Rona Maynard was looking for The Next Big Thing. She didn’t expect it would wag its tail.

In her recent memoir, Starter Dog: My Path to Joy, Belonging and Loving This World, the former editor of Chatelaine magazine shares the story of how a rescue mutt helped her let go of her old life and start anew. Her experience could prove instructive for anyone, at any time. But it’s particularly useful for those of us who have retired from the workforce and may be struggling to find a new rhythm.