Dog Crazy

February 15, 2015

Thirtysomething Maggie Brennan moved across the country to San Francisco to start a pet bereavement counseling business--the action of a brave and capable woman. But when she is unable to leave her apartment for three months, she realizes that she desperately needs support. In a great example of comforting storytelling, a growing cast of flawed but sympathetic characters, both canine and human, come into Maggie's life to provide mutual assistance. One is Anya, a desperate and angry young woman who believes her dog is alive despite his being missing for a month. Anya's entire family is damaged by loss but Maggie helps them learn to heal as she heals herself. Dogs are major characters in the book, and their love, loyalty, and presence are important. The growing romance between Maggie and Anya's handsome brother, Henry, is predictable but warm and satisfying. VERDICT Donohue (All the Summer Girls) has created a world in which nothing is so bad that it can't be fixed by the love of friends. An enjoyable read, that while light, explores anxiety, agoraphobia, and the therapeutic effects of pets. A sure bet for dog lovers.--Jan Marry, Williamsburg Regional Lib., VA

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