Experience pet-assisted therapy in a book! Casey was a great dog. Not great in terms of courageous, heroic, or bold he was great because he was unabashedly himself. And when someone has the courage to just be who he is, the lessons of life seem to emanate from him in even the simplest of his actions. Dr. Iris Bell, a psychiatrist and Casey s mom, has recorded in delightful images and concise words her beloved friend's innocent wisdom, and delightful worrywart wit. She cleverly couples these with notable quotes from writers, celebrities and some of the world's great thinkers who discovered through their own process of living and observing life what Casey just naturally knew. If you ever need a little chuckle, a point in the right direction, a reminder of how someone can love and appreciate someone else, "Chew on Things It Helps You Think" is just what the doctor ordered.

Chew on Things – It Helps You Think: Words of Wisdom from a Worried Canine

As a canine lover the subtitle of the book caught my eye and even more so that the words of wisdom are being “told to” the author, Dr. Iris Bell.  Knowing dogs are extremely wise, I was excited to read this book.

In the foreword, Casey B. Worrywart, Dogtor of Philosophy, explains that he sees himself as a “soulful fellow” and wants to share what he has learned while watching, worrying, thinking, and doing things. The author qualifies Casey being a special dog.  He was an eccentric wheaten terrier, who lived to be 14 ˝ years old, which became a true friend.  Now, Bell shares Casey’s philosophy with the reading audience.

The book starts out with a short blurb about Casey starting out as a puppy and being nervous.  He says “Mom [Iris Bell] had to help me get over my fears of rocks little by little in the narrow wash bed of rocks that went across the middle of our backyard.  Eventually I felt safe enough to run all over the yard.  But you can’t run free until you can jump over the wash, over hurdles…. Important lesson: 1.) Life has hurdles – make them as scary as you need to so that you have something important to overcome, but…2) Don’t eat your way through them.”  Now, that’s a wise puppy!  This is just the beginning. The rest of the book has wise, touching, and even some funny, quotes from Casey. And, on each opposite page there is a picture of Casey.

“Chew on Things – It Helps You Think” is a great coffee table book, or a book to give to a friend and, of course, a canine lover.  Casey is a metaphor for our own lives and the words of wisdom that come from him remind us that life can be a joy, and as he says “Don’t let anyone stop you once you have your sights set on where you want to go.”