A Dog's Purpose, W. Bruce Cameron

What a great book! It’s hard to go wrong when writing about a dog, from a dog’s perspective, about, well - a dog’s purpose. But this book was more than that, it was wonderfully written and beautifully crafted to teach lessons in a way the reader nods her head and thinks, “Yes, I get that.”

A Dog’s Purpose is a sweet story about the essence of one dog who lives several lives, learning necessary lessons that take him/her (yes, the dog comes back both male and female) through their next life and adventure.

As Toby, the young puppy has a rough start and a short life but learns how to escape, survive, and what love is. Coming back as Bailey, he learns what true love is and all that goes with it, anxiety, fear, disappointment, angst. Bailey lives a wonderful, full life.

Thinking he had lived his “purpose,” the dog was almost disappointed when he came back to life a third time - and this time, as a girl! Ellie would become a decorated hero as a K9 rescue dog. She learns incredible lessons about loyalty and following commands; these lessons will serve her well when she comes back for her last time as Buddy.

A wanderer, Buddy uses all of his lessons from his previous lives to re-find his most influential and desired master, the boy who is now an elderly man, that knew him as Bailey.

A truly wonderful book that made me sad when it ended. An absolute must-read.