Maybe You Shouldn't Have a Dog Buy the book
A children's book for adults (and kids)

Maybe you shouldn't
have a dog.

Written by Sergio Dubois  ·  Illustrated by Elisabeth Clover

A heartfelt picture book that delivers bite-sized truths about dog ownership — for anyone who's ever begged for a puppy, or thought one might "complete their life."

Buy on Amazon

Available now on Amazon, worldwide

Buy one, we give one. For every copy sold, a copy is donated to a shelter, rescue, or vet's office — so the next adopter gets the full picture before they sign the papers.

The running gag

If any of this sounds familiar …

Every page follows the same dare: a habit a lot of dog owners don't think twice about, followed by the gut-check line that gives the book its name.

You're choosing a breed for its cuteness — not for the space, time, or energy you actually have.

…maybe you shouldn't have a dog.

You got the dog "for the kids" and assumed they'd handle it all.

…maybe you shouldn't have a dog.

"Walking the dog" just means letting them pee and turning right back around.

…maybe you shouldn't have a dog.

…plus honest takes on cost, allergies, grooming, moving, and more, inside the book.

Real talk, from the book

We knew a couple in a one-bedroom apartment. The husband had "always wanted" a Great Dane, so one day he brought one home. The crate took up half the living room. The dog spent ten-plus hours a day locked inside while they were at work. Wanting a dog isn't enough — you have to be ready for one.

Inside the pages

Beautiful art, full of heart.

Book page: if you are deciding on a dog breed based on its cuteness rather than what space, time, and energy you have available, maybe you shouldn't have a dog. Illustration: a Great Dane crammed into a tiny studio apartment.
Book page: if you're getting a dog for your kids and think they'll take care of it all on their own, maybe you shouldn't have a dog. Illustration: kids ignoring the dog to play video games while their mom yells, leash still in his mouth.
Book page: if you think walking your dog just means letting them poop and then heading home, maybe you shouldn't have a dog. Illustration: a French bulldog straining on its leash while its owner runs back inside.
Book page: if you don't think dogs need consistent grooming, maybe you shouldn't have a dog. Illustration: a matted, unkempt dog covered in burrs, bugs, and stuck-on junk.

Swipe, or click the arrows, to turn the page.

Data snapshot, 2024

The jokes are for laughs. The stakes are not.

2.9M
dogs entered shelters across the U.S. in 2024
334,000
of them were ultimately euthanized
~11.5% of shelter dogs were euthanized
That share keeps climbing, even as total intake ticks down.

This is the quiet argument underneath every punchline: adopting a dog is a long-term commitment that deserves real thought before the leash comes home.

Advance praise

Truth with teeth, delivered with heart.

Early feedback from veterinarians who reviewed the manuscript before publication.

Maybe You Shouldn't Have a Dog doesn't just point out the problems — it offers compassionate, real-world solutions. That's what turns a clever concept into something meaningful.
This could be the book someone gives their sister-in-law before she buys a Goldendoodle. The one a shelter keeps on the front desk. You're creating a tool, not just a story.
So much more than a clever idea — it's a gift to every future dog, every overwhelmed family, every well-meaning person who just didn't know better.
The book resting on a wooden table beside a cup of coffee and a potted plant.
One big heart, ready to have a dog

And if you've got the time, the space, and the love to give —

…maybe you should have a dog.

Dogs aren't just pets — they're friends, teachers, comedians. They don't need you to be perfect. Just show up, every day, with patience and commitment.

Get your copy

Bring home the book before you bring home the dog.

A picture book for kids, a reality check for grown-ups — available now on Amazon.

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