The Dog I Loved

A Novel

By: Susan Wilson

Narrated by: Christina Delaine

New York Times best-selling author Susan Wilson is back another signature heartwarming audiobook - one that begs the question: Can a dog lead the way to finding one's humanity?

After spending years in prison for a crime she didn’t intend to commit, Rose Collins is suddenly free. Someone who knows about the good work she has done - training therapy dogs while serving time - has arranged for her early release. This mysterious benefactor has even set her up with a job in the coastal Massachusetts community of Gloucester, on the edge of Dogtown, a place of legend and, for the first time since Rosie's whole world came crashing down, hope. There she works to rebuild her life with the help of Shadow, a stray dog who appears one rainy night and refuses to leave Rose’s side.

Meghan Custer is a wheelchair-bound war veteran who used to be hopeless, too. Living at home with her devoted but stifling parents felt a lot like being in prison, in fact. But ever since she was matched with a service dog named Shark, who was trained in a puppy-to-prisoner rehabilitation program, Meghan has a brand new outlook. Finally, she can live on her own. Go to work. And maybe, with Shark by her side, even find love again.

Two strong women on a journey toward independence whose paths collide in extraordinary ways. Two dogs who somehow manage to save them both. A tale of survival and a testament to the human spirit, The Dog I Loved is an emotional and inspiring audiobook that no listener will soon forget.

©2019 Susan Wilson (P)2019 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“With a deft hand and keen eye, Susan Wilson brilliantly illuminates the emotional power of dogs to lighten our hearts and transform our lives.” (Nick Trout, New York Times best-selling author of The Wonder of Lost Causes)

"Broken souls are made whole in this beautiful story about the power of connecting. Susan Wilson does a gorgeous job of inhabiting her characters - both human and canine - in a book that captivates on every page. The Dog I Loved is tender, warm, insightful, and ultimately, very human." (Ellen Meister, author of The Other Life)

"The Dog I Loved is gorgeous and wrenching, psychologically astute and compassionate. I have always wanted to know what dogs think, and now I do. Susan Wilson gets into the hearts and minds of her complicated, brilliantly drawn characters, both human and canine. She has always been a writer of tremendous heart and insight; this is her best book yet." (Luann Rice, best-selling author of The Secret Language of Sisters)

Interesting Story Lines

I normally really enjoy her books, but this one was only around a 3.25-3.5 for me. The individual story threads were good, but I think that the way Rosie's story was told in flashback pieces didn't work as well. What really bothered me was that her books are geared to dog lovers, yet there was an animal cruelty aspect to this book that made it difficult. I think what made it worse was that you knew it was coming as it was referenced early on in the flashbacks, but it took a long time to get there and so it was always in the back of my mind that this was coming. There was a great quote in the book that I agree with 100%: "Sometimes the best part of the day is dog kisses."

very enjoyable

Loved the main character, and was with her, rooting her in the process of re-creation and vindication. The idea of a reincarnating dog was a little ... thick ... but some people enjoy silly notions like that. Anyway, good book.

Excellent

Loved the story of strong women realizing their strength in difficult life situations. Loved the narrator!

Great read

Such a wonderful story of the connection of a dog and of true friends!! Beautifully written.. as usual.

Most Surprising

A book, after just a couple of hours, I found harsh and unpleasant. I discontinued reading this tale, assured it could not lend to my belief in the kindness of God’s most endearing creation. I returned to the reading and did discover inherent in the story a gentle forgiving nature expected in a book called, THE DOG I LOVED