A Dog's Purpose

This is the remarkable story of one endearing dog’s search for his purpose over the course of several lives. More than just another charming dog story, A Dog’s Purpose touches on the universal quest for an answer to life's most basic question: Why are we here?

Surprised to find himself reborn as a rambunctious golden-haired puppy after a tragically short life as a stray mutt, Bailey’s search for his new life’s meaning leads him into the loving arms of 8-year-old Ethan. During their countless adventures Bailey joyously discovers how to be a good dog.

But this life as a beloved family pet is not the end of Bailey’s journey. Reborn as a puppy yet again, Bailey wonders—will he ever find his purpose?

Heartwarming, insightful, and often laugh-out-loud funny, A Dog's Purpose is not only the emotional and hilarious story of a dog's many lives, but also a dog's-eye commentary on human relationships and the unbreakable bonds between man and man's best friend. This moving and beautifully crafted story teaches us that love never dies, that our true friends are always with us, and that every creature on earth is born with a purpose.

Being a sucker for puppies, I am also always a sucker for this kind of book: one told from the perspective of a dog. Generally it's a pretty safe be that I will love these types of books, and this one is no exception.

I liked this one better in concept than in reality compared to other dog novels because although you have to live through a dog dying three (THREE!) times, the reincarnation aspect of it makes it a little more bearable. You get a glimpse into the different types of pet owners: the good, and the bad, not so much the ugly (thank goodness, in my mind the ugly would be organized dog fights and abuse and stuff, which would probably make me cry, puke, put the book down, and never go back). The inevitable death of the dog at the end of these stories are always bitter-sweet. Generally, the dog lived a good long life and they make me cry (but a good cry, not an unhappy one), but it's still sad, and makes me think of the mortality of my own puppy.... and that makes me cry more.

I couldn't help comparing this book to one by Garth Stein called The Art of Racing in the Rain. If I were to be highly critical of this novel, I would probably say that Stein's novel is far better. In The Art of Racing in the Rain, I cried at several points (not just when the pooch inevitably kicks the bucket), laughed at others, and came away really feeling like I understood dogs better. A Dog's Purpose is entertaining, and I did cry at parts, but I wasn't attached to the humans enough to get emotional over their troubles, or feel the same way about them that the dog does, but I enjoyed it anyway.

I'd recommend it for any dog lover! (but maybe read The Art of Racing in the Rain after this one, that way you won't be disappointed)

Also, look forward to a review of the sequel to this one entitled A Dog's Journey, which is currently only available in Hardcover in bookstores, but I ordered a Trade Paper cover from my stepson's scholastic book order (holla!)