Algonquin author writes humorous tales of dog ownership

The day Mike Brower and his wife, Pam Reno, brought home a 10-week-old puppy seven years ago, their lives changed forever.

Abby, a Havana Silk dog, instantly dominated their Algonquin home, which had suddenly been filled with dog beds, toys and water bowls. Training sessions, classes and dog shows began taking over their schedules.

Reno's time became consumed with taking Abby places to socialize with other dogs, grooming her several times a week and preparing elaborate meals for her — all things she used to do for Brower, he joked.

“(Abby) just took over,” Reno said. “Her basic personality is very, very independent. Ultimately, she rules.”

The pitfalls and rewarding moments of owning a pet became Brower's inspiration for sitting down five years later to write a book, “I Bought a Dog and Lost My Wife.” The humorous account of the impact Abby has had on their lives — and their decision to eventually get a second Havana Silk dog named Dylan — was published in March.

“When the dog entered my life, my life changed. That was the genesis for the book,” Brower said, noting it also includes facts about pet ownership in the U.S. “The inspiration was real, and once I started writing, it took on a life of its own.”

Brower admitted he originally wasn't interested in getting a dog, despite pleas from Reno, who had grown up with pets. He felt they were too restrictive, expensive and somewhat of a hassle.

Brower says he and Reno now can't imagine life without their champion show dogs.

When Reno went back to work five months after getting Abby, for example, she was hysterical — “like a mother leaving her newborn baby,” she said. When Brower attends dog shows, he experiences the same nervousness and excitement he recalls feeling while watching his sons' competitions when they were young.

“(The dogs) are almost like our children,” Brower said. “And they relieve stress for me. If it's been a stressful day, I go upstairs and pet the dogs. I swear, it's like therapy.”

In addition to working and taking care of Abby and Dylan, Brower has spent the last few months scheduling local book signings and promoting his book, which can be purchased online at sites such as Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Brower is also considering writing a second book, he said, which will likely highlight more personal accounts of their time with both dogs.

“We're dog crazy,” Brower said, “and I think anybody who's ever had a dog, has a dog or is thinking about getting a dog can really relate to that.”