Alison Pace (1) (1978–)

Even though I'm already a fan of Alison Pace's novels (favorite being CITY DOG), I didn't think I was going to pick up this book. I'm more cat person than dog person (though I did adore the Shih Tzu I had shortly!). A chunk of spare time and a dead battery in my e-reader led me to a bookstore, and I took a chance. I wasn't disappointed. It's a quick read and encompasses so much more than a history of the dogs the author has known, or cute stories about her current canine, Carlie. It was part show more biography of a New Yorker and part journey of a woman getting to know herself. It's self-reflective in the best way because it made me self-reflective too. I loved it! show less

Dog people are dog people even when they don't currently have a dog in their lives. They are the dogless people you see crouched down scratching furry bellies and looking up chatting with the dog's owner on the sidewalk. They are the ones who melt when they see canine cuteness. They are the ones talking to strange dogs in highly pitched baby voices asking a dog not even their own, "Who's a good girl? Who?" For a long time, Alison Pace was one of these people. And then she found the love of show more her life, Carlie, a fluffy West Highland white terrier. Her pet memoir You Tell Your Dog First is both a memoir of her own life amongst dogs and a paean to life with her beloved Carlie.

Told in short chapter essays, Pace shares her history with dogs, from her childhood filled with a parade of much loved canines of almost every stripe and breed to her adult, dogless life in New York City and finally to the life she builds once Carlie comes into it. The love that Pace has for all the dogs of her life is clearly palpable here as she recounts trusting dogs to know when someone is a friend or isn't good boyfriend material. When she realizes how much she wants a dog in her life, she sets out to remake her life so that she can realize her dream, searching for pet friendly apartments (no easy feat in the city), researching breeds and temperaments, and preparing to welcome a wriggly, tale-wagging, cold black-nosed, furry dog into her life.

Alison Pace has written a charming memoir and clearly she and Carlie make a happy pack. The tone of the book is chatty and friendly and most dog owners will find things in Pace's life that resonate. She is sometimes a bit over the top in her love for Carlie but she recognizes her excesses and writes of them with what one must imagine to be a wry grin at herself. Pace has certainly captured the joys of living with dogs and the many varied ways in which we dog owners bask in unconditional love that comes from our pooches. She also tells beautifully of the way Carlie connected her to the world, made it less impersonal for her, allowed her to drop her guard just a little bit and meet some of the wonderful people she might otherwise have walked on past. Because of Carlie, she knows the neighbors in her apartment building and meets folks in the park. And not only is she more connected to people, but she has a loving and perfect confidant who keeps all her secrets in her fluffy, white terrier. Dog lovers of all sorts will enjoy this light and pleasant read. show less

In a world of cat people and dog people, Alison Pace is firmly in the dog camp.

Well, actually . . . that’s sort of underselling it. Pace, author of novels like Pug Hill and A Pug's Tale, is a serious dog person. In You Tell Your Dog First, a serious of canine-related essays, Pace recounts her fur-filled childhood, creation of a life in New York City, writing career and -- eventually, quite happily -- the adoption her own West Highland White Terrier, Carlie. It’s heartwarming non-fiction show more with chew toys, cute guys and dogs roaming free in Central Park.

I’ll be the first to admit I’m also in the dog camp. I grew up with dogs, love dogs, get excited at the prospect of visiting a friend with a dog. When others coo over adorable babies, I’m reaching for the squirmy mutt at their feet. If my boyfriend had a dollar for every time I squealed, “Oh my God, look at that dog,” he could retire quite happily, get a bunch of cats and leave my dog-hair-covered self in the dust.

So for someone like me? Someone who, as Pace’s title suggests, tells her dog the big news first? I was all about Pace’s funny, cute look at life with canines. I loved her descriptions of growing up with a literal pack at the homestead and could relate to her feelings of being a dog person without a dog. Living in New York City, Pace’s options regarding pet-friendly rental buildings are complicated. And when Carlie, a former show dog, comes into her life? Well, Pace will move mountains to find a good living situation for them both.

If you’re not nutso for pets, I can see readers rolling their eyes at some of the antics -- but the charming thing about Pace is that she never takes herself too seriously. Aware that some of her behavior could be seen as excessive, she often pokes fun at herself and reminds Carlie that she knows “Mommy is acting crazy.” It’s funny, and I understand. I’m not above dog-talk myself. I mean, my dog has a theme song.

You Tell Your Dog First is a quick read with insights as to how four-legged friends make our lives all the richer, and I really enjoyed Pace’s musings on the unconditional love and companionship of dogs like Carlie. If this book sounds like it’s up your alley, it probably is. A fun, light and heartwarming read -- would make a great gift for dog lovers, too. show less

(Full Disclosure: I received an ARC of this mystery via Goodreads First Reads. Now for the review.)
Alison Pace has created a warm and very clever mystery. Her main characters, Hope McNeill (a young everywoman-in-the-city), is someone we can not only identify with, but recognize in ourselves or others and she's engaging to boot.

In describing the deeds and quirky actions of Max (the pug), Ms. Pace deftly and humorously points out how much of an extension our pets are of ourselves. Dog owners show more (& cat owners for that matter) will appreciate the care that she gives in illustrating what life is like with all of the snorts and snuffles that come with a pug.

I don’t want to give away any of the plot because it’s intelligent and a fun read. I can’t wait to see what Hope (and Max) get into next. show less