A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron

Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Staff Review by Peggy Errington:

A Dog's Purpose by humor columnist W. Bruce Cameron (author, 8 Simple Rules for Dating my Teenage Daughter) is the equal parts hilarious and poignant story of Bailey, a dog in search of his life's purpose.  The book follows Bailey through various reincarnations, each life building on the last to achieve his purpose.  Although his canine form may change throughout the book from a mutt to a Golden Retriever, a German Shepherd and a Labrador Retriever, his voice remains constant.  Bailey calls it like he sees it - musing that cats have no purpose that he can determine, horses are at best unreliable, and that donkeys are much more dependable, and as such the preferred mode of transport.

The first time Bailey is reborn he is surprised, but jumps joyously into this new adventure bonded to "the boy."   The second time he is confused - loving his boy was not a great enough purpose?  And so begins his life as a search and rescue dog.  The third time he is depressed - what greater purpose could he have than to have saved lives?  Then his life circles back to "the boy," now an old man, and he sees how his boy's life has changed since he last saw him.  And now, finally, Bailey understands the path he has taken to fulfill his purpose.

A Dog's Purpose is a must read for every dog lover. Do not miss this book!   Bailey dares you to not laugh out loud - go ahead, just try.

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