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Immense Gratitude
In Mommy’s Boy, you share with readers the immense comfort you found in your rescue dog throughout your most trying times. What inspired you to share your story with readers?
I initially began just jotting down memories of Benny so I wouldn’t forget them as time passed. But after a while, a theme emerged that not only was Benny my doggie soulmate and like the child I could never have, but he also helped ease my anxiety and shyness around new people so I could just be myself. And in that way, among others, he literally changed my life, so I wanted others to know the incredible impact a pet can have on a person’s life.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
The most difficult thing for me to write about was the day Benny passed away and the grieving process that followed. For the most part, reliving Benny’s younger years was an enjoyable trip down memory lane that made me smile and even laugh during a time when I was still crying every day over losing him. However, when I wrote about his passing, not only was I retraumatized all over again, but it was difficult to put into words all the emotions I was feeling: heart-wrenching sadness and grief coupled with immense gratitude that I got to be his mommy; guilt; second-guessing my decisions; anger that we didn’t get more time with him, and just missing every single thing about him. But at the same time, expressing all those emotions–both physically and “on paper”–was very therapeutic.
What is a common misconception you believe many people have about adopting a pet?
My experience has mostly been with dogs, so my answer mainly applies to them. First, you can’t go into it thinking that a pet is going to seamlessly fit into your home. There will be a learning curve and it will likely change how you live your life. You need to commit to giving them the proper attention they deserve on a daily basis. Unlike cats, dogs need to go outside to potty and need fresh air and exercise, some breeds more than others, of course. Owners also need to carve out some time each day to play with and snuggle with their pet, help it socialize with other dogs, and teach it good manners. Unlike cats, which can be more independent and solitary, dogs are pack animals and your family will be its pack.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your experience and Benny’s story?
The most important thing I’d like readers to realize–which is a big reason why I wrote Mommy’s Boy–is the profound impact a pet can have on one’s life, particularly those dealing with shyness, anxiety, sadness, loneliness, even depression. It wasn’t until after I adopted Benny that I realized how sad and lonely I’d been for such a long time–so long that it had simply become a way of life for me. It was like I’d been sitting alone in a dark room for years, and when Benny came into my life, suddenly my world was filled with light and my heart overflowed with love. In the book, I say: “He ignited a spark in my heart that had been dormant for years, and he brought so much light into my life that I felt like I was Dorothy Gale, stepping from the black-and-white of Kansas into the vibrant technicolor world of Oz.” That’s exactly what the unconditional love of a pet can do for a person. And there are SO many dogs and cats out there in need of a good, loving home, so I hope the story of Benny and me encourages others to rescue a pet.
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LOVE WAS WAITING AT THE SHELTER, NOT ON MATCH.COM
Jennifer has always dreamed of getting married and having children, but after dealing with men who can’t commit, she shifts her focus from meeting the man of her dreams to finding her four-legged soulmate.
When Jennifer meets Benny, she knows instantly that he’s “the one.” He wiggles his way into her heart and takes up permanent residence. Despite his angelic face and calm demeanor, Benny harbors a mischievous side. He steals any food that isn’t nailed down, nearly breaks his neck chasing squirrels, and suffers from chronic allergies, separation anxiety, and a Napoleon complex. He also eases Jennifer’s “baby fever,” becomes the spokesdog of her business, and is her constant companion as they face life-altering changes and challenges. But when Benny faces a life-threatening illness, Jennifer must come to terms with the reality that our time with our fur babies is limited.
Told with loving affection and raw emotion, Mommy’s Boy is the true story of two lost souls who find the unconditional love, companionship, and emotional support they need, in the process forging a profound bond as deep as a mother and her child. It’s a tender and heartfelt tribute to a special little guy who was more than “just a dog,” he was family.
Mommy’s Boy: How My Doggie Soulmate’s Love Rescued Me
Jennifer Huston Schaeffer’s Mommy’s Boy is a heartfelt memoir about love, loss, and healing through the unwavering companionship of a dog. At its core, it’s a story about finding solace in an unexpected place, through a scruffy little rescue dog named Benny. Through the ups and downs of heartbreak, personal struggles, and self-discovery, Schaeffer delivers a moving narrative that dog lovers, and anyone who’s ever found comfort in an animal’s presence, will deeply relate to. The book follows her journey from childhood pet bonds to a mid-life realization that the truest love she’d ever known came not from relationships with men, but from the love of her four-legged soulmate.
Schaeffer doesn’t shy away from vulnerability, whether it’s reliving the ache of a bad breakup, the loneliness creeping into her forties, or the frustration of the grueling dog adoption process. The chapter “Fortysomething Woman Seeks Four-Legged Soulmate” was both hilarious and painfully relatable, as she details rejection after rejection from dog rescues that deemed her unfit simply because she had a full-time job. The way she lays it all out, no sugarcoating, no pretentiousness makes her easy to root for. When she finally finds Benny (formerly “Boo”), it’s impossible not to feel an overwhelming sense of joy and relief.
Schaeffer has a gift for capturing the tiny but powerful moments of life, the kind that make up love, loss, and growth. One of the most touching aspects of the book is the way she illustrates Benny’s impact on her world. It’s not just about cuddles and companionship; it’s about how he pulled her out of darkness, gave her purpose, and, in a way, saved her from herself. “He ignited a spark in my heart that had been dormant for years,” she writes, describing how her world shifted from grayscale to full color when Benny came into her life. The chapter “Mommy’s Secret” is a standout, where she acknowledges that while society often expects women to find fulfillment through romance and motherhood, her greatest love story was unfolding with a little white dog.
But Mommy’s Boy isn’t just a feel-good dog book; it’s raw, emotional, and sometimes devastating. The later chapters, particularly “A New Diagnosis and Two Crushing Losses,” hit hard. Schaeffer doesn’t hold back on the realities of pet parenthood, the looming dread of eventual loss, the helplessness of seeing a beloved companion in pain. It’s impossible to read without a lump forming in your throat. At times, I had to pause just to absorb the weight of it. The book perfectly captures the paradox of pet love: knowing from the start that they will break your heart someday, yet loving them with everything you have anyway.
Mommy’s Boy is an absolute must-read for dog lovers, but it’s more than just a pet memoir. It’s for anyone who’s ever rebuilt themselves after heartbreak, found love in unexpected places, or realized that sometimes, the best relationships aren’t the ones we’re conditioned to chase. It’s a book that makes you laugh, cry, and maybe even hug your dog a little tighter. If you’ve ever known the kind of love that only a dog can give, this book will feel like home.
LITERARY TITAN 