Birdie & Harlow

Life, Loss, and Loving My Dog So Much I Didn’t Want Kids (…Until I Did)

By: Taylor Wolfe

Narrated by: Taylor Wolfe

“In this hilarious, uplifting memoir, Wolfe describes her intense bond with Harlow...as she grapples with the chaos of her 20s, marriage, and eventually new motherhood.”—Washington Post

“An engaging debut with a lighthearted memoir of her tender relationship with her dog, Harlow, and her rocky path to becoming a mother. . . . A sweet homage to a beloved pet.”—Kirkus Reviews

The funny and poignant story of one woman’s wonderfully codependent relationship with her dog–and what he taught her about chosen family and the reward of motherhood.

Birdie & Harlow is the story of a baby and a dog. But motherhood is never quite that simple. In Taylor Wolfe’s case, it’s a long, zigzagging and winding road.

Meant to be a last-minute anniversary gift for her then boyfriend (and now husband), the highly-energetic and loud-mouthed Vizla puppy named Harlow turns out to be the best snap decision twenty-year-old Taylor ever makes—and the beginning of the most epic friendship she ever has. As Wolfe’s resistance to 9-5’s and traditional adulthood grows, Harlow becomes the perfect companion for her eccentricities in a world that thrives on conformity. Wolfe’s twenties—full of pitfalls and surprises, sad days and silver linings—led her to the realization that life is too short to spend your days in a crate (or a cubicle), that parks are meant to be enjoyed, and most importantly, she wants to be a mom. But really, isn't she one already?

A charming and touching memoir, Birdie & Harlow is a tribute to the many expressions of modern motherhood, to both human and fur babies alike. Taylor’s story reminds all of us that life will surprise you and that families should come in every shape and size.

©2022 Taylor Wolfe (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

So special

I started listening to this book 4 weeks postpartum, which was either the best timing…or the worst-I’m leaning into it as it was meant to be. If you’ve ever loved a pet, this book is for you.

Loved it! Laughed and CRIED!

Loved it!! Laughed and CRIED! Listened to the last hour and a half on the couch with my “Har”(Harley) dog who is NOT allowed on the couch. 😭❤️🐾

Hilarious and heartbreaking

I’m a follower of Taylor’s on Instagram and have been since the beginning of 2021 or so. I’m not really a person who’s into “influencers”, but she is different. I love her quirky characters, her recommendations of cheese (and other products) and brutal honesty in motherhood. This book was just another reason to love Taylor. I laughed and cried more times than I want to admit. Thank you for sharing your heart (Har) with us, Taylor.

What a great book full of humor and heartbreak

I was looking forward to listening to this book because I love Taylor’s humor and her love of dogs but was not ready to have to drive faster home as I listened to it because I was fighting big ugly tears and decided driving and bawling don’t mix.
I absolutely loved this book and the narration was perfect.

I’m obsessed

I loved this book from the first page until the end. I also cried way too much for a book but man is it well written, funny, and sweet.

Crying and laughing all the way

The parallels to my life’s ups and downs were uncanny and Taylor so eloquently and hilariously described how it feels to navigate this monumental moments. Once I started listening I couldn’t stop. Sobbing and laughing all the way.

Love her and this book…

This is the first book I’ve cried at in a long time 💗💗 Good for a laugh and a cry.

Wasn't expecting the tears

I knew I would laugh with this book, but the tears were unexpected. Taylor's human & storytelling drew me in - My favorite parts were the tender motherhood moments.

❤️

I love that Taylor was the narrator- it wouldn’t be the same if anyone else was.
Geez, this audiobook made me cry so many times. Both/ for reasons related to love to a dog and all hardship connected with the parenthood.
I have no idea how Tay was able to read it out loud- I would cry as a baby!

Amazing

What a wonderful storyteller! Thank you, Taylor for sharing your heartbreak and humor with us all. It was very relatable for me in many ways.