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    Buddy: How a Rooster Made Me a Family Man
    Buddy: How a Rooster Made Me a Family Man
    Buddy: How a Rooster Made Me a Family Man
    Audiobook8 hours

    Buddy: How a Rooster Made Me a Family Man

    Written by Brian McGrory

    Narrated by Johnny Heller

    3.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Brian McGrory's life changed drastically after the death of his beloved dog, Harry: he fell in love with Pam, Harry's veterinarian. Though Brian's only responsibility used to be his adored Harry, Pam came with accessories that could not have been more exotic to the city-loving bachelor: a home in suburbia, two young daughters, two dogs, two cats, two rabbits, and a portly, snow white, red-crowned-and-wattled step-rooster named Buddy. While Buddy loves the women of the house, he takes Brian's presence as an affront, doing everything he can to drive out his rival. Initially resistant to elements of his new life and to the loud, aggressive rooster (who stares menacingly, pecks threateningly, and is constantly poised to attack), Brian eventually sees that Buddy shares the kind of extraordinary relationship with Pam and her two girls that he wants for himself. The rooster is what Brian needs to be-strong and content, devoted to what he has rather than what might be missing. As he learns how to live by living with animals, Buddy, Brian's nemesis, becomes Brian's inspiration, in this inherently human story of love, acceptance, and change.In the tradition of bestsellers like Marley and Me, Dewey, and The Tender Bar comes a heartwarming and wise tale of finding love in life's second chapter-and how it means all the more when you have to fight for it.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTantor Media, Inc
    Release dateNov 6, 2012
    ISBN9781452679211
    Buddy: How a Rooster Made Me a Family Man
    Author

    Brian McGrory

    Brian McGrory was a roving national reporter for the Boston Globe, as well as the Globe's White House correspondent during the Clinton administration. He is now a columnist in the newspaper's Metro section. The author of three bestselling thrillers -- The Incumbent, The Nominee, and Dead Line -- he lives in Boston. Find out more at www.brianmcgrory.com.

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    Reviews for Buddy

    3.5/5

    93 ratings33 reviews

    What did you think?

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    • 3/5
      I am in love with Harry and would like to have Buddy for dinner...hehehehe. I did enjoy this book but, I was wondering why he named it "Buddy", it should have been called "Harry" as the book was mostly about his dog Harry, that he loved and lost as a bachelor. Brian meets his future family through Harry and the journey from bachelor to Family man with Pam and the girls and Buddy the wackadoo Rooster and the critters they had and lost (but sadly never Buddy...:)is a bumpy and a funny one. Brian moves in with his girlfriend, all her animals, kids and takes a ton of crap from Buddy the rooster who terrorizes him 24/7 and he takes it! Pam's kids treat him horribly, Pam cuts him no slack and at some point I wanted to yell at him ...MAN UP DUDE! I too am an animal lover and have had similar moments with loved ones but usually with dogs, cats, horses ect...never a Rooster! It does have endearing moments and I did chuckle quite a bit and at the end all is well with Brian and his new fledgling family. I would like to give a shout out to Pam and her girls...be nice! I too had a "Harry" in my life and I cried and was much more interested when the story was about your beloved dog. Brian, Your love for Harry is beautiful and that should be your next book...:)
    • 3/5
      If the entire book had been about Harry the dog, I would have loved it. It was well written and easy to read. I was less than enchanted with the sections about Buddy. (I can't believe that their new neighbors were all that charmed by Buddy's unrelenting noise.) I also had a hard time with his new family. Shouldn't the well-being/sanity of someone you love be put before a rooster that, on occasion, drew blood? (Imagine if it had been a dog that tried to bite him every time they got near each other, or a dog that relentlessly barked day and night. Nobody would think that was charming or endearing.)
    • 5/5
      Great true story! Every animal lover will see some of the lessons taught to us lowly humans as our friends journey through our lives.
      I laughed, cried, and repeated.
    • 4/5
      Buddy: How a Rooster Made Me a Family Man by Brian McGrory
      328 pages

      ★★★★

      When I randomly picked up this book at the library, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I mean, the whole concept seemed a little cheesy to me, but what the heck. But right away I was sucked into Brian McGrory’s writing and lapped up his story of going from a man who had been single most of his life (except for a short marriage years before) in a large city to a man with kids, a fiancee, and A LOT of animals in the suburbs – including a rooster named Buddy. The author has a way of throwing his emotions out there and being honest which left me cracking up in some segments and tearing up in others. He has a habit of being very narcissistic and selfish at times but for the most part I found it charming. This really was a cute book, much more than just about a rooster (in fact many chapters have nothing at all to do with Buddy the Rooster) but about a past, a family and love. If you’re an animal lover, regardless of what kind, this may be a book to pick up. A surprisingly fun and quick read.
    • 4/5
      The author is a divorced journalist, living in the city with his beloved dog, Harry. Pam is Harry's vet, who takes up with the author after her divorce. Her daughters have a chicken project with school, only the chick that hatches is a male and the girls won't give him up. The rooster loves Pam and the girls, but is at war with the author. Funny moments as the author navigates from bachelor city living, to suburbia with Pam and her girls plus a menagerie of animals
    • 1/5
      I have had this book on my to be read pile for a while. This is one book where I was really looking forward to reading this book. I used to raise chickens and turkeys. For a brief time we even had a rooster. Yet he went to a good home as living close to neighbors is not always a good mix. Plus, my dad did not enjoy being woken up by the crowing of the rooster. I loved my chickens. In addition, it has been a long while since I have read a good chicken story. Sadly, this book was not what I was looking for. There was one brief moment early on where Buddy and Brian had "guy" battle to see just who was boss. Buddy won. As I read this, I had a smile on my face and even had to read this to my husband. Yet, this was the last time that Buddy would make an appearance in a long time. I can't tell you when he appears again as I got to chapter nine and put the book down. Not to take anything away from Mr. McGrory but I really was only intrigued in Buddy and his encounters with him and not so much about his life. Which if it had been more interesting then maybe I would have been more invested.
    • 5/5
      This is a great book. It has a few sad moments among many, many funny, hilarious and poignant ones. You would have to be a completely unfeeling shell of a human being not to thoroughly enjoy this book.
    • 4/5
      This is an easy and fun read. McGrory spends a lot of the book letting us meet his wonderful retriever Harry. He spends the rest on his relationship with his fiancee, her two children and their rooster Buddy. The three ladies are all the chicken has ever known so he's a bit protective of them. Buddy hates McGrory and sees him as a huge threat to his flock so he pretty much does nothing except attack, plan attacks and think about attacking. (I had no idea roosters could be so aggressive... no wandering around in any strange farmyards for me) The whole point of the title actually occurs in the last 10 pages of the story. I've seen reviews about how spoiled and horrible the two daughters are. I steeled myself for Bad Seeds. Meh. They are kids. Granted, they are entitled kids but they are still kids. Their mother could have made different choices on a few occasions. So could McGrory. But neither did and everything still turned out fine. I enjoyed the book, reading it in little segments each night before bed. I was actually a little sad when I realized I had come to the end of the story. I'd love to know how the family has fared.
    • 2/5
      The title of "Buddy", and the publisher's blurb, really set up the reader for a disappointment. The book isn't really about Buddy at all. It's more about the author's self-indulgent decision making. I'm glad he ends up feeling good about his marriage (I would really have felt bad for the kids if it hadn't worked out!), but ... how about more about the character in the title?This should have been re-edited and re-titled to be more about the author and his dog, or the author and himself. Frankly, after the first few paragraphs, I was rooting for the neighbors. I live next to an urban chicken owner, and the freakin' crowing (yes, even HENS can crow - at 4am) drives me insane. I'm sure his neighbors are SO VERY HAPPY that he learned to love this woman and her kids and himself and the LOUD CROWING ROOSTER. I'm sure that makes up for the 4am wake-up calls in the summer. I would not recommend this book to any of my friends. Sure, the writing itself was good - infrastructure was solid - but the content of that writing was not what I would call a great read.
    • 3/5
      In "Buddy: How a Rooster Made Me a Family Man", Brian McGrory has shared the story of his transformation from an independent, Boston sports writer, to a suburban step-dad. Using the catalyst of his step-daughters' pet rooster, and the trials and challenges he (the rooster) presents in a suburban home environment, to illustrate lessons he learns in parenting, and being a supportive spouse. Mostly how the rooster wanted to kill him and how his family didn't seem bothered by that at all, but how he made peace with it (sort of) in the end. It might have been a little more heartwarming shall we say, if the family were a little more likable. The 2 daughters seemed like spoiled brats most of the time, and his continual excuses for their demanding and obnoxious behavior being they come from a broken home, just grow thin. I think McGrory should write a whole book about his dog Harry, whom he clearly loved and brought out his softer side, (in fact it was his relationship to Harry that initially brought him to the attention of his future wife). That's the book I want to read. I will also add, that I find it incredible that they managed to keep a loud crowing rooster in a suburban neighborhood. - That would not be the case in any neighborhood round these parts, as tightly controlled by zoning laws and commissions as they are. Maybe the acreages are a tad larger in Mr. McGrory's neighborhood....
    • 4/5
      The title claims that the book is about a rooster; however, for the first 100 pages, the book is really about McGrory and his dog Harry. The book continues to be more about McGrory and his own fears about marrying a woman with two children than about the lessons Buddy teaches him. Despite the fact that the title is misleading, the book is still enjoyable. McGrory writes with compassion and humor. There are funny scenes with McGrory rushing to the American Girl store to get the new doll of the year for his stepchildren and trying to free Buddy the rooster from the top-loading washing in which he has become stuck. The book is a quick read and very enjoyable.
    • 4/5
      Just from the title, one would raise their eyebrows in disbelief...a lesson learned from a chicken? Throughout the book, you can feel the love that Brian had for his dear dog Harry and several other animals that he had gained through his second marriage..but a rooster? This book shows that lessons and love can come from anywhere, anyone, anything. And that is a lesson that is important for everyone to realize. I found this book to be very touching.
    • 4/5
      Buddy by Brain McGroryPets are normal, everyone has pets. But a pet rooster? That's stretching it a bit...Library Thing and the author sent me a copy of this book for review (thank you). It has been published and you can find a copy at your local bookstore.Brian begins his story with the tale of a well-loved dog. He acquires it during his first marriage and when the marriage dies, he still has the dog. Dogs are good friends, love us unconditionally and enjoy life in general. Even when the world as you know it ends, they're still at your side and on your side. However, dogs don't have a long life. When his dog got cancer and he had to usher him out of this world, I cried. Animals do that to me.I found it interesting that Brian met his second wife through the dog. She was the vet he used. It took a bit of back and forth and then they became a couple. She had two girls; he had to adjust to a life with children. He also had to adjust to being married again. He thought he was doing OK until a school project at their Dad's means an egg has hatched and they have a chick. It's fine at Dad's. Unfortunately, it came home with the kids...Who wants a pet chicken? That question got even more important when it turned out to be a rooster and began waking him each morning bright and early. It doesn't take too long for him to realize that either he accepts the rooster or he might be the one that has to leave.This reads like a novel even though it's a memoir. The rooster tortures him, the family loves the rooster, and Brian just has to try to survive. In time, even he grows a bit fond of the rooster. And he learns some important family lessons from him. Mr. McGrory writes a smooth flowing story that sounds just like you're living it. This is well worth a read; I enjoyed it. Why not visit a couple of great animals yourself?
    • 4/5
      Charming memoir of one man's journey from city-dwelling single guy skeptic to married suburban-living optimist. Brian McGrory is a prize-winning journalist who offers a tender glimpse into his personal life. His heartfelt relationship with his best friend Harry, a beautiful golden retriever, was touching and poignant. Harry became the bridge to Brian finding the woman who was to become his future wife. Pam was Harry's vet and along with her two daughters and a menagerie of animals, they establish their vibrant presence into Brian's well-ordered life. The only irritant to this bucolic scenario is a spoiled and territorial chicken named Buddy. This rambunctious rooster becomes the catalyst that fills Brian with a sense of purpose and responsibility and fills his heart with gratitude for the many things that have touched his life. This witty tale will capture the attention of the reader and delight the hearts of animal lovers everywhere.
    • 4/5
      This is a fun, light-hearted look at life with a new partner, Pam, mother of two young girls, Abigail and Caroline, and their bevy of animals, including Buddy, an irascible rooster. Brian McGrory, a writer and editor for the Boston Globe has written several other novels. His memoir is filled with commentary on the shift from once-divorced to bachelor, to romancing his dog's vet. The story begins with McGory telling us about his forever favorite dog, Harry, a loving, intelligent Golden Retriever who always got his jokes. They take walks through the city, where everybody knows and loves Harry. When Harry passes away from cancer at age 10, Brian thnks he will never be able to love another dog, let alone sustain a healthy relationship with a woman. Turns out Harry's vet cures him of those fears. The ensuing chaos is just what the dr. ordered, if you will forgive the expression. McGorry is a delightful writer, and continues to entertain, even while grousing about the self-centeredness of two spoiled young girls fighting him for their mother's attention. Enter Buddy, who inexplicably takes a dislike to Brian. Buddy begins life as a Science project, an adorable, fluffy yellow chick, but magically becomes a full-fledged rooster, cock-a-doodle-doo and all. Okay, it's not magic, but the audiobook is. I truly enjoyed it. I think men,women, and children could enjoy this audiobook and it is fairly g-rated. It is only 7 discs, so if you have a long ride ahead it is one you could finish in a few days of travel. I'm sure it makes for a good read also, but I enjoyed the reader and also having the exploits of the rooster, his family and the other pets read to me felt like a bedtime story. Highly recommended.
    • 3/5
      This was an interesting light-reading memoir . As other reviewers have pointed out , the book is actually about two animals . The author's beloved dog Harry and Buddy the rooster that seemingly everyone loves but McGrory . I do find it hard to believe that noone else had a problem with Buddy's constant cackling . I was also mildly disturbed that his wife Pam , a veterinarian , turned buddy into a cannibal by feeding him chicken nuggets . Overall , its a well-written book .
    • 4/5
      For LibraryThing Early ReviewersIt is always difficult to criticize someone’s memoir. Let’s face it, this is his life, and McGrory has opened the door and welcomed us into some of the most intimate corners of that life. Still, it must be said that some of this was rough going. I had to skim the first sixty pages just to stay committed to reading it at all; and comprehension suffered not at all from skimming, which is saying something; and not something good. I was afraid the entire book was going to go like this. Fortunately, I was wrong. In addition, it must be pointed out that the clumsy, juvenile writing style of the first sixty pages with its glut of hyperbole may have been deliberate. In fact, Brian McGrory, who is no hack, just may be a bona fide writing genius! This is a story of an overaged youngster growing up, and it is just possible that McGrory tailored his writing style to grow up with him as his account progresses. BUDDY tells the true story of his coming to genuine manhood through the example and influence of a beloved Golden Retriever, his second wife, her two young daughters; and Buddy, a pampered, crabby rooster who really hates McGrory. I think most of us can relate to McGrory’s tale and can think back to certain key events and people…and animals who “grew us up”. We find him in the beginning a successful young man with a marvelously self-centered life revolving around his wonderful job at the Boston Globe, living in his perfectly located condo in the Back Bay community of Boston, enjoying his meals out, tickets to the Red Sox and his loyal dog, Harry. Into his life steps Harry’s veterinarian, Pam, and change begins to relentlessly dog him. Gradually, very gradually, and rather painfully, he is drawn away from the city, bachelor life he loves into the suburban family life he needs. At the center of the change is Buddy, the pet rooster; coddled and petted by Pam and her girls, and a sort of living talisman for Brian, first a perverse adversarial symbol of Brian’s alienation from the heart of the family, and then, oddly enough, a role model of commitment and devotion beyond reason or self-concern.The most impressive thing about BUDDY is as the account of a remade family coming together. These are decent, loving people (and animals), and the making of a new family is just plain hard. McGrory has succeeded in protecting his family’s inner soul while still sharing with us the intricacies of its workings. We are privy to their commitment to make this family happen without being let in on those intimate conversations about the foundations of what will make it stick together. Yet, stick together it does, and we must simply sit back in awe and enjoy the ride.
    • 4/5
      Always exciting to get a new book in the mail. This one did not disappoint. The main character trades in a life of ease and independence for a new home filled with chaos, love, and change. Like many others, I agree this had a Marley and Me feeling. Quite enjoyable, thanks!
    • 4/5
      Enjoyed it tremendously! The book might be about a rooster, but it just as much about the formation of a new family and all their assorted critters!Will look for more books by the author!
    • 5/5
      I very much enjoyed this book; so much so that I became interested in some of the author's other books.I liked the author's honesty in regards to his feelings about the rooster. My husband adopted a cat not long after we met that definitely did not want to share his affections, and therefore made my life as hellish as possible for several years (until she finally realized that I was a pushover and fell in love with me). So I can relate to some of McGrory's experiences.I have to say that, while I understood the love the author's family had for the rooster, I didn't develop much feeling for the rooster himself. The idea of having something attack you or your loved one in your own home... I consider myself an animal person, and most things with fur find that I'm an easy mark. But if my family had a pet rooster that attacked my husband... well, my family wouldn't have a pet rooster anymore.I fell in love with Harry, though, head over heels. What an incredible companion. What a loss.Regardless, I enjoyed reading about how coping with the rooster changed the author, helping him to evolve from a self-centered bachelor to an engaged husband and father. It was a great story, skillfully written, with candor and humor, humility and heart.
    • 4/5
      It's a nice memoir about a Boston reporter who marries a vet with 2 daughters and moves to the suburbs with 2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 rabbits, and Buddy the rooster. Sort of a "coming of age" story, McGrory describes how he becomes a family man after spending many years as a bachelor. I quite enjoyed it, but keep the tissue handy.
    • 4/5
      Brian McGrory writes an endearing memoir about his "relationship" with a rather cantankerous rooster named Buddy. But it is not all about the rooster. McGrory also writes about his long-time companion, Harry the golden retriever. He examines how his feelings toward these two very different creatures helped him to re-evaluate his relationships with the people in his life. A great afternoon read, with a few pretty good laugh out loud moments.
    • 3/5
      When I read a book, I like to see a character develop. I look for someone will admirable character, someone that is making an effort to move forward. While Buddy is an engaging story which is nicely written, I had a hard time admiring the main character (aka, the author). He seemed to be resisting becoming a more admirable character and ended up in a better place despite himself. And, you know, if he had grown up in the ghetto, or in a dysfunctional family, I would have understood better his reluctance to be a more giving person. But from the evidence in the book, he had it pretty easy growing up and getting into a line of work he loved. So...My review, therefore, and the number of stars awarded, is based more on feelings about the attractiveness of the central character than on the strictly literary merits.
    • 5/5
      With a story line reminiscent of MARLEY AND ME, this author shows us his growth. It begins with his single life in downtown Boston accompanied by his goldie, HARRY, and continues into a middle life suburbia with a family that expands to include the family rooster, BUDDY. It is written in an entertaining, readable style. I did not want to put the book down. This would be a great read for anyone, but particularly for animal lovers! Also good for trying to get lost in a book. It was like that. Makes me want to read other things by this author.
    • 4/5
      I was very fortunate to get this book as an Early Reviewer. Thank you!What can I say, I love Harry! Buddy... well, you'll have to read the book on that one.This is a fun and easy read. I rather enjoyed it. I am surprised it wasn't called Harry, as most of the book is about the dog. For animal lovers looking for a great read, I would pick this up. Warning... there may be some tears though.
    • 4/5
      Anyone who knows anything about me knows that I do not, I absolutely do not read books about animals. Am I an animal hater? Far From it. I love animals. Pretty much all animals are on my favorites list. Currently there are four cats and a dog in my home. My fur kids are aways rescues. I adore them all. I have had other dogs, other cats, a few rabbits, and the poor chameleon and ill fated mouse. I have been known to dress down folks I see mistreating animals or allowing them to be in harms way. I have badgered neighbors until they finally learned that keeping their pets indoors was much better for the cats, and kept the safe, and healthier for longer. My reading friends know to warn me off of books that might upset me, when there are animals involved. I accept their kind advice and pass by books about cats in libraries or dogs on journeys and so forth. Dangerous ground, that. Where there are animals, there are people who lose animals to their inevitable death. I can't endure their pain, it reminds me too much of my own. Anyone who has had animals has felt that pain. The loss of a friend who loves you unconditionally and with complete abandon is pretty hard to ignore. Impossible in fact. So why did I choose to read this book? Buddy, the rambunctious and sometimes obnoxious rooster seemed safe. I thought it would be okay. Also, I didn't ay attention. I saw that it was about a man, his journey to becoming a a family man and of course the family that brought him to that point in his life. I somehow missed the perfectly and completely obvious comment in the book description that Harry, a wonderful, loving, cheerful and loyal dog dies in this book. This is not a spoiler.. go ahead and read the book description. There it is for all to see. All except me. So be warned. Brian sounds like a good man, a kind man and one who just wants to do the right thing, and to do it while having a happy life. Of course, he doesn't know how to make his life happy any more than the rest of us, but Harry helps him to find his way. It isn't unusual for a dog to make us happy. It's fairly common really. But Harry doesn't work alone. There are various animals, various people and many little bumps along the road. But in the end Brian learns something from Buddy. And what he learns is just possibly one of the secrets of the universe. So, go ahead and read it, don't be afraid. This is a story that will make you cry. This is also a story that will make you smile, hold your breath and sigh with relief. It's well worth the cry.
    • 3/5
      If the entire book had been about Harry the dog, I would have loved it. It was well written and easy to read. I was less than enchanted with the sections about Buddy. (I can't believe that their new neighbors were all that charmed by Buddy's unrelenting noise.) I also had a hard time with his new family. Shouldn't the well-being/sanity of someone you love be put before a rooster that, on occasion, drew blood? (Imagine if it had been a dog that tried to bite him every time they got near each other, or a dog that relentlessly barked day and night. Nobody would think that was charming or endearing.)
    • 3/5
      I am in love with Harry and would like to have Buddy for dinner...hehehehe. I did enjoy this book but, I was wondering why he named it "Buddy", it should have been called "Harry" as the book was mostly about his dog Harry, that he loved and lost as a bachelor. Brian meets his future family through Harry and the journey from bachelor to Family man with Pam and the girls and Buddy the wackadoo Rooster and the critters they had and lost (but sadly never Buddy...:)is a bumpy and a funny one. Brian moves in with his girlfriend, all her animals, kids and takes a ton of crap from Buddy the rooster who terrorizes him 24/7 and he takes it! Pam's kids treat him horribly, Pam cuts him no slack and at some point I wanted to yell at him ...MAN UP DUDE! I too am an animal lover and have had similar moments with loved ones but usually with dogs, cats, horses ect...never a Rooster! It does have endearing moments and I did chuckle quite a bit and at the end all is well with Brian and his new fledgling family. I would like to give a shout out to Pam and her girls...be nice! I too had a "Harry" in my life and I cried and was much more interested when the story was about your beloved dog. Brian, Your love for Harry is beautiful and that should be your next book...:)
    • 4/5
      My uncle kept chickens when I was small. We'd go to visit him and be given the task of collecting eggs from the coop. This sounded like a great and fun thing to do until we remembered the rooster. He probably had a name but I don't recall it. All I know is that he was pure evil, gleefully attacking defenseless children. At least until we got smart and started wielding the 2x4 kept just inside the chickens' enclosure. A few swipes (and maybe a hit or two) as he charged and he was wary about pecking, buying us enough time to collect the couple of eggs and get out. It was with this image in my head and a whole lot of skepticism that I opened up Brian McGrory's new narrative non-fiction, Buddy: How a Rooster Made Me a Family Man.The title and the cover are slightly misleading though as the book really details a large chunk of McGrory's life rather than being purely a memoir of his life with Buddy the rooster. Journalist McGrory was divorced and single, living in downtown Boston with his beloved dog Harry. He was an urbanite to the core and happy in his more than comfortable life in the city. His lovely, devoted golden retriever Harry was a joy with him for only ten short years, succumbing to cancer and leaving McGrory bereft. Through Harry's final illness, McGrory grows closer to Harry's vet Pam, finding her a sympathetic person and kindred spirit in the care of his much loved dog. It is only some time after Harry's death that Pam's marriage dissolves and she and McGrory ultimately fall in love. And that brings about the biggest changes in McGrory's life thus far: a move from the city to full-on suburbia, stepdaughters, and a menagerie of animals not of his own choosing, including Buddy the rooster.Buddy does not like McGrory, aggressively attacking him to protect his flock (Pam and her girls). And the feeling is mutual, with McGrory disliking Buddy in equal measure. But more than his conflict with this territorial chicken, this is a memoir about compromise, the re-making of a family, the nature of devotion, and change at mid-life. While McGrory doesn't come off as particularly appealing here, the others in the book come off worse. Pam's daughters seem to be entitled, spoiled brats who are never called to account for their obnoxious behaviour. Pam, as a vet, is strangely oblivious not only to Buddy's needs as a chicken but over the top indulgent of his bad behaviour. McGrory himself spends a lot of time bemoaning the loss of his formerly uneventful and pleasant single life in the city and he portrays himself, perhaps unintentionally, as a doormat, subsuming his own happiness in lieu of keeping his new life on an even keel. There seems to be little to no recognition of this new marriage as a partnership. At least in the case of Buddy, it is all about Pam's love for this rather nasty seeming rooster. And that's exasperating as a reader.Nothing about adding a new person to a family is easy, especially when the person being added has spent years on his own, living life without anyone to whom to be accountable, and ordering his existence with only a thought to his own happiness. But McGrory seems to head 180 degrees the other way in trying to forge a new married life with stepchildren It is all about Pam and the girls' happiness completely at the cost of his own. The third of the book that is a love letter to his dog Harry is lovely and heartfelt. His subsequent struggle to become part of a larger family is less lovely. All of it is well-written but the unevenness of interest in the narrative handicaps the book as a whole. That said, there is heart here and although I personally would have had fried chicken long ago with Buddy featuring as the main dish, it is interesting what McGrory claims to have learned from the obstreporous chicken and how he has changed (willingly) as a man and a husband as a result. Readers who enjoy any sort of pet memoir will find humor and pathos in equal measure here but readers looking for one that is centered solely on the chicken on the cover need to know that Buddy isn't really the main focus here.
    • 4/5
      McGrory has been happily single for many, many years. Well, maybe not so happily. He wishes often that he had a family. A wife. Kids. Wishes for a family a lot. Then he meets a vet and, before he knows it, he has a family. Fabulous fiancée. A real family. With kids who worship at your feet one minute and then ignore you the next. And, unexpectedly, a rooster.Should be required reading for all men out there who cluelessly marry into an established family.