The Dog Who Danced

By: Susan Wilson

Narrated by: Fred Berman, Christina Delaine

"Multiple hankies, dog lovers…this is an emotional read." –Library Journal

If there's been a theme in Justine Meade's life, it's loss. Her mother, her home, even her son. The one bright spot in her loss-filled life, the partner she could always count on, was Mack, her grey and black Sheltie – that is, until she is summoned back to her childhood home after more than twenty years away.

Ed and Alice Parmalee are mourning a loss of their own. Seven years after their daughter was taken from them, they're living separate lives together. Dancing around each other, and their unspeakable heartbreak, unable to bridge the chasm left between them. When they find a little black and gray dog by the side of the road, they take him in.

Fiercely loyal, acutely perceptive and guided by a herd dog's instinct, Mack has a way of bringing out the best in his humans. Whether it's as Justine's partner, or just the ebb and flow of a family's rhythms, it's as though the little Shetland Sheepdog was born to bring people together.

Everyone needs Mack. But to whom does the little dog who danced belong?

©2012 Susan Wilson (P)2012 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“If you are a dog lover looking for a good read, you should definitely pick up a copy...this is a heartfelt story.” —Phillyburg.com

“A superior entry in the growing genre of canine-centric fiction.” —Booklist

“A heartwarming tale.” —Publishers Weekly

If you love dogs

This book moved me because it shows how the love of a dog can change how people think and act toward each other. The suspense builds right to the end.

loved it

well written and narrated. you can just feel the characters pain at losing the dog and the dog being left behind by the stinking trucker doesn't care. and that there are still Good Samaritans out there in the world it will only take care of your dog but help you find him again. people are basically good and trusting in that helps in times like this.

Great Road Trip Entertainment

My mother and I listened to this book over the course of a weekend road trip. We're both "dog people," but I don't like overly sentimental books or blatantly manipulative tear-jerkers. This book had an interesting story that kept our interest to the very end. In fact, we listened to the last several minutes sitting in our driveway.

For those of you who don't like sad endings, this one shouldn't be a problem for you. Without spoiling it for you, I can say I felt the ending made sense and was actually what my mother and I had both said would be the best solution to a difficult problem.

The main characters in this book were well rounded and interesting, and even secondary characters who started out as stereotypes were mostly revealed as flawed people who had reasons for the things they did.

I enjoyed this book greatly and will look for other titles by this author.

Buy a fresh box of kleenex

Vague spoiler alert: It has an emotional, but happy ending.

The story kept me on edge. I finished it in two days because I had to know what happened next.

I really liked the narration. The different voice for the dog's thoughts was great.

The only thing I didn't like, is the family dynamic. Why are all step mothers evil? (ok, I may be sensitive because I am a step mother). Also, I that I think she let the father and step brother off the hook too easily. But I guess the story would have had to evolve differently if the family had been different.

Overall, a very good book.

Loved!

I loved this book. The characters were real. so heartwarming. There are always people who care.