Touching, contemporary tales for dog lovers

by K.T. Raine
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5 books
Everyone loves an engaging, heartfelt story, but if it features a dog, it’s even better. Here are five memorable stories of love, redemption, forgiveness and family, which reinforce the important roles dogs play in so many of our lives.
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The Patron Saint of Lost Dogs

Nick Trout, 2015
I found this novel, about veterinarian Cyrus Mills who returns to his childhood home in Vermont to try and save the failing veterinary practice of his recently deceased father, to be delightful and endearing. It’s all about new beginnings, forgiveness and the joy of finding your way home. The story features a fun and varied cast of animal characters, plus a feisty and alluring waitress who catches the eye of Cyrus.

Rainy Day Friends

A Novel
Jill Shalvis, 2018
Six months after Lanie Jacobs loses her husband, and desperate for a fresh start, she impulsively takes a job at the family run Capriotti Winery. She’s bewildered and overwhelmed by the boisterous Capriottis … including their massive English sheepdog. Gradually, Mark Capriotti, a gruff deputy sheriff manages to wind himself into Lanie’s cold, broken heart. This book touches on some heavy topics, and is as much about self-discovery as it is romance. I found it warm and charming.

The Dog Who Saved Me

A Novel
Susan Wilson, 2015
Susan Wilson is a bestselling author and I love all of her books, but The Dog Who Saved Me is particularly touching. It centers on Cooper Harrison, a member of the Boston K-9 Unit who loses his job after suffering a tragedy. He’s forced to return to his childhood home, which is rife with traumatic memories thanks to an abusive father and a bullying older brother. But then Cooper finds work as an animal control officer and meets a shy, feral yellow Lab who teaches him what it means to forgive, let go of the past, and finally heal. Have your tissues handy. This is an emotional and tender tale.

Rescuing the Single Dad

Kadee McDonald, 2019
This is the first book in the PAWS for Romance series, and it’s light-hearted, sweet and fun. PAWS stands for the Pierson Animal Welfare Society, a small-town animal rescue run by the story’s main character, Erin Pierson. The rescue has been in the family for many decades and is a huge part of Erin’s life. But when a million-dollar donation to fund a new building project is embezzled, the scandal could be the end of PAWS. Can financial advisor and single dad, Jason Blaine help to save the rescue? This is a breezy beach read with a happy ever after ending, perfect for when you don’t want anything heavy.

Troubled Pursuit

A Jessica Anderson K-9 Mystery
D. L. Keur, 2023
Do you love stories that are heavy on action and mystery but light on romance? Then you’ll enjoy the Jessica Anderson K-9 Mystery series. Jessica’s family raises professional guard and military dogs, and Jessica heads up the search and rescue division for Montana’s Bitterroot Mountains under the watch of Sheriff Landon Reed. Each story in the series is full of adventure, suspense, and gritty crime-solving but free of profanity and sex. Troubled Pursuit is book 6 in the series, my favorite so far, because Jessica and Landon finally, finally wise up and realize they were meant for each other.