For fans of Marley & Me and Must Love Dogs , Mommy’s Boy is a heartwarming memoir that will paw at your heart, leaving you smiling through tears and hugging your fur baby a little bit tighter. LOVE WAS WAITING AT THE SHELTER, NOT ON MATCH.COM Jennifer has always dreamed of getting married and having children, but after dealing with men who can’t commit, she shifts her focus from meeting the man of her dreams to finding her four-legged soulmate. When Jennifer meets Benny, she knows instantly that he’s “the one.” He wiggles his way into her heart and takes up permanent residence. Despite his angelic face and calm demeanor, Benny harbors a mischievous side. He steals any food that isn’t nailed down, nearly breaks his neck chasing squirrels, and suffers from chronic allergies, separation anxiety, and a Napoleon complex. He also eases Jennifer’s “baby fever,” becomes the spokesdog of her business, and is her constant companion as they face life-altering changes and challenges. But when Benny faces a life-threatening illness, Jennifer must come to terms with the reality that our time with our fur babies is limited. Told with loving affection and raw emotion, Mommy’s Boy is the true story of two lost souls who find the unconditional love, companionship, and emotional support they need, in the process forging a profound bond as deep as a mother and her child. It’s a tender and heartfelt tribute to a special little guy who was more than “just a dog,” he was family. Mommy's Boy is one of the most moving stories I have ever read; it beautifully captures the bond between a pet and their owner. The story contains humorous moments that balance the more emotional themes; it will make you smile and cry at the same time. Mommy's Boy is a heartfelt story about unconditional love, the importance of celebrating life, and the special relationships we build with our pets. —Luwi Nyakansaila, Readers' Favorite Through the ups and downs of heartbreak, personal struggles, and self-discovery, Schaeffer delivers a moving narrative that dog lovers and anyone who's ever found comfort in an animal's presence will deeply relate to. Mommy's Boy is an absolute must-read for dog lovers. It's for anyone who's ever rebuilt themselves after heartbreak, found love in unexpected places, or realized that sometimes, the best relationships aren't the ones we're conditioned to chase. It's a book that makes you laugh, cry, and hug your dog a little tighter. If you've ever known the kind of love that only a dog can give, this book will feel like home. —Literary Titan Mommy's Boy is a tribute to that special bond between humans and dogs. [This] tender, compassionate memoir is written like a novel, complete with engaging dialogue and descriptive narrative passages that vividly set the stage for the story. The photographs at the end of the book really capture this lovable little bundle of energy. Mommy's Boy is a great read for dog lovers; tender and heart-wrenching, readers will both laugh and cry as the story progresses. I loved it! —Emily-Jane Hills Orford, Readers' Favorite Fueled by themes of love, trauma, and grief, Schaeffer's memoir reflects on her life with Benny. Whether Schaeffer's recalling Benny's special "Benny Boogie" dance of welcome or mourning the loss of her "source of comfort during tough times," this hits home. Loving tribute to the bond between pets and their owners. —BookLife Jennifer Huston Schaeffer's memoir Mommy's Boy: How My Doggie Soulmate's Love Rescued Me is a poignant exploration of the transformative power of human-animal bonds. It offers comfort to grieving pet owners while examining broader themes of love, identity, and chosen family with emotional honesty and vivid detail . Schaeffer's voice throughout is open, vulnerable, and disarmingly honest. She beautifully captures her instant, life-altering connection with Benny, who is not just a pet but a constant companion and source of emotional support. Mommy's Boy is a poignant love letter to a dog who was much more than "just a dog." Schaeffer reminds readers that sometimes the deepest connections come on four paws. For anyone who has ever had their heart stolen by an animal, this book will speak directly to the soul and leave a gentle reminder, as Jennifer so beautifully puts it, that "Losing Benny has made me keenly aware of how precious life is—and it's even more so for our beloved pets." —Edward Sung for IndieReader At forty-one, Jennifer is shy, anxious, and frustrated with her dating life. After one too many broken hearts, she shifts her focus from meeting the man of her dreams to finding her four-legged soulmate. Left to fend for himself on the streets of Chicagoland, a sickly, scruffy dog gains a second chance at life when a rescue group scoops him up and nurses him back to health. When the little dog gazes into Jen's eyes on the day their worlds collide, she immediately knows he's "the one." After she brings home the wr