Mommy's Boy: How My Doggie Soulmate's Love Rescued Me

Jennifer Huston Schaeffer's memoir, Mommy's Boy, is a unique story of a bond between a woman and her canine son, a story of the transformative decade she spent with Benny, a rescued Westie-Maltese mix who became her “doggie soulmate.” Following heartbreaks and realizing traditional motherhood might not be her future, Jennifer adopts Benny in 2014, finding unconditional love that heals her loneliness. The narrative follows their journey from Chicago to Indianapolis, where Benny helps Jennifer pursue a romance with Brad. Together, they face Benny’s complex health battles, including pancreatitis and gallbladder surgery, treating him as their child. For how long can they keep Benny with them?

The memoir explores themes of grief, destiny, and the validity of pet parenthood. Schaeffer writes with unusual clarity about the guilt and “tsunami of grief” following Benny's death. Literary highlights include recreated dialogue and humorous anecdotes, such as Benny's “neon poops.” The bond between the trio is cleverly written, and Benny acts as an “ambassador of love,” bridging the gap between Jennifer and Brad. Tender moments abound, such as the bride-and-son dance to “You Are My Sunshine” at their wedding and Benny’s “Schaeffer Strong” pep talks during hospitalizations. The story highlights how Benny emotionally rescued Jennifer, teaching her to accept love without limits. Schaeffer also underlines the advocacy required for pet health. The part that captivated me the most is the chapter, “Lessons from Benny,” which humanizes the relationship between pets and humans and shows how perceptive these creatures can be. Mommy's Boy is a story of love, a unique love, and one that demonstrates how a dog can help us discover the part of us that we often ignore; it is sweet and tender, and dog lovers won’t put this down.