Who Gets the Dog? is more than just a practical book filled with useful tips about separation, divorce and family law in Australia. It’s got all that in spades, of course, but what Kathryn Hodges achieves within these pages is to inspire those on the brink of, or deep within, the breakdown of a relationship to open their eyes to the possibilities. The possibilities of empathy, understanding, peaceful division, and of course saving bucket loads of money on legal fees! ‘Kathryn’s book has an undercurrent of compassion, something sadly absent in the cut and thrust of family law, and certainly rare amongst the lawyers who ply that trade. Having worked with many clients in this space over the years, I wish this book had been available then to give to them. At least some of them could have saved some of their hard-earned dollars … and hard-to-heal scars after reading it.

Warrick Bidwell, warrickbidwell.com

Kathryn Hodges has captured the very essence of family conflict and then, in a very easy-to-read way, provided an excellent alternative. This book needs to be published and made available en masse. My hope is that every single person going through separation gets the opportunity to read it. It really has the potential to change lives.’

Judge Steve Middleton, Judge of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia

‘Let’s face it; there’s still stigma around a relationship breaking down. Especially when there’s kids involved and not to mention the aforementioned hound. People are going to come out of the woodwork to give you their horror stories, their results based on their experience, and many of those people are going to be highly wounded as part of their experience. What Kathryn does with this book is help you to put those much needed headphones on and sit in the process in your peace. As soon as you start reading, you will be able to breathe out knowing that there is a way out of the distress. ‘One of my favourite quotes of all time is by Sara Henderson, the amazing pastoralist and author who ran Bullo River Station in the Northern Territory: “Don’t wait for the light at the end of the tunnel, go down there and light the bloody thing yourself.” This book is you taking back your right to calm by lighting the bloody thing yourself. I wish you well on your journey to your new normal.’

Amanda Foy, The Emotional Strength Trainer