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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, this 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, this book 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 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.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member womansheart
It's a dog's life ... really!
[A Dog's Purpose] which I received as an Early Reviewer Book, is a book that grew on me as I read it. I am tender-hearted when it comes to animals, their lives and their treatment by human beings.
I am glad that I kept going with this one after the first part of the
It helps if you embrace, or at least set aside your disbelief in, reincarnation, for the period of time in which you are reading [A Dog's Purpose]. I became more and more interested in what this dog was going to experience next in life and what might happen in the next life he lived. He is quite philosophical and focuses on what he is here for and what his purpose is in life.
I highly recommend this book and my admiration goes out to the author, [[W. Bruce Cameron]] for writing a book with four plots and using reincarnation as a bridge to link them together.
[A Dog's Purpose] which I received as an Early Reviewer Book, is a book that grew on me as I read it. I am tender-hearted when it comes to animals, their lives and their treatment by human beings.
I am glad that I kept going with this one after the first part of the
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story, because the protagonist is the dog and the voice is the dog's and the thoughts expressed by the dog are interesting, touching, delightful and sometimes funny to read.It helps if you embrace, or at least set aside your disbelief in, reincarnation, for the period of time in which you are reading [A Dog's Purpose]. I became more and more interested in what this dog was going to experience next in life and what might happen in the next life he lived. He is quite philosophical and focuses on what he is here for and what his purpose is in life.
I highly recommend this book and my admiration goes out to the author, [[W. Bruce Cameron]] for writing a book with four plots and using reincarnation as a bridge to link them together.
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LibraryThing member Heidithereader
I agree with the lady who said she wishes she could give it six stars. Seriously one of the best books I ever read.
I got an early reader's copy because my friend works at a bookstore. She gave it to me because I recently had to put down my 14 year old pug and was a total wreck. Seriously, this was
I cried, but it was like, happy tears, because it truly made me realize that though my dog is gone, I get to keep how much we loved each other, always. It's corny to say it, but this book actually changed my life. In the book, the dog keeps coming back, as a dog, and that means, he can come back to his humans. I don't want to spoil any of what happens, but I honestly believe that what this author says in this fictional world might really be true. It would explain a lot about how dogs connect with us, and how they understand us, and how much they take care of us. We think we rescue them, but I think they rescue us.
Seriously, if you ever loved a dog, run, don't walk to get your hands on this. I'm so grateful it was given to me, it's about the only thing that has made me feel better about losing my best friend.
I got an early reader's copy because my friend works at a bookstore. She gave it to me because I recently had to put down my 14 year old pug and was a total wreck. Seriously, this was
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the greatest dog book I've ever read, and I've read a lot of them. This was so much better than "The Art of Racing in the Rain" which I had liked, but the dog in this book is like, a real dog. He doesn't understand words except for things like "car ride" or "biscuit" but he totally understands everything that's going on with his people. I cried, but it was like, happy tears, because it truly made me realize that though my dog is gone, I get to keep how much we loved each other, always. It's corny to say it, but this book actually changed my life. In the book, the dog keeps coming back, as a dog, and that means, he can come back to his humans. I don't want to spoil any of what happens, but I honestly believe that what this author says in this fictional world might really be true. It would explain a lot about how dogs connect with us, and how they understand us, and how much they take care of us. We think we rescue them, but I think they rescue us.
Seriously, if you ever loved a dog, run, don't walk to get your hands on this. I'm so grateful it was given to me, it's about the only thing that has made me feel better about losing my best friend.
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LibraryThing member Johnnymacdee
Three Words, July 6, 2010
By John C. McDonnell
This review is from: A Dog's Purpose (Hardcover)
I received a publisher's advance copy of W. Bruce Cameron's first novel, "A Dog's Purpose". In a word? Magnificent. OK, two words. Brilliant. Actually three. Soul.
Bruce Cameron has brought forth a
The humor is real and effortless. You will find yourself laughing out loud. You will also cry. Real tears born out of your life's memories of pets past and the essential intertwining of souls that exists in no other relationship.
That bond (from the dog's perspective) is what brings the true love in this novel to life.
Though many dream of writing that one great novel, the difference here is that Bruce Cameron has done it right out of the gate and I have a feeling that there is plenty more where that came from. An essential, five star must read.
By John C. McDonnell
This review is from: A Dog's Purpose (Hardcover)
I received a publisher's advance copy of W. Bruce Cameron's first novel, "A Dog's Purpose". In a word? Magnificent. OK, two words. Brilliant. Actually three. Soul.
Bruce Cameron has brought forth a
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magnificent, touching piece of a soul's journey through life in search of purpose and meaning. At times hilarious and yet other times heart breaking, Bruce brilliantly weaves a story of a dog and its quest that is told with such heart and humanity that anyone who has ever had a dog (or any pet , for that matter) feels that this truly is how they see us and the world in which they live. The humor is real and effortless. You will find yourself laughing out loud. You will also cry. Real tears born out of your life's memories of pets past and the essential intertwining of souls that exists in no other relationship.
That bond (from the dog's perspective) is what brings the true love in this novel to life.
Though many dream of writing that one great novel, the difference here is that Bruce Cameron has done it right out of the gate and I have a feeling that there is plenty more where that came from. An essential, five star must read.
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LibraryThing member wakethesun
Cameron's novel, A Dog's Purpose, tracks the soul of a dog as it moves from body to body. First born in the woods to a feral mother, he lives a depressing, short life before being reborn as a golden retriever and ending up with Ethan, a loving boy with whom the dog forms a strong bond with. From
I honestly wasn't sure how to rate this book. It certainly isn't a 5, certainly isn't a 1, but beyond that, it was all over the place.
After the first 54 pages I put it down in disgust and strongly considered leaving it there. For all of the great dog people the author thanks, he certainly does plenty to encourage negative stereotypes that many have worked tirelessly to get rid of. In the dog's first life as a stray pup, he is picked up and taken to the home of a woman who keeps a bunch of strays in her yard - a well meaning lady, but a hoarder none the less. For the large amount of dogs kept together there is little disagreement. That is, until a vicious pit bull shows up. The pit bull attacks the alpha, gains control, and uses force to exert his authority. He quickly goes after the main character's sister, leading to the dog defending his sibling and being horribly injured. Soon after, the horrible, heartless people at the local spca show up, take all of the dogs, and immediately put down the dog because of his injuries.
A pit bull, really? Did the author not learn a single thing from those he cited as great sources for learning about dog behavior?
After a few days, I decided to force myself to press on. What followed was a quick read, only a few hours from start to finish. The novel was largely predictable, especially the conclusion, but it never makes any hint of being anything but. There is a lot of death, obviously, which easily can cause many shed tears (I'm a bit of a crier, even when I know something is going to happen). There are some flaws in the behavior and logic, sure, but not nearly as much as I expected from a book written from the point of view of a dog.
Overall, the book contains a good message, and has left me with an odd feeling, making me look deeper into my (already intense) relationship with my dogs. If you aren't a crier it would make a great beach read of a book to take along to the dog or children's park. I'm glad I've read it, but I don't think I would suggest it to others. I was expecting a deeper insight into a dog's psyche, something about more profound, and left empty handed.
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there the dog goes on to live two other lives.I honestly wasn't sure how to rate this book. It certainly isn't a 5, certainly isn't a 1, but beyond that, it was all over the place.
After the first 54 pages I put it down in disgust and strongly considered leaving it there. For all of the great dog people the author thanks, he certainly does plenty to encourage negative stereotypes that many have worked tirelessly to get rid of. In the dog's first life as a stray pup, he is picked up and taken to the home of a woman who keeps a bunch of strays in her yard - a well meaning lady, but a hoarder none the less. For the large amount of dogs kept together there is little disagreement. That is, until a vicious pit bull shows up. The pit bull attacks the alpha, gains control, and uses force to exert his authority. He quickly goes after the main character's sister, leading to the dog defending his sibling and being horribly injured. Soon after, the horrible, heartless people at the local spca show up, take all of the dogs, and immediately put down the dog because of his injuries.
A pit bull, really? Did the author not learn a single thing from those he cited as great sources for learning about dog behavior?
After a few days, I decided to force myself to press on. What followed was a quick read, only a few hours from start to finish. The novel was largely predictable, especially the conclusion, but it never makes any hint of being anything but. There is a lot of death, obviously, which easily can cause many shed tears (I'm a bit of a crier, even when I know something is going to happen). There are some flaws in the behavior and logic, sure, but not nearly as much as I expected from a book written from the point of view of a dog.
Overall, the book contains a good message, and has left me with an odd feeling, making me look deeper into my (already intense) relationship with my dogs. If you aren't a crier it would make a great beach read of a book to take along to the dog or children's park. I'm glad I've read it, but I don't think I would suggest it to others. I was expecting a deeper insight into a dog's psyche, something about more profound, and left empty handed.
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LibraryThing member Jcambridge
Not quite as good as "The Art of Racing in the Rain", but still a terrific read for any dog lover. Keep that box of tissues handy!!!!
LibraryThing member frisbeesage
To begin with I felt this book was written more at the level of a teen rather than an adult. It starts as a cute fun story with a puppy narrating. I enjoyed it but felt the plot was pretty simple. However, as the book progressed, the plot fleshed out some and took on some more serious subjects. I
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enjoyed the voice of Bailey, though at times he switch from endearingly bewildered at the ways of humans to wise beyond his years with dizzying speed. This made me feel like his voice didn't always stay true to his character. Still, an entertaining, feel-good book that is worth reading. Show Less
LibraryThing member Copperskye
Aw, shucks. You’d have to be a real non-dog, curmudgeonly type person to not at least like this book.
As anyone who reads books about dogs knows, it seems like 95% of the time the dog dies in the end and the reader is left teary eyed and sad. Cameron adds a new angle. Here we have a dog who dies
Admittedly, I was a bit conflicted by the first 100 or so pages. I wanted to like the book but I was anticipating the loss of the dog too much to enjoy it completely. Nevertheless, I continued on and enjoyed the second half much, much more. It ended up as a wholly satisfying, albeit somewhat predictable, read. Cameron is a humor columnist so there was a light touch throughout and the research he did on dog behavior was well served. The first-doggy voice worked very well.
Recommended for dog lovers, especially anyone involved in dog rescue. Not recommended for sensitive souls, though since, after all, dogs do die and it is still heartbreaking. This would be a good book for pre-teens and teens or for a family read as it would generate a lot of great discussions, again with the above-mentioned caveat.
As anyone who reads books about dogs knows, it seems like 95% of the time the dog dies in the end and the reader is left teary eyed and sad. Cameron adds a new angle. Here we have a dog who dies
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multiple times but each time is reborn as a different dog with a different purpose. He remembers his former lives and each life experience teaches him things that will ultimately help him to perform his true-life purpose.Admittedly, I was a bit conflicted by the first 100 or so pages. I wanted to like the book but I was anticipating the loss of the dog too much to enjoy it completely. Nevertheless, I continued on and enjoyed the second half much, much more. It ended up as a wholly satisfying, albeit somewhat predictable, read. Cameron is a humor columnist so there was a light touch throughout and the research he did on dog behavior was well served. The first-doggy voice worked very well.
Recommended for dog lovers, especially anyone involved in dog rescue. Not recommended for sensitive souls, though since, after all, dogs do die and it is still heartbreaking. This would be a good book for pre-teens and teens or for a family read as it would generate a lot of great discussions, again with the above-mentioned caveat.
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LibraryThing member khiemstra631
Have your box of tissues at hand, and read the book in private unless you have no qualms about others seeing you alternately laugh and cry within the space of a few minutes. This book follows the "life" of a dog, who is actually four different dogs before the book's end. Apparently dogs no sooner
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die than they are reborn as puppies to start all over again with life. The great thing is that they remember their previous lives. This explains why some of us have dogs who are way smarter than they should be. It's also a very hopeful message for those who may have recently lost a pet or who have elderly pets. This is a very enjoyable read and a memorable book. I highly recommend it and think that it would make a great gift for any dog lover. I did have a little problem getting into it initially because I knew the dog was going to die. Once I bucked up and faced that fact, I was able to proceed and enjoy the book. Show Less
LibraryThing member Master275
This is a must for all dog lovers! 'A Dog's Purpose' is a journey of one dog to find and fulfill his purpose. His path leads him a long way with many good times and even a share of bad. Seeing life through the eyes of a dog was a wonderful experience! I found myself trying to put myself in the
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shoes (or paws!) of my own two dogs and trying to understand them better. The life of this precious dog made me laugh out loud at times and turn away and blink back tears at other times. I have already passed along my copy and recommended it to every dog owner I know! I cannot imagine how anyone could be disappointed in this book! Show Less
LibraryThing member stumpworks
The narrator dog has four incarnations. Plenty of sadness to go with the mostly light hearted story. The theme is search for a dog's purpose. The dog's experience range from stray, city, farm, and working dog. The multiple lifre times give the author the venue for different dog skills for different
The book is more Marley than Old Yeller. The author does a good job of speculating on a dog's perception of his situation, environment, and humans.
Very fast read. Less than four hours. If you are a dog literature person, you should go for this one.
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assignments.The book is more Marley than Old Yeller. The author does a good job of speculating on a dog's perception of his situation, environment, and humans.
Very fast read. Less than four hours. If you are a dog literature person, you should go for this one.
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LibraryThing member tanya2009
I won this book on Librarything and it is the story of one dog's search for his purpose over the course of several lives. It is told in the dog's point of view. The book is very different and I recommend it highly.
LibraryThing member tammathau
I recommend this book for dog lovers! The story follows the dog's soul through different lives while searching for the purpose to life. There are humorous parts and parts that brought tears to my eyes. I LOVED this book!
LibraryThing member WillowOne
W. Bruce Cameron started to get the writing bug early. He wrote 26 pages of a novel in the 4th grade. At age 16 he sold his first short story and in college he worked on the student newspaper. He has had 8 unpublished novels and writes a column online that has thousands of subscribers. His other
- 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter (also a much loved TV show)
- 8 Simple Rules for Marrying My Daughter
- How to Remodel a Man
A Dog's Purpose follows the spirit of a dog through 4 lifetimes. The dog learns things in each lifetime and finds his purpose. Once the dog dies and is reincarnated it takes the information learned in the former life/lives and finds how it can be used to find its purpose in the new life.
I found the story to be touching and funny. I kept watching my dog and wondering what she was thinking. I would also compare things that my dog does with the description by the dog in the book. I am glad I received this book for early review and I have several friends and family that want to borrow it now. Being dog lovers I know they will thoroughly enjoy it too.
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published books are- 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter (also a much loved TV show)
- 8 Simple Rules for Marrying My Daughter
- How to Remodel a Man
A Dog's Purpose follows the spirit of a dog through 4 lifetimes. The dog learns things in each lifetime and finds his purpose. Once the dog dies and is reincarnated it takes the information learned in the former life/lives and finds how it can be used to find its purpose in the new life.
I found the story to be touching and funny. I kept watching my dog and wondering what she was thinking. I would also compare things that my dog does with the description by the dog in the book. I am glad I received this book for early review and I have several friends and family that want to borrow it now. Being dog lovers I know they will thoroughly enjoy it too.
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LibraryThing member jillstone
A must-read for dog lovers. This novel is told from the point of view of the dog, Bailey and it feels so true. Bailey lives several lives, always wondering just what the purpose of his life is. He remembers his past lives and is surprised to find himself in the body of a puppy yet again. This story
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will make you laugh and cry as you follow the intrepid narrator through his various lives and adventures. I really enjoyed Bailey's musings on relationships with humans and other animals. His search for purpose will ring true to everyone who has wondered what their own purpose is, or on the other hand, just what their dog is thinking. This is a heartwarming, heartbreaking, funny book that everyone who has ever loved a dog and been loved in return, will adore. Show Less
LibraryThing member edundatscheck
It's fiction, but you will find yourself laughing and crying as you get attached to this mongrel as he makes the journey through various lifetimes. Starting off as a feral pup, his first short life ends in a shelter because he is not likely to be adopted. You can't help fall in love with this
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character and his doggy perspective. This one book has the advantage of having the main character living at the end of the story, unlike many of the other true life dog stories. Highly recommended! Show Less
LibraryThing member readingrebecca
A Dog’s Purpose is one of the most fantastic, wonderful books I’ve ever read. Many have tried to write from the animal’s perspective, but Bruce Cameron has hit it head on. I’ve never experienced so many emotions while reading one book. I laughed, I cried, I cheered.
Put in the context of
My son is reading A Dog’s Purpose right now and I know he is finding comfort in his old friend’s passing in those pages and joy in the new, exuberant life that has joined their household.
Put in the context of
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what is going on in my life right now, I was just waiting for A Dog’s Purpose. My son and his wife had to have their 15-year-old golden retriever put to sleep after a long and full life, a short time ago. Even though I was 1,300 miles away from them at the time, I went through the pain and the grief. Right now I’m visiting with him and his wife and we started talking about them getting another dog. Initial reluctance moved on to checking out rescue web sites to starting to make a list of potential new puppies. And then they found THE ONE. And so while I was reading A Dog’s Purpose, Tucker came to live with my son and his wife. I can see in Tucker’s face the knowledge, the understanding and the love that is embodied in A Dog’s Purpose. My son is reading A Dog’s Purpose right now and I know he is finding comfort in his old friend’s passing in those pages and joy in the new, exuberant life that has joined their household.
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LibraryThing member dissed1
As far as people go, W. Bruce Cameron may be inhumane. His current novel, A Dog's Purpose, leads his reader to come to a deep intimacy and love for Cameron's fictional dog, only to tumble time and again into heartfelt sadness at his death. This sort of rapt focus and captive emotion is well worth
A Dog's Purpose follows a unique premise as the story of a dog born and reborn numerous times and the lives he leads. Throughout these lifetimes, Cameron's dog comes to know the carelessness and ultimate cruelty of life as an illegally kept pet, reciprocal love and devotion as treasured family member, and the pride of valor as a search and rescue dog. With each rebirth the dog builds upon the knowledge gleaned in previous lives to further his existence and purpose in the current one.
Author W. Bruce Cameron's simple writing style befits his story. Narration sounds just as one would expect a dog to converse, were he able. The canine behaviors displayed are spot-on. So perfect is his characterization, in fact, one wonders if Cameron spent a previous life as a canine. It's this genuine depiction that leads readers to feel close to the dog and touches a myriad of emotions. Within 319 pages, Cameron shoulders us through a well-rouned range of emotions, including love, anger, fear, disgust, sorrow, joy and disappointment, while deftly manuevering surprising plot twists.
A Dog's Purpose is a deeply touching story. Readers will devour every word and find themselves fighting on devotion's side. Tears may flow, but when the story comes full circle, readers are left with no doubt as to a dog's purpose or his value.
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the reading, though.A Dog's Purpose follows a unique premise as the story of a dog born and reborn numerous times and the lives he leads. Throughout these lifetimes, Cameron's dog comes to know the carelessness and ultimate cruelty of life as an illegally kept pet, reciprocal love and devotion as treasured family member, and the pride of valor as a search and rescue dog. With each rebirth the dog builds upon the knowledge gleaned in previous lives to further his existence and purpose in the current one.
Author W. Bruce Cameron's simple writing style befits his story. Narration sounds just as one would expect a dog to converse, were he able. The canine behaviors displayed are spot-on. So perfect is his characterization, in fact, one wonders if Cameron spent a previous life as a canine. It's this genuine depiction that leads readers to feel close to the dog and touches a myriad of emotions. Within 319 pages, Cameron shoulders us through a well-rouned range of emotions, including love, anger, fear, disgust, sorrow, joy and disappointment, while deftly manuevering surprising plot twists.
A Dog's Purpose is a deeply touching story. Readers will devour every word and find themselves fighting on devotion's side. Tears may flow, but when the story comes full circle, readers are left with no doubt as to a dog's purpose or his value.
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LibraryThing member Deb32
I totally loved this book - it is touching, funny, gripping and well written - it makes you cry more than once, but is "feel good" too. The story keeps you reading, and is both deep and light at the same time. A Definite must-read if you like a good book and/or love Dogs
LibraryThing member kimreadthis
I found this tale to be very interesting and heart-warming. Written from the dog's perspective, his spirit is reincarnated several times. The reincarnation issue is not overly addressed (I was worried that I would not like the book if it dealt too strongly with reincarnation). The book mostly
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concerns the bond between pets and their humans and offers a unique perspective on human and canine interaction, positing what a dog thinks of certain human behaviors. Very enjoyable. Show Less
LibraryThing member horomnizon
An absolute must-read for anyone who has ever loved a dog. Touching and wonderful - this is the story of Toby/Bailey/Ellie/Buddy....they say a cat has 9 lives, well this dog tells us the story of his four lives. And in each, he (she in one story) is searching and trying to understand what his
The dog's views on people and cats are amusing, as are some of the ways that Cameron tells us what the dog is thinking (the garbage cans always smell so good!). I did not want to put the book down and read the latter half in one sitting....with a box of tissues at hand. While not giving commentary on the abuse and euthanization that occurs, Cameron gives you a clear sense that dog just doesn't understand it's purpose when just chained outdoors and mostly ignored. In that and a few other scenes, Cameron's opinion of how people sometimes treat dogs is clearly understood.
This book surprised me and I'm going to pass it on to others I know who love dogs. I'm not sure of the appeal to those who have never really been around a dog (are there many people like that?)....there were many times that I felt like things that were said would only be understood by a dog owner, but perhaps not.
I had never really thought about it this way, but now I hope that I have been a good dog (pet) owner and that my dog felt all the wonderful things at fulfilling her purpose as my companion.....dang it, I'm crying again!
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purpose is. This may sound a bit silly, but I honestly never had one bit of trouble believing that this dog was every bit as intelligent as Cameron writes him to be....and therefore, that he would learn from each life and carry that information forward and really search for his place in that time and world. The dog's views on people and cats are amusing, as are some of the ways that Cameron tells us what the dog is thinking (the garbage cans always smell so good!). I did not want to put the book down and read the latter half in one sitting....with a box of tissues at hand. While not giving commentary on the abuse and euthanization that occurs, Cameron gives you a clear sense that dog just doesn't understand it's purpose when just chained outdoors and mostly ignored. In that and a few other scenes, Cameron's opinion of how people sometimes treat dogs is clearly understood.
This book surprised me and I'm going to pass it on to others I know who love dogs. I'm not sure of the appeal to those who have never really been around a dog (are there many people like that?)....there were many times that I felt like things that were said would only be understood by a dog owner, but perhaps not.
I had never really thought about it this way, but now I hope that I have been a good dog (pet) owner and that my dog felt all the wonderful things at fulfilling her purpose as my companion.....dang it, I'm crying again!
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LibraryThing member jean11
A Dog’s Purpose
By: Jessica Antczak
Monday May 2nd 2011
In the book A Dog’s Purpose the dog has many lives, not like cats but he and sometimes she will live one life then will die with the family he/she just had but then will be reborn into a different dog. He will keep being reborn until he
By: Jessica Antczak
Monday May 2nd 2011
In the book A Dog’s Purpose the dog has many lives, not like cats but he and sometimes she will live one life then will die with the family he/she just had but then will be reborn into a different dog. He will keep being reborn until he
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realizes a dogs real purpose. This book to me was a really good book, I’d give it 5 stars. Show Less
LibraryThing member tehanu
I enjoyed reading this simple book, kind of slow going in the beginning so I kept putting it down--think I was too afraid of something bad happening--but the last half I couldn't read fast enough.
The point of view of the dog narrator is believable but I have to admit my bias in that I love stories
The point of view of the dog narrator is believable but I have to admit my bias in that I love stories
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told by dogs. Show Less
LibraryThing member BookSpot
A Dog's Purpose is told from a a dog's first person (canine?) point of view. It's one dog, but one who lives many lifetimes--reincarnation, of sorts. We meet the dog living his first life as Toby a dog who starts out as a wild dog with his puppy siblings and his mother. He's captured and taken to
Through the different lives, the dog decides that he's supposed to be finding his purpose. He uses things he's learned in each life to help him in each successive one. Little things like knowing how to open a gate becoming very useful to him as he cumulatively builds his skill set.
Because telling much (if anything) about the dogs later lives would spoil the earlier lives for anyone reading, this really isn't very detailed on purpose. It's a very endearing book, though. Each of the dogs lives are different, placing the dog in a different situation with different experiencs. A Dog's Purpose is very well written and it's very believeable that a dog is the one telling the story--not a person pretending to be a dog. Some of the observations from the dog (be they about the cats the dog encounters or in the different lives or about 'school') are very creative and truly very 'dog-like'.
As someone who loves dogs I found this book very touching and it brought up memories of my dogs. I don't know if someone who doesn't like dogs would enjoy the book as much, but I also don't know why the book would really appeal to them in the first place, so . . .
I definitely recommend this book if you ever wonder what your dog is thinking, if you love your dog, if you miss your dog, or if you even just love dogs but don't have one. Do know though that it did make me cry.
10/10
thank you to Goodreads First Reads for this book (so, so much)
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either a woman's unlicensed rescue or the home of a woman who owns forty-ish dogs (I couldn't tell if she just owned a crap load of dogs or had a really unorganized rescue type thing). Through the different lives, the dog decides that he's supposed to be finding his purpose. He uses things he's learned in each life to help him in each successive one. Little things like knowing how to open a gate becoming very useful to him as he cumulatively builds his skill set.
Because telling much (if anything) about the dogs later lives would spoil the earlier lives for anyone reading, this really isn't very detailed on purpose. It's a very endearing book, though. Each of the dogs lives are different, placing the dog in a different situation with different experiencs. A Dog's Purpose is very well written and it's very believeable that a dog is the one telling the story--not a person pretending to be a dog. Some of the observations from the dog (be they about the cats the dog encounters or in the different lives or about 'school') are very creative and truly very 'dog-like'.
As someone who loves dogs I found this book very touching and it brought up memories of my dogs. I don't know if someone who doesn't like dogs would enjoy the book as much, but I also don't know why the book would really appeal to them in the first place, so . . .
I definitely recommend this book if you ever wonder what your dog is thinking, if you love your dog, if you miss your dog, or if you even just love dogs but don't have one. Do know though that it did make me cry.
10/10
thank you to Goodreads First Reads for this book (so, so much)
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LibraryThing member emlzcole
An amazing book that EVERY dog lover should read ... sure, it will make you tear up ... but it's worth the time ... you'll never look at your dogs in the same way again.
LibraryThing member kforeman
Written from the perspective of a dog, "A Dog's Purpose" is just as much about people as it is dogs. The hardships, the joys, the loves and the losses we experience all define our purpose and our growth to a greater purpose. Reading the repeated lives of a dog through Toby, Bailey, Elle, and Buddy,
As a longtime pet owner, now blessed with a 1yo Shetland Sheepdog named Kiyomi, I found myself reflecting upon our relationship with her. The trials of puppyhood and the eccentricities of adulthood weighed on my mind. I found myself wondering how much I have taught her, how much she has taught me, and I hugged more than once reading this as I knew that we both grew in learning about our purpose together.
I would highly recommend "A Dog's Purpose" to others. I will be reading this book again and again to remind myself about its lessons and the wonderful company I've kept in the companionship of dogs.
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I laughed and cried. Bruce Cameron is a masterful author who has captured the complexity of people's relationships with their pets and our struggle to understand ourselves, to give our lives meaning. As a longtime pet owner, now blessed with a 1yo Shetland Sheepdog named Kiyomi, I found myself reflecting upon our relationship with her. The trials of puppyhood and the eccentricities of adulthood weighed on my mind. I found myself wondering how much I have taught her, how much she has taught me, and I hugged more than once reading this as I knew that we both grew in learning about our purpose together.
I would highly recommend "A Dog's Purpose" to others. I will be reading this book again and again to remind myself about its lessons and the wonderful company I've kept in the companionship of dogs.
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Awards
Gateway Readers Award (Nominee — 2013)
Original publication date
2010-07-06