Literary Executive Review: Marsha S. Denison, “My Name Is Buttons: This Is My Story”

by ReadersMagnet | January 30, 2026 | Literary Executive Review | 0 Comments

My Name Is Buttons: This Is My Story by Marsha S. Denison is a heartfelt and tender animal memoir told entirely from the perspective of Buttons, a rescued dog whose life unfolds with emotion, innocence, and sincerity. The story traces Buttons’ life from abandonment and rescue to her final years, offering a deeply personal, empathetic glimpse into the profound bond between humans and animals.

The book’s design immediately reflects its emotional core. The cover features a painted portrait of Buttons – a dark-coated dog with warm, expressive eyes and soft, textured fur. The brushwork captures both strength and vulnerability, emphasizing Buttons’ personality before the reader even opens the book. The title, presented in bold red serif typography against a light background, stands out with clarity. The subtitle This Is My Story is written in a script font that softens the tone and reinforces the personal, reflective nature of a memoir told through a dog’s voice.

The back cover continues this grounded, intimate aesthetic. It includes the author’s photograph – a warm and kind portrait of Marsha Denison – along with her biography, which highlights her background in Boston and Newton, her education in gerontology, and her previous publications. The design choice to pair the author’s story with Buttons’ emphasizes their connection, reinforcing that Buttons’ voice is guided by a woman with experience, compassion, and a genuine love for storytelling.

Inside the book, the narrative begins with a dedication that immediately sets a grateful and loving tone. Buttons dedicates her story to “all dog lovers who have given us homes, family, friends, and love,” as well as to Marsha and Phil for rescuing and caring for her. This establishes the memoir as a celebration of the human–animal bond. The dedication emphasizes gratitude, warmth, and connection – central themes that carry through the entire narrative.

The opening chapter, Lost and Found, enhances this emotional depth. The inclusion of quotes – one reminding readers of the interconnectedness of humans and animals, and another from Charles Schulz declaring, “Happiness is a warm puppy” – frames the chapter in reflection and positivity. Buttons begins by acknowledging that she is sharing her story from beyond her earthly life. This narrative approach adds poignancy without sadness, positioning the memoir as a celebration rather than a lament.

Her story begins with a moment of trauma: being pushed from a car into the cold. The writing conveys Buttons’ fear vividly, using expressions like “Mom, MOM!! I was scared” and “My body was shivering and I felt disoriented.” The recollection of being separated from her mother and siblings evokes natural sympathy. The contrast between the warmth of her early life – snuggling with her mother and siblings – and the harshness of being abandoned in the snow is striking. The simplicity of Buttons’ words adds authenticity; readers feel as though they are experiencing each moment through her eyes.

The following pages highlight the challenges of survival. Buttons describes scavenging for food, encountering human environments she doesn’t understand, and struggling through snow that made her “paws hurt,” and her “tail feel frozen.” The visual elements – photographs of Buttons as a puppy – strengthen these moments by grounding her story in real-life imagery. This combination of narrative and photography gives readers a complete emotional and visual experience.

The chapter Where Was I? introduces an important shift. Buttons encounters kind humans for the first time. A person gently calls, “Here doggie, here doggie!” and reassures her, “I won’t hurt you.” This moment marks the turning point from fear to hope. She is picked up and brought to safety, eventually arriving at an animal shelter. The narrative describes her placement in a pen, the smell of food, barking animals, and being evaluated by staff. These everyday shelter moments are portrayed with sensitivity and clarity, helping readers feel the confusion and hope Buttons experiences simultaneously.

In Animal Shelter and Adoption, Buttons receives a new identity – case number 59356, named “Poppí,” listed as a twelve-week-old Cocker Spaniel mix. Her personality is described as “happy-go-lucky” and “super cute,” and the text includes a photograph of the actual shelter record. This detail adds authenticity and emotional resonance, showing the real paper document that marked the beginning of her new life. The combination of realism and first-person storytelling strengthens the memoir’s appeal to animal lovers.

The subsequent pages chronicle her time in the shelter – being evaluated, receiving shots, and waiting for potential adopters. Buttons expresses fear of being unwanted, sadness when people walked past her pen, and confusion about her future. The writing is simple but impactful, mirroring how an animal might interpret these moments. The story later shows a hopeful turn when a lovely couple with experience caring for dogs expresses interest in adopting her. Buttons’ reaction – wanting to bark and say “I would be just as good as an old dog and smarter!” – demonstrates her endearing personality and longing for belonging.

My Name Is Buttons: This Is My Story is a gentle, emotional, and heartfelt memoir that captures the resilience of a beloved dog and the love of the humans who cared for her. Its combination of real photographs, authentic shelter documents, and expressive storytelling makes it a compelling read for animal lovers and memoir enthusiasts alike.

Order your copy on Amazon. Learn more about the author and her works at https://www.marshadenison.com/.