Claire Cook

Because nobody knows you better than somebody who knew you way back then.

— Claire Cook

Everybody does stupid things in life. Some of us more than others. You think you're going to get away with it. Or one or both of you just stop thinking. But it happens. And when it does, you can keep drinking it like poison, or you can put it behind you and go make the most of the rest of your life.

— Claire Cook

He looks good for a while, but ya know, ya can’t shine a sneaker.

— Claire Cook

I confronted the fact that I was not only talking to a dog, but answering for one.

— Claire Cook

I'd spent so many years doing things I didn't really want to do for people I didn't really like.

— Claire Cook

If I didn’t have a job, I might have stayed in bed until I rotted.

— Claire Cook

If plan A doesn't work, the alphabet has 25 more letters - 204 if you're in Japan.

— Claire Cook

I heard a choking sound behind me. When I looked back, Cannoli was hanging from the backpack harness with her hind legs circling frantically in the air. She looked like she was riding a bike just above ground level. "Cannoli," I yelled. I unhooked her and made sure she was breathing on her own. When I tried to get her back in the backpack, she whimpered. I talked to her soothingly yet firmly, then tried again. This time she started howling like I was hurting her. People turned and stared as they walked by. "What are you looking at?" I said to one couple. I suddenly felt true remorse for every time I'd stared at a parent with a toddler throwing a tantrum. Furthermore, I made a vow to be a better aunt to Julia's kids if I ever made it out of this parking garage. Furthermore, I pleaded with Cannoli one more time.

— Claire Cook

I just figured that was the life I picked, so I had to make the most of it.

— Claire Cook

I pulled my suitcase out of the backseat of my bug, along with Cannoli's new travel case, a spiffy animal print pet backpack on wheels. When I first saw it, I thought maybe the dog was supposed to wear the backpack, but it turned out the person wore the backpack with the dog in it.

— Claire Cook