Conversations with Cookie is a warm, witty, and unexpectedly insightful collection of 52 short, dialogue-driven essays that blend humour, philosophy, and gentle rebellion.
Each illustrated chapter captures a fictional exchange between Cookie and me, our late cocker spaniel, whose no-nonsense wisdom and perfectly timed side-eye help unpack the quiet chaos of modern life. From our addiction to productivity to our fractured attention spans, Cookie challenges the habits we defend and asks the questions we avoid: Still scared of starting over? Why do you keep checking your app? Who are you without a deadline? Along the way, we are reminded that it is okay to be less efficient and more alive.
Each piece blends humour, self-awareness, and quiet wisdom, exploring everyday struggles such as burnout, boundary-setting, digital distraction, imposter syndrome, fading ambition, and the elusive art of rest. Through Cookie’s deadpan observations and my reluctant honesty, readers are invited to laugh, squirm, and reconsider the pace and patterns of their own lives.
Perfect for fans of Murakami’s running reflections, Brené Brown’s truth-telling, and Calvin & Hobbes with a therapist, this book is about curiosity, vulnerability, and the quiet brilliance of pausing long enough to listen to your dog, yourself, and the silence between distractions.
Because sometimes, the smartest thing you can do is talk to your dog.

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