Every Life Stage w/ Tracy Beckerman

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A Family Is Not Complete Without A Dog

About The Episode

Tracy Beckerman had one dog after another growing up. From Honey and Sugar, a golden retriever and white lab they had at the same time, to others that came after – she felt the unconditional love of dogs right away.

When Tracy started a family of her own, she was fielding requests to get a dog from her kids. Her husband had also grown up with dogs, and they both agreed dogs are an essential part of a family.

“Life could not be complete without a dog at your feet during dinner, waiting for you to drop some food, or a dog in the yard running to catch a frisbee, or a dog going through the garbage and then yakking on your rug,” says Tracy.

When the two kids reached 5 and 7 years old, Tracy and her husband decided the time was right. Riley came into their life and the kids grew up together with the dog, both growing from little kids and a puppy to teenagers and an older dog. In the process, they became very close.

While Tracy initially thought getting a dog would mainly be for the kids and she would just take on the responsibilities (feeding, cleaning, and so forth), she became best friends with Riley, too. While the kids would be away at school, they would bond together at home.

Through this evolution, Tracy saw a lot of parallels. Both the kids and Riley needed her constantly as a Mom at first, but then became less dependent as they got older (but then, of course, all come back in the end). She also noticed that as a parent it can go by so fast with your kids, of them growing up from a kid to college, and the same thing happens with your pup turning into a senior dog. You realize how fast it went and want it back. But you also can appreciate how many happy memories you have, and in her family’s case how much of that is infused with the dog helping track those stages as well.

While Riley is now gone, as well as recently their dog after, Monty, there are still lessons to be taken away after. Tracy is an author and columnist who has always seen humor as a way to cope and push through life. Her new book, Barking At The Moon, looks at her family’s time with Riley and the beautiful rollercoaster of time they spent together.

About The Guest - Tracy Beckerman

Tracy Beckerman is a book author, columnist, and speaker. She is well-known for her Lost In Suburbia syndicated humor column and has written several books including Rebel without a Minivan, Lost in Suburbia - A Momoir, and her latest Barking At The Moon. She has been featured on the Today Show, CBS, and Good Day New York. She has also received awards such as for the Writer’s Guild of America, among others.

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