Love Dog — James Villas

When Danny and his most recent girlfriend rescue Nutmeg from a Long Island animal shelter, there's no way the middle-aged novelist can surmise to what extent the adorable, rambunctious, stubborn beagle will eventually help to resolve the most difficult crisis in the man's unstable life. Presented from both Danny's and Nutmeg's points of view, this poignant, heart-warming, often hilarious story carefully explores the joys and doubts, the romances, the spiritual motivations, and the philosophical idiosyncrasies of master and dog alike, and the unpredictable conclusion to all the action places the novel fully in tune with some of today's most radical social changes. Anyone who has ever suffered serious emotional conflicts will sympathize with the ones depicted in this soul-searching tale, and anyone who has ever deeply loved a dog will identify with the very special and moving relationship portrayed here.