Customer Reviews:
 How we relate to dogs and other friends April 11, 2006
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
This book is for anyone who wants to consider reasons why they love what they love.
The author's independent view gives the type of different perspective many of us read books for. If she was only super smart, & told us primarily things we already knew, that would probably not be worth reading. Ms. Knapp is so much more.
I admire Ms. Knapp's intellect, uncommon perspective, & incredible focus on a particular subject matter. Anyone who reads this book is going to understand more about why certain people go to such amazing lengths, and spend so much time, money, and energy on their dogs. Her writing style is great. Her lack of repitition in her vocabulary, sentence structure, and thought presentation is remarkable. This book is not just about dogs. It is an interesting read for people who want to understand the thought processes of people who: 1) love dogs, or 2) are neurotic, or 3) have human relationship commitment issues, or 4) struggle with their human family.
Ms. Knapp's focus & examination of the ideas and perceptions that can lead to the creation of strong bonds with dogs is fascinating. She gives the reader a greater appreciation, like a wine expert might teach someone more to appreciate about wine.
Ms. Knapp loved dogs for their tolerance, faithfulness, lack of artificial baggage, and accepting accomodation. She found qualities in her dog that she did not perceive in the humans she encountered.
She asserts that relationships with dogs are occasionally a substitute for other things; but more often, they are beautiful on their own merits and do not find value by being a substitute for something else.
Dogs can't use words. They are beautiful because they must learn to listen and communicate to the people around them largely based on non-verbal cues.
Very sadly, Ms. Knapp died at too young of an age. If she were alive, I'd write her a letter of gratitude and ask her many questions.
 A distinctive view on dog-"owner" relationships December 22, 2005
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
On beginning my reading of this book, I viewed it as about the dog-"owner" relationship from a "woman's" perspective. As I proceeded through it, I came to see that it had a lot to say to me (male of my species). Perhaps only a woman would be willing to write about the relationship in the the late Ms. Knapp did. What she writes about is particularly important to all of those for whom a dog seems to be a little more important to their emotional lives than they expected before getting one. I have read very few good books about dogs as pets. This one is both good and somewhat distinctive.
At our local dog park, I have seen many good and bad dog-"owner" relationships and found that Ms. Knapp offered insights on almost all of them. Most importantly I found she gave me insights into the relationships that my soon-to-be former wife and I have with our three (!!!) poodles and thereby insight into our troubled relationship as well.
LOVED IT!!!! September 19, 2005
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
Loved it loved it, loved it!!!!! Every dog owner should read this book. It will make you laugh & cry, & you will see yourself & your struggles & triumphs with YOUR four-legged friend on nearly every page!
ultimately a love story July 12, 2005
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
Knapp basically writes love stories (she's known for Drinking: A Love Story, which is a memoir about her love for alcohol and battle with alcoholism), and Pack of Two is basically a love story about a woman and her dog. It's a sweet, touching memoir. I was expecting something a little more scientific, something that would make me understand the mind of a dog better, and though this is a memoir of a writer's experience with her dog, I think that I understand my dog better for reading this book. I think this book is a must for any dog lovers.
One book I'll be reading over again. November 1, 2004
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
In this book, Caroline Knapp writes about her relationship with her dog Lucille, as well as relationships between people and their dogs in this day and age. She had been through a lot in her life--breakups, losing her parents, alcoholism-- until one morning she woke and decided she was going to get a dog. She found Lucille at a shelter and her life was changed. Lucille brought her happiness, and caused her to examine the special relationship between people and their dogs. If you are a dog lover, you will be able to relate to her insights and won't want to put the book down.
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