Book Review: Puppy Chow is Better Than Prozac by Bruce Goldstein

Book Review: Puppy Chow is Better Than Prozac: The True Story of a Man and the Dog Who Saved His Life. Bruce Goldstein, 2008.


If you ever wondered what it would be like to descend into the depths of depression or suffer extreme manic behavior, Mr. Goldstein succeeds in taking you to that dark place. Diagnosed with manic depression and suffering from a broken heart, Mr. Goldstein’s life is pure misery. The knives in his kitchen are telling him to kill himself. He sees Satan at a park.

During a weekend with friends, he has a severe episode. Alone in his room, a friend’s dog comes to him. The dog does not judge. The dog is not afraid of him. In desperation, Mr. Goldstein decides maybe a dog would help him regain his life.

He adopts a black Labrador Retriever who he names Ozzy. You will laugh out loud as he describes the first harrowing night with a puppy, the first poop-scoop, the first bath. I particularly loved the puppy diaper bag he packed. For example, he carries a spray bottle to cool Ozzy's feet; who would think of that?

Ozzy transforms his life. Mr. Goldstein must now focus on something other than his lost love or other problems. He also introduces Mr. Goldstein to lots of different people. After all, who can resist a puppy?

Mr. Goldstein has a great way of describing his journey. It is heavy subject matter. Stick with it. When Ozzy enters Mr. Goldstein’s life, you will be inspired by how much the dog transforms his life. No, Ozzy does not cure Mr. Goldstein’s mental illness. He helps him to find balance, though.

As an aside, thank you to Mr. Goldstein for the rant about KFC. I agree wholeheartedly and laughed out loud when you described what “KFC” really means.

If you want to know what that comment was all about as well as read a truly inspirational story, I suggest picking up a copy of this book. The dog DOES NOT die at the end, so don’t worry about that. And, the closing line is excellent: “I thank God this book was written by Bruce Goldstein. Not in memory of.” Good boy, Ozzy.

Rescue Mommy