“I opened this book for fun. I closed it with 400 emotional attachments.”
Look, I didn’t plan to get emotionally attached to an encyclopedia.
It was supposed to be a chill Saturday morning thing.
Coffee. Blanket. A quick flip through The Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds by Juliette Cunliffe.
Just a casual browse, maybe learn a few fun facts like which dogs don’t shed, or which ones are basically furry couch potatoes like me.
But by page 12, I was already spiraling.
By page 50, I was whispering “Oh my god, I love you” to a Norwegian Elkhound.
And by the end?
I was on the verge of tears, trying to figure out how to emotionally support a Komondor.
🐶 This Book Was Supposed to Be Informational. It Turned Out to Be Personal.
What no one tells you is that The Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds isn’t just a guide — it’s a parade of personalities.
It’s not just:
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Height: 22 inches
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Coat: Double, dense
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Life expectancy: 13 years
It’s:
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Here’s a dog that will guard your children like a knight in shining armor.
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Here’s one who can’t handle being left alone for 10 minutes without having an existential crisis.
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And here’s a sassy little terrier who acts like she pays rent and owns the place.
I didn’t expect a dog encyclopedia to make me feel seen.
But somewhere between the Labrador Retriever’s loyalty and the Whippet’s need for alone time, I realized something:
These aren’t just dogs.
These are living, breathing metaphors for the human condition.
❤️ My Emotional Highlights (aka Dogs I’m Now Deeply Attached To)
🐕🦺 The Great Pyrenees
Giant. Silent. Noble. Would fight a bear for you without asking questions.
Reminds me of the people in my life who love deeply but quietly — the ones who always check the locks twice before bed, not for themselves, but for you.
🐾 The Basenji
Small. Elegant. Doesn’t bark — just kind of yodels.
A little mysterious, kind of aloof, but incredibly smart and sensitive.
A dog that says: “I will love you on my terms. Also, I refuse to be basic.”
Basically, a walking Tumblr post.
🛷 The Alaskan Malamute
Looks like a snow beast, but is a total mush. Bred to pull sleds and survive brutal winters.
Still carries that strength in its DNA.
I couldn’t stop thinking: How many people do I know who carry weight in silence? Who are tired but still keep pulling?
😅 Dogs Are the Purest Vibe Check
One of my favorite parts of this book was realizing that dogs don’t lie.
They don’t fake their personalities to fit in.
They don’t gaslight themselves out of needing space or play or connection.
A Papillon will be fancy and fabulous and extra.
A Newfoundland will drool on your shoes but rescue you from drowning without hesitation.
A Pekingese will act like it’s royalty — because historically, it was.
There’s something weirdly healing about seeing all these dogs just being exactly who they are — no apologies, no self-editing.
I didn’t just learn about breeds. I learned what it looks like to own your identity without shame.
🧠 The Unexpected Takeaway: Maybe We’re All Just Different Breeds Trying to Get Our Needs Met
This book made me laugh, cry, and want to start a nonprofit that allows people to hug every breed at least once in their life.
But it also made me realize:
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Some of us are working dogs — we need a job or we spiral.
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Some of us are lapdogs — we just want to be held.
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Some of us are terriers — small, feisty, and never backing down from a challenge that’s three times our size.
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And some of us are mutts — a mix of everything, trying to figure it out as we go.
And honestly?
That’s beautiful.
Final Thought: 400 Dogs. 400 Ways to Be Loved, Loyal, and Fully Yourself.
If you’re having a weird week…
If you feel misunderstood, or like you don’t quite “fit” anywhere…
Go read this book. Or just Google some dog breeds.
Let yourself see the endless variations of enough-ness that exist in the canine world.
Because if a tiny Brussels Griffon with a mustache can be adored,
So can you.
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