A Dog’s Way Home

W. Bruce Cameron does it again! In A Dog’s Way Home, the author manages to address several hot-button topics while weaving them into an intriguing adventure not unlike Sheila Burnford’s classic The Incredible Journey.

In this book, we meet Bella, a “pit bull”/Rottweiler cross who spent her early days growing up with cats… and then being raised by Momma Cat for a time. Shortly, Bella meets Lucas, the human who is supplying food to Bella’s feral cat colony family. Lucas takes Bella home, where Bella proves to be quite useful. Lucas’ mom is a military veteran, struggling with depression and suffering grand mal seizures. Bella’s ability to soothe Mom’s depression, as well as inert instinct to alert when Mom is about to experience a seizure is soon discovered.

The unlikely family faces challenges, however, when it is revealed that they live in Denver- not a friendly city for “pit bull” types. Lucas and his mom find themselves not only defending the nearby feral cat colony, but also fending off overeager animal control officers as they struggle to find a way to keep Bella.

I really appreciate the way Cameron was able to wrap veterans’ issues, Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) and other animal rights concerns up into such a gut-wrenching story, with some unlikely heroes and companions along the way. Bella’s narrative, particularly her way of describing the tricks, skills and actions she learns, was very engaging and entertaining. I had my doubts, at first, unsure where the tale was headed, but I think this one may just be his best book yet. I think I liked it even better than both A Dog’s Purpose and A Dog’s Journey.

–Jennifer Casula

Jennifer Casula is spending the summer at her parents’ home in the Texas Hill Country, where she and her three dogs are enjoying an extended visit. She is currently subbing water aerobics and boot camp classes at the health club where she worked during high school, college and beyond.