Learning to Live with Fritz: Book Review

Learning to Live with Fritz: Disgruntled Angel in a Hairy Disguise by E Rawlins has been a good summer read for me.  

Though I thought this book would simply be light reading, I found myself contemplating the larger issue:  dog as spiritual teacher.

I do believe that dogs have much to teach us, plus as our special friends, they have prime opportunities to deliver lessons about life and love.  So I was open to Rawlins tales of her dog, Fritz. 

According to the book's back cover:

An opera singer meets her greatest teacher in a Manhattan pet shop.  In Learning to Live with Fritz author E. Rawlins tells the story of how one crazy little dog changed her life.

A soon-to-be divorced soprano is mysteriously compelled to purchase a pup only days before saying goodbye to her unhappy role of California corporate wife.  Rushing back to Europe to save what is left of her flagging career, the decision to take along a twelve week old Maltese puppy is more than implausible ... it is insane.

Humorous and self-critical Rawlins tells the story of her chaotic adventures with Frizbee, an eight pound nut case who was in reality an ill-tempered angel in a hairy disguise.  Fifteen years of non-stop travel take the dizzy diva and her high maintenance mascot to Paris, London, Brussels, Tokyo, Vienna, Salzburg, Milan, and back to the Big Apple.  Along the way they pick up a handsome young baritone on his personal journey to international operatic celebrity.  As the drama unfolds the idea of love at first sight reveals itself to be anything but a romantic illusion.

Fritz continually upstages and controls his mistress through his rigidly enforced rules and regulations, his antics, his irascible charm... and his bizarre other worldly connections.  This is a memoir of a narcissistic would-be diva and a dog who is dead serious about teaching her how to give up her me-myself and I illusions, to live authentically... and above all to learn the meaning of unconditional love.

Fritz / Frizbee ©E.Rawlins

Part 1 of the book is a series of stories - some hilarious, some eyebrow raising (think Marley and Me) - that give you a very clear picture of this little dog and how he is in charge of his world.  And I do mean in charge. 

Fritz/ Frizbee leads his mistress on a merry chase of the good life.  With his bad behavior, huge personality, headstrong temperament, Fritz seems an unlikely match for a woman who describes herself as a Diva.

Yet, the two make quite a team in life.  The author notes:

Frizbee's sojourn here on Earth was the beginning of a personal transformation that I hope will continue for the rest of my life.  It has become a journey toward self-knowledge, fulfillment, and success through service to others.

Part 2 Learning to Live Without Him, was even more enjoyable for me.  I fully understood the author's heartbreak when it was time for Fritz end his 15 years of life here on earth.  More importantly, I enjoyed Rawlins' exploration of what she had truly learned from her beloved dog both before and after his death.  Did Fritz truly communicate with his mistress from beyond the grave?  I leave that for you to decide.

If you're not a fan of opera (I'm not), don't let this dissuade you from a fun, thoughtful dog book.

E. Rawlins is a retired international opera singer.  She is a metaphysical teacher, seminar leader, drama coach, poet, first time author and dog lover.  She resides in Switzerland.  Learning to Live with Fritz is available at IUniverse,  on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other major book retailers. 

Dog Book Review: Guardians of Being by Eckhart Tolle and Patrick McDonnell

A guest blog post by the Dog Daddy at For Love of a Dog - Guardians of Being: Spiritual Teachings from Our Dogs and Cats - Book Review

A number of years ago I learned about Eckhart Tolle and began following his writings. The first book I read was “The Power of Now”. This book changed the way I see myself and the world.  

I have since read numerous books by Tolle and am amazed by his insight.  So, I was thrilled when my dogs, with the help of my lovely wife, gave me “Guardians of Being” for my recent birthday.  

The full name of the book is “Guardians of Being, Spiritual Teachings from Our Dogs and Cats” The words are by Eckhart Tolle, spiritual teacher, and the art is by Patrick McDonnell, creator of the comic strip MUTTS. These two are truly inspired and work wonderfully together.  

In Tolle’s writings he often speaks about dogs and how they can teach us to be in the Now, so I was excited to read this book. I have already read it 3 times.  It will definitely be one of those books I keep close and re-visit. 

Anyone who has ever loved a dog or a cat will love this book and as you read you will find yourself saying YES! I know that! I knew that! I feel that!

Tolle teaches that all animals - dogs and cats specifically - as we live and love so closely with them, are in the original state of consciousness and are not encumbered by the human mind and ego which keeps us locked in the past or present and not in the now, where dogs and cats reside. So by observing our animals and being in the here and now with them we can learn to better experience the joy of life. 

“It’s so wonderful to watch an animal because an animal has no opinion about itself. IT IS.”   Tolle

“The vital function that pets fulfill in this world hasn’t been fully recognized. They keep millions of people sane.” Tolle

“I have lived with many Zen Masters, all of them cats.” Tolle

“Love is a deep empathy with the other’s Beingness. You recognize yourself, your essence, in the other. And so you can no longer inflict suffering on the other.” Tolle

The quotations above are just a sample of the great wisdom in this book and the great wisdom of our pets. The art by McDonnell which accompany Tolle's words, go along with these teachings to highlight the words and the wisdom. I would encourage all pet owners to read this book to remind you of the spiritual wisdom they possess and to assist them in doing their job of being Guardians of Being. 

Spiritual teacher and author Eckhart Tolle was born in Germany and educated at the Universities of London and Cambridge. At the age of twenty-nine a profound inner transformation radically changed the course of his life. The next few years were devoted to understanding, integrating, and deepening that transformation, which marked the beginning of an intense inward journey. Later, he began to work in London with individuals and small groups as a counselor and spiritual teacher. Since 1995 he has lived in Vancouver, Canada.

Eckhart Tolle is the author of the New York Times bestsellers The Power of Now (translated into 33 languages) and A New Earth, which are widely regarded as two of the most influential spiritual books of our time. In 2008, A New Earth became the first spiritual book to be selected for Oprah's Book Club as well as the subject of a ten-week online workshop co-taught by Eckhart and Oprah.  Learn more at his web site www.eckharttolle.com

Patrick McDonnell is a New York Times best-selling author. He received the National Cartoonists Society Reuben Award for Cartoonist of the Year in 1999, and Mutts was named Strip of the Year in 1997. A dedicated animal advocate and Genesis Award recipient, McDonnell regularly lends his talents to animal protection groups and issues, including the Humane Society of the United States, where he serves on the national board of directors. McDonnell was also recently elected to the board of directors of the Charles M. Schulz Museum. He is a native of New Jersey.  Learn more at his web site www.MuttsComics.com