Uggie: My Story

Book Review

Uggie:   My Story
As barked to Windy Holden

Did you see the movie “The Artist?”  I confess I did not see it until a couple of weeks ago.  What can I say?  A mostly silent, black-and-white movie that was an awards season favorite was not high on my “must see” list.  I really wanted to see it at some point, though, because of Uggie.  Yes, the dog, a Jack Russell terrier, is the sole reason I wanted to see this movie.  Big surprise.

Uggie was fantastic.  He took the movie to another level.  In case you are unfamiliar with the film, it is about George Valentin, a fictional silent film star, and his descent when “talkies” replaced silent films.  I will not give away all the details, in case you have not seen the film.  Suffice it to say, Uggie’s character, Jack, remains loyal to the very end.  He works so well with Jean Dujardin. 

They have a special bond, clearly evidenced in one scene of the movie.  You will read all about it in the book.  It is a shame that scene did not make it into the final film.  There would not have been a dry eye in the theatre – and you have no heart if you do not get a little choked up reading about it.

When I saw that Uggie released a memoir, I had to read it.  The book did not disappoint.  The book is about Uggie’s rough start as an out-of-control JRT who was bound for the pound and his journey in the world of show business. 

As a young dog, he committed a terrible sin.  It was the last straw for his owners – either they would find a home by the end of the week or take him to the pound.  Omar Von Muller is the animal trainer who adopted Uggie.  I love what he said about Uggie when he adopted him:  “Uggie only acts crazy because he’s so smart.”  If more people realized that before adopting JRTs and other active breeds, there would be less of these wonderful animals in shelters today.

The book contains great pictures of Uggie on movie sets, at play, et cetera.  He is head-over-heels in love with Reese Witherspoon, to whom he dedicated the book and spends some time pining over in the book.  One little note, Uggie – Reese is from Tennessee, not Louisiana.

You will laugh out loud at stories of Uggie’s misadventures.  These stories are especially meaningful if you have or have ever had a JRT.  I consider myself very lucky that Gracie was three when she joined our family.  If this is how young JRTs are, I missed out on a lot of mischief. 

The book also has a serious message.  Uggie and his dad are advocates for rescue adoption.  According to the book, approximately 80 percent of the cats and dogs we see on TV and in the movies are rescue pets (page 52).  I had no idea the percentage was so high.  It certainly emphasizes what most of us already know – rescue pets are the best!

I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves dogs.  It would make a great holiday gift, especially for someone who has a JRT.  You could also include a copy of the film too.  I actually want to see it again now that I know so much about Uggie.

Uggie, you have another fan!

Rescue Mommy

P.S.

Search “Uggie” on YouTube.  You can watch a bloopers reel from “The Artist” as well as see Uggie’s appearances on TV and watch him skateboard with his friend Dash.