The Dog I Loved

Rosie has been convicted of manslaughter in the death of her fiance and is in the middle of a lengthy prison sentence when she gets the opportunity to help train a service dog, Shark. Her time with this remarkable dog, whom she comes to love, is the only thing that gets her through her time behind bars. Shark is being trained to help former soldier, Meghan, who is wheelchair bound. Readers get a chance to hear from all the characters, Rosie (in first person, Meghan and even Shark. I won’t lie to you, this was a difficult book to read, from the prison conditions Rosie suffered through, to her wrongful conviction, and most heart breaking of all, her good-bye to Shark. But never fear, justice finally prevailed and there are more dogs and people who need their help

I love when books have a theme around the love of a dog. One woman is in jail and will learn to love again with the help of a prison dog training program. Another woman is a wounded veteran soldier who is angry with her new life of dependence on her family. Together, with the love of an animal, these women start the path to their healing. This is a wonderful book that I thoroughly enjoyed and cannot wait to share with my librarian friends! A full, definitely more thorough review will be posted on my blog by 9-14-19. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book!

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I am a sucker for books with dogs, or any animal really. I often find myself relaxing at the end of a long, busy day with a book in one hand and the other rubbing the velvety soft ears of my Golden Retriever mix. Now and then he will crack open his honey brown eyes and I can’t help but feel special that he chose me seven years ago at the humane society. We take for granted our daily freedoms as a society. We get to walk out the door and go wherever we want, choose our own daily activities, decide what we want to eat and more without a thought of those who are unable to make choices of their own anymore.

Rosie Collins can no longer make her own decisions and is in constant danger as she does her time in prison for the murder of her fiancé. She must learn the ropes quickly and grow a spine if she ever wants to survive her new way of life. Her cellmates come and go quickly and the hierarchy must be established quickly each time between the two women. The food is tasteless, she’s cooped up in her cell most of the time and the days and years tick by in a steady yet slow fashion. Her break finally comes when she hears about a prison program that allows inmates to train service dogs. Rosie’s days finally have purpose when her first puppy arrives for her to train. A strong bond quickly forms even though she knows that her time with her puppy, Shark, will be only a matter of months. There will be other puppies if she is successful, but Shark is special to her and always will be.

Meghan is a disabled veteran who is not used to anyone helping her. She misses her independence, her other soldiers. Friendships come and go as soldiers return home to their lives and families after their time is done and none never keep in contact. Now she has to face a life of depending on others for her every need...or is there another option? By chance, Meghan hears about a prison program where inmates train service dogs to help people gain independence once more. Meghan decides to eventually jump on the chance and a relationship blooms where it may have been seen as nearly impossible. Two women’s lives are changed forever because of their various choices and one loveable Labrador.

This book truly did give me “all of the feels” and I highly recommend you give this a try if you like the underdogs (and dogs!) of the world. Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

If a dog has ever owned your heart, you will understand how two strong-willed women were healed all because of a special canine. You will also believe in a dog’s mission in life, because they are a special companion throughout humanity’s history.

THE DOG I LOVED by Susan Wilson is a heartwarming tale of personal redemption, growth and bonds formed. Told through the POVs of the two main characters, as well as a canine POV, follow along as a prison inmate learns to trust again when she is placed in the service dog training program. Her life will be further changed when she meets the wheelchair-bound war vet who will take the dog she has trained. What neither woman expected was the bond they would share between themselves or how much they truly needed a real friend, both human and canine as they each find a dog that feeds their souls.

Wonderful, reading, superb characters that are flawed, yet not broken. The dogs? They have a magic all their own!

I received a complimentary ARC edition from St. Martin's Press! My honest review is voluntary.

Publisher: St. Martin's Press (November 12, 2019)
Publication Date: November 12, 2019
Genre: Women's Fiction
Print Length: 368 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
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This is my first, and certainly not my last book I have read of Susan Wilson. Amazing and beautiful story of a woman serving a harsh prison sentence, given a fortuitous opportunity to train puppies for service dogs to others in the outside world, and changes her and others’ lives for the better. Explores incarceration, family dynamics, relationships, friendships, PTSD, veterans, and the wonder of dogs. Clear and concise, was told from many different viewpoints including several dogs. I laughed and shed a tear or two as I read this. Having worked with and volunteered with both populations, I found myself cheering inwardly for the two main characters. In today’s sometimes mean and depressing world, this story was uplifting and full of hope and faith. Would highly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and Susan Wilson for an ARC of 'The Dog. Opinions are my own.

I cannot express how deep and heartwarming this book was - I actually didn’t want it to end and hope there will be a sequel. There were loose ends and the ending and I’d love to find out what happens to Marley and Meghan and Rosie’s family. The reader will fall in love with all the main characters especially the dogs!

Susan Wilson’s has such a touching way of using dogs in her stories. And even if you’re not a dog lover, here’s a warning: you may find yourself looking up the address of the nearest animal shelter after reading one of Wilson’s books.

This book is about survivors of both war and life. We have Rose who has spent years in prison for a death that was nothing more than an accident. Why was she convicted? Her rich, ruthless soon-to-be mother-in-law needed to punish Rose for killing her son. And Rose’s lack of funds made it hard to obtain competent representation.

While in prison, Rose is lucky enough to be chosen to train service dogs. While doing that work she meets Megan, a struggling, ex-soldier who is confined to a wheelchair. Shark, the dog Rose is training is going will be given to Meghan. Both women are struggling in their own way, yet the two find friendship in sharing. Rose’s family hasn’t talked to her since entering prison, and Megan is still trying to discover who she is now that her life has changed.

Though Rose has given up on anything but passing her time in prison, she is released. It seems a mysterious benefactor has had her case reviewed, plus she will be provided a job working as a project manager. At first, Rose is very confused and the job is unsettling. She will be working and staying at a very old and neglected house, located in an area with lots of history.

The chapters have the viewpoints of either Megan, Rose, or very short ones from two dogs that are in the book.

Megan and Rose maintain their friendship but in time something surfaces which might possibly jeopardize their relationship.

The reader is taken through two lives, how they merge, and how dogs play a part in that.

If you’ve read many of Wilson’s books, then you know the type of stories she writes. And, if you’re like me, you will keep coming back for more and more.

My thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for the opportunity to read and review this ARC, #TheDogILoved. The thoughts and opinions offered are not in any way altered by receiving the review copy.

What Concerned Me:
This is a very small concern: I can understand the relationship between Megan and Rose, but I’m not sure either character is fleshed out due to both sharing the spotlight.

What I Liked Most:
Wilson creates such wonderful relationships between humans and dogs. Though the descriptions of her characters aren’t terribly in-depth, I can always picture both dogs and people. They all come to life and tell believable, touching stories.

“The Dog I Loved” is the first book I have read by Susan Wilson, and I will be seeking out more! A story about growing up, friendship, starting over, and the amazing relationship one can have with a dog had me entranced from the start. An easy read I didn’t want to put down until I finished the very last page.

I have read many of this author’s books and loved every one of them, and this one is no exception. Susan Wilson “gets” dogs in a way that few humans do. But she also “gets” women, and the underlying emotional complexities of many different cultures and classes. There is fine attention to emotional as well as physical detail in this wonderful novel, and I will be purchasing it when it is released to give to several friends. This book offers healing, as well as insight into dog behavior... and human behavior.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I've read several of Susan Wilson's books and they are always interesting. She gets dog's behavior and obviously loves them. This was about service dogs and the difference they can make in someone's life. The characters are skillfully crafted and believable. The family dynamics and unmet expectations play a major part in this story. It's a good reminder of what happens when we judge people by our own standards instead of letting them be who they are. A great story.

I received an Advanced Reader's Copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are completely my own.
#TheDogILoved #NetGalley

Skip the "whodunit's" and "romcom's" and immerse yourself in this sweet and simple tale of loss, forgiveness and redemption. The title is misleading as The Dog I Loved is about several dogs, and they are the hero's (along with a disabled veteran) of the story. Rose has spent six years in jail for killing her fiance-an evil man who is the poster child for "justifiable homicide." Meghan is a service member who came home in a wheelchair. They meet when Rose participates in a therapy dog training program through her prison. Both Rose and Meghan have deep scars- physical and emotional-and they bond through Shark-the dog Rose trains to assist Meghan. The Dog I Loved is such a joy to read even with such dark circumstances. Susan Wilson adds some mysticism with the inclusion of Shadow-a dog who literally appears out of the shadows and recounts memories (there are chapters told from the dog's POV-some of the best parts of the novel!) from decades ago. This blend of fantasy and grim reality works beautifully in a way it might not have without the dogs. The Dog I Loved has Lifetime or Hallmark movie written all over it-I hope a film is in the works. I'd watch it again and again, and probably fall more in love with the dogs (and people) every time.

I truly loved this story! It is an emotional journey of a young lady who finds herself in a Women's Correctional Facility for manslaughter.
Rose needs to stay afloat in this lonely place. Can she spend twenty-five years here and survive?
When a new program comes to the prison, Rose applies and is accepted to train puppies to become service pets to folks in need. It is the answer to her prayers.
Shark is who gives Rose purpose and love each day.
Then comes the day he must go to his new owner. ( and the tears begin.)
But.... this is just the beginning of Rose's story as she eventually begins to move forward with her own life.
Anybody who loves dogs will not be able to put this novel down!
The feelings of each person and the dogs in this novel come through in beautiful detail.
It is seen and certainly true that a dog will bring out the best in a human and Susan Wilson has proven this! Excellent!

Rose Collins ends up in prison, sentenced for 20 years, even though she didn’t commit murder like they said. Life in prison was difficult, until she was selected to train dogs as part of a prison rehab program. The first dog she trained, Shark, went to Meghan, an ex-soldier who is struggling after ending up in a wheelchair after an explosion ends her career. Little does Rose know how much meeting Meghan is going to change her life.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Not only does Meghan help win Rose’s release from prison, but she secretly helps her find purpose to her life. That helps Meghan as much as it helps Rose. Added bonus was the dogs and hearing their point of view in brief chapters! Highly recommended! Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Having recently finished “The Dog I Loved” by Susan Wilson, I am happy to have had the chance for the preview; thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press!

This was a wonderful story about new friendships made while learning to live with extreme emotional and physical challenges. The fact that 4-legged friends were such a large part of this storyline made it all the more heartwarming. It was a nice surprise, and not unbelievable, for their furry point of view to be expressed throughout the book. By the final chapter, I felt I knew all these characters, how their lives might continue and... will miss them.

I love reading dog stories and this was another one that i really enjoyed! A great story by a new author and I would definitely read more!! I highly recommend!!

This was a magnificent novel. Following Rosie through the beginning of her freedom was lovely. I really enjoyed learning Rosie's story bit by bit as the tale progressed.
The fact that Shark and Shadow has their own chapters dedicated to their own voice was beautiful.
I also loved the history of Dogtown and the connection Rosie starts to feel with those early settlers.
The relationships in this book were so realistic and raw. True pain wasn't skipped over, it was embraced.
This book was amazing to read. The ability of dogs to help in any circumstance is a gift. They're ability to be there for their people is something everyone should be able to experience. I loved this book and I can't wait to read more by this author.

Fabulous! The switching of characters was not hard to follow at all, and the blend between the two major characters was beautiful. I love that the author have the dogs in the story a voice as well. Trigger warning for those people who may have experienced domestic violence.

I loved this book. The characters both human and canine, come to life and are so real. the emotions and relationships are believable. Once I got into the story I could not put it down.

4.5 stars.
“The Dog I Loved”, by Susan Wilson, is a gripping foray into the historic human-dog relationship and a powerful tale about healing and redemption.
More focused on the human/canine bonding, and on service dogs in particular, with the refreshingly realistic and credible point of view of the canine characters, the novel features two women who form an unexpected friendship because of the dogs in their lives.
I liked that Susan Wilson doesn’t sugarcoat the severity of Meghan’s injuries, although I felt her physical characterization could have been less general/abstract.
I also enjoyed having an interracial romance, and I just hope Rosie and Tucker will have their HEA too.
Shark, Shadow and Spike are wonderful creatures, so committed to their humans, yet so earnest to have fun and behave like regular animals when not performing working functions.
I found this a completely absorbing story, with Rosie’s background slowly revealed and the Dogtown history.