A Dog's Purpose: Heartwarming Novel About Life Through a Dog's Eyes - Perfect for Animal Lovers & Book Clubs (Great Gift Idea for Pet Owners)

I must share my dog story. It's cathartic and necessary therapy for me after reading this book.The day we moved into our home we adopted a five year old Doberman mix named Mari. He was all Doberman at heart. Wise, very protective, powerful, unquestionably loyal. I had two young children and a stressful career as he began his decline into old age. To this day I deeply regret my lack of patience with him through those months. After a particularly difficult day for Mari my husband and I made THE DECISION and made a final call to the vet. On a Wednesday morning in November of 2000 we put ol' faithful Mari to sleep.Here's haunting parts I and II.Part I. The Tuesday night before we put Mari down my seven year old daughter and I were sitting at the kitchen table. We were discussing what was going to happen tomorrow and that it was his time. It wasn't without tears. Mari was in his bed, next to the kitchen table. A few minutes into our discussion he suddenly sat up from his bed, looked me in the eyes and began barking...at me. Not a low woof for a moment, but two full minutes of barking that sounded like demands or pleading or both. What was he telling me? OMG. What are you saying Mari? Are you forgiving me for not being a more patient caregiver or telling me to move the pack on without you? Are you angry or scared? Do you know what's going to happen tomorrow morning? I draped myself around and him and sobbed.Part II. The Thursday night after we'd "done the deed" my five year old son informs me there's a dog outside that wants to come in. It's a raw, rainy night. I look outside and see a Golden Retriever trot by the window. Look again a minute later and don't see him. I inform my son that I was sure he had a home and was on his way back (truth be told I just couldn't deal with any more pet drama). Next morning, I get ready for work, grab the car keys, open the door to leave and see a golden head and a wildly wagging tail at the breezeway door. I open the door and in bounds the golden, through the breezeway, into the kitchen, up the back staircase and into my sleeping daughters room. Soon the house is awake staring stunned at this beautiful, exuberant animal. Every bone in his body was asking us the question "Why aren't you guys psyched I'm home? This is totally awesome!" The kids cried, quite frightened by the drama unfolding. My husband and I stood, mouths ajar. I went to work and my husband called the dog officer. We were all certain there was some desperate family looking for him. Ten days later the dog officer called. No one had claimed this gorgeous, healthy six month old full-bred Golden Retriever. Did we want him? We celebrated Thanksgiving with our new puppy that my son named Lucky.Lucky left us as abruptly as he came seven years later. He had his annual checkup and the vet congratulated us on getting his weight down. Three weeks later an ER vet would tell me he had leukemia, everywhere. Our family was shattered, gutted actually. The vet waited so we could all be together and we put him to sleep that night. This was four years ago and I still cry as I write this story. I suppose I'll never recover from loosing my "third child". I have never loved an animal (and I've had many, many dozens) as thoroughly as I loved and still love my gentle, playful, wise, kind, faithful Lucky. He gave us such joy. He fulfilled his purpose and never burdened me with the challenges of his old age.For obvious reasons I'll never, ever forget this book. It left me breathless.Did Mr. Cameron have a Mari-Lucky in his life too?On a happier note, two rescue "characters" that were shipped together in the same cage from Puerto Rico now complete our family. :-)