You're Not a Real Dog Owner Until…

Part of You're Not a Real . . .
By Jason Chatfield and Scott Dooley
Published by Andrews McMeel Publishing
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

The definitive reflection of what it is to be a dog owner/parent, from dog park politics to inevitable messes and all the fun and love in between. Written and illustrated by two of The New Yorker magazine's best-loved cartoonists, this hilarious collection is a must-have for any dog lover.
 

This book presents a delightful collection of observations about having a dog from award-winning comedian/cartoonist duo Scott Dooley and Jason Chatfield. These hilarious cartoons pair New Yorker-style illustrations with relatable details about having a dog. For example, you're not a real dog owner until...
 
  • You have to nix the word "walk" from your vocabulary as if it holds dark magical powers.
  • There are dog park friends who you only know by their dog’s name.
  • You've had to mediate a cease-fire between your dog and the Roomba.
  • Your dog has "protected you loudly" from thousands of "potential intruders" who've dared to walk past your front door (most often during Zoom calls).
  • Your dog eats a healthier, more balanced and nutrient-rich diet than you have ever eaten in your life.
  • You have a voice you only use with your dog.
  • You also have a voice for your dog.
     

A cross between The Far Side and For Dummies, this series offers insights into worlds we live in. Whether it's where you live, what you love or even who you are, the "You're Not a Real..." series lets you know you're not alone in doing things some may think are crazy that are totally normal to you and your tribe!

About The Authors

Jason Chatfield

Jason is an award-winning Cartoonist, Author & Comedian based in New York City. His work has appeared in The New Yorker, Esquire, MAD Magazine, Variety, Wired, The Weekly Humorist, American Bystander, and Air Mail, among others. His art has been exhibited in France, the UK, Australia, and the US and in books published by Penguin Random House, Harper Collins, & Humorist Media. His latest book with Andrews McMeel Publishing will be released in Fall of 2026. 

He has lectured on the creative process at Stanford University, The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) & The Cosmos Club in Washington DC, as well as multiple sold-out lectures with Lectures On Tap. 

For 16 years, he has been an internationally syndicated comic strip cartoonist, writing and drawing the iconic 102-year-old strip, Ginger Meggs, published daily through Andrews McMeel Syndication. Chatfield is a past President of both the National Cartoonists Society (Est. 1946) and the Australian Cartoonists Association (Est. 1924) and is the Cartoon Editor for the Metropolitan Review. 

His best-selling weekly newsletter New York Cartoons is one of Substack's Featured Publications for 2023 and 2024, with over 19,000+ weekly subscribers. He is also the portrait illustrator for Waking Up, the meditation app created by Sam Harris.

Scott Dooley

Scott Dooley is an Australian comedian and writer based in New York. He has toured the world as a comedian, released a critically acclaimed stand-up special and performed alongside the world’s biggest comics. Scott regularly contributes to The New Yorker, appears on television, radio and podcasts around the globe. He has written a graphic novel and once saw a fish in the wild die of natural causes. Despite all this experience this is the best bio he could come up with.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing (July 29, 2025)
  • Length: 128 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781524892357

Browse Related Books

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images

You're Not a Real Dog Owner Until…

Part of You're Not a Real . . .
By Jason Chatfield and Scott Dooley
Published by Andrews McMeel Publishing
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
BACK TO TOP