Disclosure: I received this book to review through
, all the opinions above are 100% my own.
Growing up, I always had a fear of dogs. As a child, we had a dog, but got rid of it because I was that afraid of it.
As an adult, I have had a few dogs, but none that I have connected to like my current dog and fortunately, none of them have died. (They were all rehomed with new families, promise!)
So while I am fortunate to not know what it is like when a pet dies, I can only imagine what will happen when it does happen.
What if your dog died and then came back as a ghost…that could talk? Would you welcome him back with open arms or run away scared to death?
This is the premise of IT’S JUST A DOG, a new novel about love, loss, and one man’s dog who rises up yapping from the grave.
Charlie Keefe is not just your typical dog lover –– he’s a world famous dog painter, a.k.a. “The Picasso of Pooch Portraits”. Unfortunately, Charlie’s beloved muse, Pete, his lovable Jack Russell terrier, has just died. And he’s totally devastated by the loss of his furry best friend.
So, after months of grieving over his dearly departed soulmate, Charlie reluctantly agrees to foster a new puppy –– a cute Cavalier King Charles spaniel named Brownie from the local animal shelter. Soon after, Charlie is surprised to find himself falling head over heels with this new puppy girl, his ‘Rebound Dog’, as he calls her –– as well as being romantically attracted to Janelle Jordan, the head hound at the dogrescue.
But then complications arise when the ghost of his old dog, Pete, mysteriously reappears one night and comes back to haunt him and the new puppy –– setting off a bizarre chain of events that throw Charlie’s life, career, and entire belief system into chaos!
If you’ve enjoyed such classic dog books as The Art of Racing in the Rain and A Dog’s Purpose, then you are bound to find a place in your heart for IT’S JUST A DOG – Part Book, Part Blog, ALL DOG, (Okay, there may be a few cat videos, too, to show some love for the other team!)
My Thoughts:
Initially, I was wondering how an entire book could be about a man losing his dog. I mean, really. A whole book?
But, when man’s said dead dog returns, the story really begins.
It wasn’t comical like I thought it may be. It was actually kind of… I don’t want to say crude, but definitely interesting. I certainly hope my dog doesn’t think of me that way, but at the same time, it definitely gives a new prospective to how a dog may feel or think about their life here on Earth. It really gives a dog’s perspective on life.
Additionally, the bond between human and animal is so genuine and unique and this story really displays the love and bond between animal and human in different forms.
I finished this book in 24 hours. It was a quick read that I enjoyed. If you are an animal lover, you will enjoy this book (probably more if you are a dog lover, but I believe it could easily translate to any other pet one may have a bond with).
About the Author:
Aside from being a dog lover and a dog widower, RUSS RYAN has written and developed screenplays with the Hollywood producers of
American Pie
,
Final Destination
, and
Fireflies in the Garden
. He was also a writer on a really bad teen comedy,
, starring Eugene Levy. This is his first novel.
In addition, he is the creator of
, a vintage movie poster blog that focuses on the greatest artists and illustrators from the 1940′s-1980′s.
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Leila
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