Who Let the Dogs Out? My BRAND NEW Dating After Divorce Book

Dating after divorce can feel like a nightmare. At least it did for me. When I got divorced in 2008, I made a beeline for husband #2, which was the worst strategy a newly divorced person could take. My plan resulted in: dating all the wrong people, putting up with bad behavior, and putting a massive amount of pressure on myself to find love. These things did not lead to a husband, but rather to: severe frustration and disappointment, low self-esteem, unhappiness, and the inability to move on after the divorce. In my BRAND NEW dating after divorce book, “Who Let the Dogs Out?” I aim to empower you and inspire you in dating after divorce, so that you can not only find love, but so you can find the most important love, which is self-love.

Make no mistake, “Who Let the Dogs Out, an Empowering, Funny and Inspiring Guide to Dating after Divorce” is really funny, and I think you will laugh and be very entertained, but it also covers some pretty heavy issues, which include alcoholism, cheating, and other bad behaviors. Each chapter of the book is devoted to one dog; one guy I dated, the story, what I learned, and dating and relationship advice for you based on what I learned.

 

Here are some chapter titles and quotes from the “Who Let the Dogs Out? an Empowering, Funny and Inspiring Guide to Dating after Divorce”

 

1. The German Shepherd: “The Hot and Cold Guy”

 

“Our first kiss was on his couch in front of the fireplace. Kissing a wealthy, divorced, older guy was sexy, but it also felt safe.” ‘You’re really pretty,’ said Brad, in between kisses. This was getting good. I started thinking that I could see Brad becoming by boyfriend. He was going to sweep me off my feet, rescue me, and life was going to be perfect. Then he said four words that completely wiped away that theory. ‘Want to go upstairs?’”

 

2. The Maltese: “The Vince Vaughn Lookalike”

 

“I’d be playing with my kids in the pool and then while drying off and soaking up the sun, I’d find myself thinking about this passionate romance I had going on that on one knew about.”

 

3. The Beagle: “My Mr. Big”

 

“If anything was ever going to happen with Scott, it had to be tonight. Right here, right now. This was the moment our entire relationship had been leading up to. I braced myself. I knew in my heart that if Scott didn’t kiss me right now, he never would. ‘Well, goodnight,’ I said, trying to mask my nervousness. Scott hesitated and my heart was pounding. Then he leaned in. He leaned in and gave me the most platonic hug I’ve ever gotten in my entire life.”

 

 

The thing about “Who Let the Dogs Out” is, I’m not a therapist or a coach or a dating expert offering my professional advice. Who I am is a journalist and the founder of Divorced Girl Smiling, who spent 7 years writing a weekly syndicated column in the Chicago Tribune publications across the U.S. called “Love Essentially,” during which time I interviewed hundreds of divorce and dating professionals. That was my formal education. But even more so, my dating advice comes from me dating, getting heartbroken, walking the walk, making the mistakes, figuring out how to forgive and love myself, finding a life I love whether that’s with someone or being alone, and learning how to be the best partner I can be in a romantic relationship.

 

“Who Let the Dogs Out” culminates with me meeting the love of my life, who I’ve been with for over 9 years. I credit our happy, healthy relationship with two things: him and me. He brings out the best in me, which I think is the most important quality of a healthy romantic relationship. He is wonderful. He makes me feel like I hit the jackpot. But it’s also really good because of me; because I made the mistakes and I worked on myself and I made a life for myself that was really great before I got involved with him.

 

Quote from “Who Let the Dogs Out”

 

“Looking back, I always had one foot out the door, one eye on the guy two barstools down from me, and half my heart unwilling to fully devote it to anyone.”

 

 

My dad always used to say “A beaten dog is a wiser dog.” Nothing rings truer (or is more appropriate for this dating after divorce book in which I’m comparing men to dogs!) Therapy and coaching are wonderful tools, and I really wish I’d have worked with a divorce coach during and after divorce, but my dating after divorce advice comes from my heart, and comes with the best intentions, which are to help YOU. As you navigate what you might think is a nightmare, “Who Let the Dogs Out” can be your guide to avoiding the mistakes I made. It can save you a lot of time and tears, and my hope is that it sets you up to be your best self so that when the right person comes around, you are ready for real, authentic and the best love yet!

 

Here are 2 more quotes from “Who Let the Dogs Out”

 

“You could be walking down the street and pass the greatest guy on earth, but if you aren’t in the right frame of mind, you won’t even notice him.”

 

“I remember interviewing a divorce coach several years ago, who said that she thinks people should be happy in their relationships 75% of the time. I vehemently disagreed because you know what that means? It means that every week, you are unhappy at least two, even three of the days! Ask yourself if you deserve that.”

 

Do I regret dating all the dogs in this book? Absolutely not! In fact, I really like so many of them still. So, my point is, nothing and no one is ever a waste.

 

Last quote from “Who Let the Dogs Out?”

“When you find that person, the one, you might find yourself smiling from time to time at the thought of all your dogs. After all, as difficult as each one was, and as much heartache as they caused you, each of those furry friends will have led you to where you are right now and who you are with at this moment. And you might realize that you are forever grateful for the gift of this journey you took with them. I know I am.”

Get “Who Let the Dogs Out” on Amazon or Barnes and Noble! Available on Kindle or in paperback.