that will touch them. If you’ve ever had that special pet that was your constant companion, you will connect with this story, and I heartily recommend it.
