Never Leave the Dogs Behind

A Memoir

By: Brianna Madia

Narrated by: Brianna Madia

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

The author of Nowhere for Very Long continues her story with this deeply honest, moving account of a woman walking the line between independence and isolation when she moves to the Southwest desert with nothing and no one but her four dogs.

In her debut memoir, Nowhere for Very Long, Brianna Madia reflected on her life as a nomad, free to roam some of the most beautiful land in America. Now, in Never Leave the Dogs Behind, the van life adherent faces the unfathomable darkness that comes from a life blown apart, her only solace the support of her dogs.

In the wake of a painful, public divorce and the ensuing fallout, Brianna moves from a pared-down van into a pared-down trailer. She reckons with her decision to be alone in the desert, living on a nine-acre plot of undeveloped land on the dusty outskirts of a small town in Utah, accompanied only by her four precious dogs: Bucket, Dagwood, Birdie, and Banjo. As she grapples with the anger, despair, and delicious freedom that comes from being wholly on her own, Brianna wonders where, exactly, the road less traveled has led her.

A powerful and poignant portrait of rebuilding and surviving, Never Leave the Dogs Behind is about finding the courage to start over when the dream life you thought you were living collapses around your feet.

Raw, descriptive, captivating

this book was vivid, beautiful, and deeply personal. Impossible to stop listening and to not feel every emotion in both her words and voice. She did our little, weird-town justice. She brought the desert to life through words. Well done.

Truthful and Brave.

The author is not afraid to tell her story. Heartbreak, self doubt, resilience, love of home, and family (dogs are great) that keeps her moving forward.

Life, Lived.

The depth with which Bri reaches into the struggles of everyday existence is unapologetically raw and real. Together, their beaUTiful journey continues in search of more dessert adventures! As the mighty Colorado cuts a path through the wilderness, so too does Brianna Madia. Bravo!

A beautiful memoir ⭐️

It’s hard to describe this book in a short review but I’ll give it my best shot. It’s a beautiful tale of heartbreak, loneliness, survival, companionship, connection and resilience. Briana leaves it all out on the table, giving us a true glimpse of what it was like to live in her own mind, with her dogs, amidst the cruelty of the internet that haunted her. I’m grateful for women like Briana who have the strength to tell their story, paving the way for others to do the same. Bravo, Briana! Please keep writing ❤️ Can’t wait for the next one.

I didn’t want this book to end

One of the best books I’ve ever read. It felt like a very long poem. I loved her first book as well. I hope she writes a third and a fourth and a fifth. I could have finished this in one day but stretched it over a week because I didn’t want this book to end.