An honest and deeply moving debut memoir about a young woman’s battle with depression and how her dog saved her lifeA New York Times Bestseller “Dog Medicine simply has to be your next must-read.” —Cheryl Strayed At twenty-two, Julie Barton collapsed on her kitchen floor in Manhattan. She was one year out of college and severely depressed. Summoned by Julie’s incoherent phone call, her mother … Summoned by Julie’s incoherent phone call, her mother raced from Ohio to New York and took her home.
Haunted by troubling childhood memories, Julie continued to sink into suicidal depression. Psychiatrists, therapists, and family tried to intervene, but nothing reached her until the day she decided to do one hopeful thing: adopt a Golden Retriever puppy she named Bunker. Dog Medicine captures the anguish of depression, the slow path to recovery, the beauty of forgiveness, and the astonishing ways animals can help heal even the most broken hearts and minds.
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Just picked this book back up recently. I don’t know why I put it down when I read it the first time – I think I was annoyed with the purchase of a purebred dog (personal bias – I know, unfair!). I’m glad I did pick it back up though. I really enjoyed this story and the author’s journey, but mostly I appreciated her writing. It was clear and open and raw at times. I’m also a person who finds animals to be healing and critical to my mental health. Her description of how the love of her dog pulled her through her depression resonated with me – animals are good medicine.
Dog Medicine was an intriguing memoir about Julie’s life. I enjoyed the way she talked so honestly about her life. It begins with the day when Julie collapses on her floor in Manhattan when she is twenty-two years old. She has been suffering from depression. Julie calls her mother who comes to get her and takes her back home to Ohio. Julie suffers with her depression and nothing seems to help her get better. Then one day, she adopts a puppy and things begin to change. Julie spills her deepest emotions onto the pages of her memoir. She writes about her relationships with her family and others in her life. She also writes about her love and the special bond she shares with her dog over the years. Her honest account of her life is beautifully written. Her book reads like a novel, but it is her real life struggle through her pain and depression. It is her story of her attempts to let go of the past, overcome her depression, and try to feel better.
Loved this book!
This is a must read for anyone, especially those who suffer from mental illness! I have told all my reading friends that this a must read.
It was inspirational to know that dogs/pets can have such a stunning effect on human beings. Well written testimonial/
It generally takes me weeks (or months) to read a book because I read before going to bed and I tend to fall asleep after a page or two. This kept my attention so well that I set aside time during the day to read it. After this book, I have a better appreciation for what depression can feel like. On top of that, there is a wonderful story of loyalty and love. What could be better?
Beautiful, true story of the healing relationship between a young woman and her dog.
This read gave me a very interesting perspective into the world of a bipolar person. It was (at times) funny but it could turn on a dime and be very depressing. The dog provided an interesting aside but I found the main focus to be the problems of a bipolar individual.
O loved this book.
I read this book in one setting; I couldn’t put it down. This is a riveting story of a valiant young woman battling depression and the heart warming canine companion that helped her find her way to health, happiness and self-sufficiency.
The character reveals what it is like to live in depression and how her thoughts can be overwhelming.
This is a good book that tells the story of a young woman facing depression and finding the love of her love..a dog that helps her through the darkness.
I really liked this book.. I am a true believer in “dog medicine.”
Awesome story about a very special relationship between a woman and her dog. Loved it!
Great book dealing with life and moving ahead. Love this story, especially the dog!!
Good read.
This was an instructive description of depression, and of course the dog was quite wonderful. A moving and inspiring story.
This book describes the author’s experience with major depression after she suffered from sibling abuse as a child. She was able to get help from professionals with the support of her parents but gives a huge amount of credit for her recovery and continued happiness to the puppy she obtains. This is a good story for those interested in depression and in the role a dog can play in recovery.
From the depth of depression to a life full of light, love and laughter, all through the love of a pup- A WONDERFUL BOOK.
Dog Medicine is an inspirational story about someone that has struggled with clinical depression for many years and how the unexpected addition of a dog in her life changed her life. I’d you’be ever lived with a person suffering from clinical depression, this book with talk to you. You’ll understand their struggles while also seeing how seemingly small things can change that. Beautifully written. Very touching.