White Dog Books
For fans of Marley & Me and Must Love Dogs, Mommy’s Boy is a heart-warming tale that will have you smiling through tears and hugging your fur baby a little bit tighter.
From the time she was a little girl, Jennifer always dreamed of getting married and having children, but after navigating the Chicago dating scene and dealing with men who can’t commit, she trades Match.com for Petfinder.com and shifts her focus from meeting the man of her dreams to finding her four-legged soulmate.
When Jennifer meets Benny, she instantly knows that he’s “the one.” He wiggles his way into her heart and takes up permanent residence. However, despite his angelic face and calm demeanor, Benny harbors a mischievous side. He steals any food that isn’t nailed down, nearly breaks his neck chasing squirrels, and suffers from chronic allergies and infections, separation anxiety, and a Napoleon complex. But he also eases Jennifer’s “baby fever,” becomes the spokesdog of her business, and is her constant companion as they face life-altering changes and challenges. Over time, Benny helps Jennifer learn to love herself, overcome her shyness, find her human soulmate, and fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a wife and mother, although not in the traditional way. But when Benny faces a life-threatening illness, Jennifer must come to terms with the reality that our time with our fur babies is limited.
Told with loving affection and raw emotion, Mommy’s Boy is the true story of two lost souls who find the unconditional love, companionship, and emotional support they need, in the process forging a profound bond as deep as a mother and her child. It’s a tender and heartfelt tribute to a special little guy who was more than “just a dog,” he was family. It’s also a subtle reminder to cherish every moment we have with our furry friends.
Mommy’s Boy: How My Doggie Soulmate's Love Rescued Me is the winner of a Literary Titan Gold Book Award. It’s 286 pages, including a photo gallery, and is available in hardcover, paperback, and e-book, wherever books are sold. It was officially released on March 9, 2025, the eleventh anniversary of the day Jen brought Benny home.
Mommy’s Boy is available at the following retailers:
Mommy’s Boy is available at the following retailers:
Print—Paperback and Hardcover:
Print—Paperback and Hardcover:
E-book:
If you prefer to support your local independent bookstore, ask them to order a copy of Mommy’s Boy for you.
Click here to purchase a signed copy of Mommy’s Boy.
Check out some reviews of Mommy’s Boy:
Mommy’s Boy is one of the most moving stories I have ever read; it beautifully captures the bond between a pet and their owner. Life works in mysterious ways, and Jennifer and Benny’s story is a testament to how we can receive blessings from unexpected connections. Jennifer’s prayer for companionship was miraculously answered in the form of Benny, and their journey includes emotional ups and downs that lead to profound love and personal growth. The story contains humorous moments that balance the more emotional themes; it will make you smile and cry at the same time. Mommy’s Boy is a heartfelt story about unconditional love, the importance of celebrating life, and the special relationships we build with our pets.
—Luwi Nyakansaila, Readers’ Favorite
Fueled by themes of love, trauma, and grief, Schaeffer’s memoir reflects on her life with Benny, a sweet but rambunctious Westie-Maltese she adopted after struggling with several breakups and deciding “it was time to give my love and affection to someone who truly wanted it, deserved it, and appreciated it.” Dog lovers will immediately relate to the close bond Schaeffer (author of U2: Changing the World Through Rock ‘n’ Roll) develops with Benny. Whether Schaeffer’s recalling Benny’s special “Benny Boogie” dance of welcome or mourning the loss of her “source of comfort during tough times,” this hits home. [Mommy’s Boy is a] loving tribute to the bond between pets and their owners.
—BookLife
Mommy’s Boy is an absolute must-read for dog lovers, but it’s more than just a pet memoir. It's for anyone who's ever rebuilt themselves after heartbreak, found love in unexpected places, or realized that sometimes, the best relationships aren't the ones we're conditioned to chase. It’s a book that makes you laugh, cry, and maybe even hug your dog a little tighter. If you’ve ever known the kind of love that only a dog can give, this book will feel like home.
—Literary Titan
Jennifer Huston Schaeffer’s Mommy’s Boy is a tribute to that special bond between humans and dogs. [This] tender, compassionate memoir is written like a novel, complete with engaging dialogue and descriptive narrative passages that vividly set the stage for the story. The photographs at the end of the book really capture this lovable little bundle of energy. Mommy’s Boy is a great read for dog lovers; tender and heart-wrenching, readers will both laugh and cry as the story progresses.
I loved it!
—Emily-Jane Hills Orford, Readers’ Favorite