The Book of Barkley: Love and Life Through the Eyes of a Labrador Retriever

by L.B. Johnson

After a Lifetime of Challenges, the Best Adventure Was Still Waiting…

L.B. Johnson knew how to get things done. She had been immersed in a world of complex puzzles, and tangled story lines of physical and governmental laws. She was quite sure she was up to the task of raising a black Labrador retriever puppy. His name was Barkley, and in being himself, he led his owner down a path of joyful discovery, loving frustration, and self-sacrifice. Their journey together will speak volumes to anyone who has ever had a beloved animal as a heart’s companion…from the gentle nuzzles that healed in moments of crisis, to the saintly patience needed to deal with a small pink ball with feet, named “Mr. Squeaky,” who interrupted many hours of sleep. It is the story of rambunctious trespasses such as “the bacon incident,” and the loving trust that bound a woman and her dog together in unspoken understanding. The Book of Barkley is a tribute and memoir that will resonate with everyone who has reached out unthinking to pet a beloved animal…only to remember that a beloved friend is no longer present. Honest, transcendent, and beautifully written, The Book of Barkley is a love story that will enrich every animal lover’s library.

“What you will find in this beautifully written book are two things. It’s the life story of a dog, and an intimate portrait of an exceptional person who cherished and needed a stalwart companion. If it were only the story of a dog, I’d smile and say nothing. But The Book of Barkley is much more. It belongs on my bookshelf next to F. Scott Fitzgerald and Gene Rhodes, purely on literary merit. Turning the first twenty pages at random, her prose sparkles with rare gems. Johnson is exceptionally gifted.” Wolf DeVoon – Novelist and Screenwriter