If you like dogs than read this book. I have struggled with my dogs crossing the rainbow bridge and this story has helped me immensely. I have also felt guilty about getting another dog even though a new dog will never replace a old dog. I believe that there is a right dog out there for everyone and everything happens for a reason.

Fun version of “it’s a wonderful life” with a dog as the factor that changes peoples lives in a small community. Very cute idea of people meeting up with their past dogs on the rainbow bridge. Very easy lighthearted read.

Christmas Eve in western Kansas and a snowstorm is gaining strength as Bear Bailey a devoted Great Pyrenees tries to comfort her beloved owner Mary. She’s in hot water with the local business villain and Bears earlier altercation with the miser only seemed to make things worse. When Mary blurts out that she wishes for a different life Bear blames himself for her despair and runs away. This was a holiday tale for those who love the season but feel deep loss of loved ones (both furry and human) it shines a light on the power of love and community and reminds us miracles do exist. This was such an amazing dog story I thought it was amazing and recommend to everyone.

Sometimes, the perfect Holiday book arrives just before Christmas. I’m so glad it did!

I am naturally drawn to books with animals as characters. I loved Bear and his friend Jiff, two very good boys. This book kept me thoroughly engaged as it warmed my heart. This book was cleverly written in the tradition of It’s A Wonderful Life.

Bear, a sensitive Great Pyrenees, loved most everyone and most everyone loved him. He found himself in a sad situation where he needed to be reminded of his worth. Jiff was chosen as the perfect companion to help Bear remember. What a team they made!

I also really enjoyed the human characters, their relationships and their true friendships. They sincerely cared for one another and met each other’s needs.

I read the end of this book with tears streaming down my face and the strongest urge to hug my loved ones, humans and critters alike.

I received a complimentary copy of this special book from Acorn Publishing through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This was a different novel than I read normally but without any regrets.

Did you love the movie ‘It's a Wonderful Life’? Do you love Christmas stories and dogs? Then you will love this book!!
I almost gave up on a 5-star read this month, but thank God it is here. This book was by far one of the most heartfelt and heartwarming books I have read in a while. I just loved all the characters., humans, dogs and angels. Mary was very loveable and I could very much relate to her, losing my mother just a couple of years ago. But Earth Dog Bear and Angel Dog Jiff warmed my heart. The story dragged me in and my eyes were glued to the pages. Yes, there were some tears as well, remembering my dogs that went over the rainbow bridge. The funny thing was that my heart felt some kind of ‘hopeful’ feeling and how amazing it would be to see my dogs again. Anyways…back to this book. The scenes were nicely written and again brought back memories of myself. I think that is the power of this book and why it is so amazing. When readers discuss this book, I believe a lot of their own memories will come up and not one will be the same (for the ones who had or have a dog). The bond between dogs and humans is beautifully written by the author. I laughed, I cried, I worried and couldn't stop turning the pages. What a wonderful book and I highly recommend it, especially for the ones with a dog, who has lost a dog or just someone who loves dogs.


I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, NetGalley, and Xpresso Book Tours for this ARC.

This is a book about a dog named Bear who is on Earth and a dog named Jiff that is sent down from his post waiting for his human on the rainbow bridge to help Bear.

For anyone who has a special dog who has passed away or is about to pass, this is the book that you want to read to renew your faith about your beloved pet being happy and waiting for you on the rainbow bridge and what it will be like to reunite with them. It will bring you hope and it will bring you comfort.

Mary is lost after her mother's death. When she finds herself in the position of being able to save a dog from the shelter at Christmas, she can't resist the way that the dog makes her feel calmer and less full of grief than before.

Mary is such a lovable woman with all of her spunk after she has Bear by her side. One of my favorite scenes is when she is arguing with a very nasty man trying to mess with her property and that of a family that she has become very close to. Bear makes his opinion known by urinating on the nasty man's pants. It shows you that Bear and Mary both share the spunky streak and Bear is so devoted to her.

I love how Bear brings everyone together. You can't help but love his joy and his desire to make people happy and bring out the best of them. I especially love how he is such an inspiration to Mary and her building a co-op with his name. It is beautiful to have such a good thing for the community in honor of a wonderful dog.

Jiff stole my heart when he comes back to earth. There is a scene between him and his former owner that will bring you such joy and tug at your heartstrings. Loved this book and these two pups so much!

I highly recommend this to all who have loved a dog, have a dog near passing or have lost their souldog. It helped heal my heart and I hope it does the same for you.

It's a Wonderful Life centered around the life of an overly friendly Great Pyrnees that thinks his humans would be better off without him. The story line may be the same but it's definitely a wonderful....pun intended....telling of the story. This would be an excellent book to read together this holiday season and remind the humans that everyone is important.

It's a wonderful Christmas story about a wonderful dog. But really, aren't all dogs wonderful?
Bear Bailey is a beautiful Great Pyrenees who came into Mary Bailey's life when she needed him most: the pain of her mother's death has her plunged into a deep depression from which her husband Theodore is unable to help her out. .
With Bear's help, Mary regains her joy and love for life and integrates into the community and then... but it's better that I don't tell you, but that you read it.
It's a Wonderful Dog is a story very suitable for any time of year, but especially for Christmas and to remind us to keep hope alive and that the best things come at Christmas.
I thank the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
The opinion I have expressed above is based solely on what I think and feel about this book.

It's a Wonderful Dog is a holiday remake of It’s a Wonderful life, with the Bailey name including Mary but with a totally different main character. I loved how Bear Bailey is a dog who has made not just a difference in Mary’s and Theo’s life but also the town’s too. Keri Salas has a great imaginative way in depicting this story from a dog’s perspective.

Jiff is a dog who has already crossed the Rainbow bridge now he has been waiting a long time for his owner to join him in the great beyond. There is humor in Jiff as he comes to help Bear find his way, but it is not as you would expect. Still I appreciate it. In fact I appreciated everything about this book. While the book got off to a slow start, it picked up the pace so it is still 5 stars for me.

For a new holiday treat be sure to read It's a Wonderful Dog.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a twist on one of my favourite holiday movies, one that was filmed before I was born, but I have watched it most, if not all, the years as Christmas approaches.

This story begins with a husband and wife, who have just returned to the home town of her mother, who has recently passed. She is trying to come to terms with her mother’s death, and also get her mother’s house in order with plans to sell it, but she seems to be lost in the memories, and not quite able to come to terms with it, and Christmas isn’t that far off. Being back in the town where she grew up brings back so many memories, some good, some painful. Her husband, trying to divert her attention to something he thinks will make her smile, a puppy that one of the neighbors just bought in an attempt to win over his girlfriend - which apparently didn’t work.

When her husband says ’You know, as a child, I was told all the best souls arrive at Christmas’, at first she accuses him of making it up, but then she says she likes the sound of that. And so a puppy becomes the new member of the family.

I have never had a Great Pyrenees or a Black Lab, but I’ve had dogs since I was born through most of the years of my life, and I had no idea that this was a twist on one of my favourite movies, but I’m so glad that I went into this without knowing too much.


Pub Date: 16 Nov 2023

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Acorn Publishing

This is such an adorable, dog-filled twist on a Holiday classic. As an owner of both a Great Pyrenees and a Black Lab, it was a given that this book was going to be special for me. On top of that, It's a Wonderful Life has always been a Christmas favorite in my family. So going into this I was expecting tears, smiles, and lots of wonderful dog moments. I was NOT disappointed. This is THE feel-good holiday book for dog lovers this holiday season.

If you have a soft spot for dogs, small-town holiday stories, and Christmas Hallmark movies, or if you just love It's a Wonderful Life or Great Pyrenees in general, then please read this little gem of a book.

Huge thanks to the author for an advanced copy of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it! All the above thoughts are my own.

A big, beautiful boy, Bear Bailey, known as Bear by his family is a Great Pyrenees. His owner Mary is going through a dark period in her life, she hasn't been happy in months. One evening the stress gets to Mary and she has a breakdown. It doesn't help that Bear though potty trained long ago accidently goes on the floor because he picks up on his owner's stress. Mary says hurtful things to Bear, and he goes out into a blinding snowstorm just to make Mary happy because that's all he wants, her happiness. With the wind forcefully blowing he doesn't hear Mary calling him back, there are coyotes surrounding him, he's weak and hurt.
Jiff is a Labrador patiently waiting for his own human to meet him at the Rainbow Bridge. He's been waiting decades for his owner, and he gets permission to return to earth to act as Bear's guardian that evening during the blizzard. Jiff knows Bear will not survive this Christmas Eve night without divine intervention. He is there to show him just how the humans he has known over the years would have been lacking in life's happiness without him in it.
The seasonal light shines through with family both human and animals and this one will make you pause to reflect on all your pets of the past who've traveled over that rainbow bridge.

Pub Date 16 Nov 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.