Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook version of this book. I really enjoyed listening to this book. I really loved how the author narrated this book so you as the listener could feel what he was conveying through his tone and emotion. I think that it is great he was able to have such an amazing connection with Shirelle. I would absolutely recommend this book.

Thank you Netgalley, the author, and publisher for the opportunity. Always a sucker for a dog book, that you get caught up in the cute, laughable moments and sometimes miss the lesson. The story is about a rescue dog named Shirelle aka Knucklehead. Shirelle's story is magical and mystical as each dog's story is with the quirks and love that they give to the owners. We can learn so much for our canine companions, and this book shows us the truth of this statement. If you enjoy books about People's Best Friend pick this one up and enjoy.

So I just listened to The Teachings of Shirelle by Douglas Green.
I have never owned a dog. I am into people, not pets. Still, after reading this book I can say that the right dog can be just what you need to fill your life with love and make it full. Highly recommend it especially to those who, like myself, want to understand dog lovers.
It's a very heartwarming story of a relationship that affected not only one man and his dog, but also a large group of people who ever met Shirelle.
Shirelle's philosophy sounds silly, but sometimes using a dog is the best way to convey some useful concepts or meditations.

When it comes to the audiobook, it's interesting to have some audio special effects included. The gong sound is a nice touch, I just wish it was not as loud.

I love memoirs about dogs, that's what drew me to this read in the first place, I tend to be something of a sucker for them and for the most part I wasn't disappointed.

I enjoyed this read, at times it even had me sniffling and wiping away a stray tear or two.
The author did a good job of narrating and I really enjoyed his poems. Here is a person who knows what it is to call a pet family, to understand that they're so much more than 'just a dog'. Anyone who's ever felt this with a pet will immediately feel seen and relate to this book. Over all it's a heartfelt, emotional tale and it's left me feeling a little more curious and open and minded but for the most part I'm just here for the dog love and it's got that in spades.

While I didn't always agree with Green, and there are things he does that my own life time with dogs caused me to shudder at, I appericated how open and honest he was in sharing his mistakes and the way he learned from them. I think my single biggest take away will be his comment about acknowledging a loved one's voice though I could tweak his ear for rubbing his dog's nose in her urine, but as I said, he lived and learned.

I have two main critiques and they both relate to how this book translates into an audio format.
I'd have loved to see the pictures, a downloadable attachment, like fantasy books have with their maps would have been nice in that regard.
Also, I didn't like the chime in between essays, actually I hated them. They were startling and horrible to listen to. I understand that given the format of this book something was needed to indicate where one piece ended and another began but that chime, as an audible experience, was awful, I couldn't stand it. The two little pieces of 'stage play' format didn't translate to audio particularly well either. Additional sounds or narrators would have helped there but they're not terrible.

If you have the opportunity to read or listen to this book, do it. If you’re a pet person, you’ll love every second of it, even though there will absolutely be some tears. If you aren’t, you will be when you’re finished. There is something that the reciprocal unconditional love of a dog (or your species of brings to us. This is about life, trying to figure out all out, good times and bad all with and through the love of a really good dog. And they’re all good dogs! Douglas takes us through his journey with Shirelle, the “bestest” girl. How his life was shaped with her from the beginning of their relationship and for the rest of her life and beyond. I thought about the two dogs I have spent years with and are gone and their impact on me and those who knew them and now with my newest rescue I look forward to every adventure with her. What they give us, bring to our lives is incalculable. We are everything to them, and they to us. Shirelle was his dog, but most of us have been down a very similar road and fallen head over heels and been forever impacted by the loving fur balls that come into our lives. Yes, so clearly I am a dog parent who would go to the end of the world for mine. My dog is my Shirelle. I wish for everyone to have the experience. It is life changing in the most incredible ways. And loving a dog doesn’t mean being a dog parent. There is fostering, making pals with a neighborhood pup, walking dogs at a shelter, donating time or treats and more. The friendships you’ll make, the empty space in your heart will be filled and life will just be better with them in it. This book exemplifies why even when we willingly go in knowing we will outlive them. They are gone, but the love stays with us forever. There is nothing better.