Book Description
What if your dog died and then came back as a ghost…that could talk? Would you welcome him back with open arms, or run away scared to death?
This is the premise of IT’S JUST A DOG, a humorous, heartwarming new novel about love, pet loss, and one man’s ghost dog who rises up yapping from the grave as a talking dog.
Charlie Keefe is not just your typical dog lover –– he’s a world famous dog painter, a.k.a. “The Picasso of Pooch Portraits”. Unfortunately, Charlie’s beloved muse, Pete, his lovable Jack Russell terrier, has just died. And he’s totally grief-stricken by the loss of his furry best friend.
So, after months of suffering over his dearly departed soulmate and wondering if he ever made it to The Rainbow Bridge, Charlie reluctantly agrees to foster a new puppy –– a cute Cavalier King Charles named Brownie from the local animal shelter. Soon after, Charlie is surprised to find himself falling head over heels with this new puppy girl, his ‘Rebound Dog’, as he calls her –– as well as being romantically attracted to Janelle Jordan, the head hound at the dog rescue.
But then complications arise when the ghost of his old dog, Pete, mysteriously reappears one night and comes back to haunt him and the new puppy –– setting off a bizarre chain of events that throw Charlie’s life, career, and entire belief system into chaos!
About the Author
Aside from being a dog lover and a dog widower, Russ Ryan has written screenplays with the Hollywood producers of American Pie, Final Destination, and Fireflies in the Garden. He was also a writer on a really bad teen comedy, National Lampoon’s Repli-kate, starring Eugene Levy. This is his first novel.
In addition, he is the creator of Meansheets.com, a vintage movie poster blog that focuses on the greatest movie poster artists and illustrators from the 1940s-1980s to present day.
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SOURCE: AUTHOR
MY THOUGHTS
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT
Charlie Keefe has made a good living keeping his Jack Russell terrier in the best of kibble. So when Pete crosses the Rainbow Bridge and Charlie isn’t there, he sinks into depression and find he can no longer paint without his muse. Even though Pete wasn’t quite the most friendly and personable dog, the two shared a connection but Charlie didn’t realize how deep that connection was until Pete was gone. As Charlie walks by the dog park, he meets Janelle, head of the local rescue group, who promptly signs him up as a foster parent to an adorable spaniel named Brownie. Brownie is the complete opposite of Pete, charming and adorable instead of a grumbley curmudgeon.
Instead of making me cry like any book where a dog dies, I was actually laughing when Pete reappears as a ghost and the pair start arguing like an old married couple. Pete tells Charlie that Brownie is just a rebound dog and that he will always be first in his heart, there is major disagreement with Pete storming off and Charlie regretting his words once again. Charlie realizing that he has been given a chance to properly say good bye starts to paint again. The pictures of Pete alternating between heaven and hell aren’t exactly a hit with his audience.
This story is for anyone who has loved and lost a dog. It will give you those warm fuzzies that you feel when poked by a cold nose and hit with a wagging tail. Fans of Enzo, Chet, and Jimmy (you know who you are) are going to love adding Pete to your family. This is also the first time that there is a happy ending to losing a beloved pet. It is a quick read and perfect dialogue, one I can’t recommend highly enough for dog lovers.
Disclosure I received this book from the publisher / author at no charge and in no way did it influenced my review. If you are considering purchasing this book or anything else from Amazon, please use my link above since I earn a very small percentage of the sale which helps pay for shipping my giveaways!
WANT TO WIN A COPY OF THIS KINDLE eBOOK?
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Ends 9/11/13
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My little dog, Puppy, is 13. I would like him to come back again when he is gone. And maybe talk to me now, too.
I NEVER read a book in which the dog dies–but this may change that. I love the premise and your review has put this book on my “To Read” list. Thanks!
Sounds like a heart-warming read. If only my first dog and my first cat could come back. They were my very best friends when they were with me.
This is a new author for me,I am looking forward to reading his work.
I totally agree about avoiding books where the dog (cat,horse etc) dies. It is just too hard. But this one sounds like a good one, I would love a chance to win. Thanks!
cjay (at) iavalley (dot) edu