Chew on Things – It Helps You Think: Words of Wisdom from a Worried Canine

Iris Bell
Creative Bookworm Press (2007)
ISBN 9780979165320
Reviewed by April Sullivan for Reader Views (11/07)

“Chew on Things – It Helps You Think” was written by Iris Bell, but only as told to her by Casey B. Worrywart, Dogtor of Philosophy.  Casey was Iris’ Wheaten Terrier and a chronic worrier.  Iris is a psychiatrist who has crafted this fun picture and quote book about the wisdom she has learned from her dog.

This book is a quick read and is inviting enough to make you want to pick it up again and again.  As the subtitle says, Casey provides “Words of Wisdom from a Worried Canine.”  Each page includes a short quote, story, or fable from Casey as well as a relating quote from other famous philosophers such as Winston Churchill, John Lennon, or Lily Tomlin.  These quotes are refreshingly not the same old quotes you see over and over.  Across from the text is a photo of Casey, illustrating the narrative or quote. 

For example, Casey says, “As you get older, let the young ones follow you around.  They might learn something.”  Following this quote is one by M. Russell Ballard; “I believe that every human soul is teaching something to someone nearly every minute here in mortality.”  The corresponding picture is of a mature Wheaten Terrier playing with a puppy terrier.

There are a lot of quote books on the market.  What makes this one unique is that it is from the point of view of a dog.  This makes the book perfect for that dog lover who enjoys quote books.  I bet there are many readers out there who fit that description, and no one has thought to market to them before!

I enjoyed the humor in “Chew on Things – It Helps You Think.”  What attracted me to it is the idea of a worrywart dog.  I thought mine was the only one.  So if you are a worrywart dog owner, a worrywart yourself, or know one, this is a cute book that will bring smiles and good thoughts.  Who could worry when looking at photos of this cute dog?  Casey says it best with this quote, “Read a lot.  I do.  And keep reading.  You learn things.  You never know what.  The meaning gets deeper and deeper the longer you look at the words.”


Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (4/07)


As a canine lover the subtitle of the book caught my eye and even more so that the words of wisdom are being “told to” the author, Dr. Iris Bell.  Knowing dogs are extremely wise, I was excited to read this book.

In the foreword, Casey B. Worrywart, Dogtor of Philosophy, explains that he sees himself as a “soulful fellow” and wants to share what he has learned while watching, worrying, thinking, and doing things. The author qualifies Casey being a special dog.  He was an eccentric wheaten terrier, who lived to be 14 ½ years old, which became a true friend.  Now, Bell shares Casey’s philosophy with the reading audience.

The book starts out with a short blurb about Casey starting out as a puppy and being nervous.  He says “Mom [Iris Bell] had to help me get over my fears of rocks little by little in the narrow wash bed of rocks that went across the middle of our backyard.  Eventually I felt safe enough to run all over the yard.  But you can’t run free until you can jump over the wash, over hurdles…. Important lesson: 1.) Life has hurdles – make them as scary as you need to so that you have something important to overcome, but…2) Don’t eat your way through them.”  Now, that’s a wise puppy!  This is just the beginning. The rest of the book has wise, touching, and even some funny, quotes from Casey. And, on each opposite page there is a picture of Casey.

“Chew on Things – It Helps You Think” is a great coffee table book, or a book to give to a friend and, of course, a canine lover.  Casey is a metaphor for our own lives and the words of wisdom that come from him remind us that life can be a joy, and as he says “Don’t let anyone stop you once you have your sights set on where you want to go.”

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