In a society where pet and particularly dog ownership is becoming more and more integrated into family and individual life, an aspect of pet ownership that all pet lovers must face is the passing of one's beloved friend. As dog lovers encounter this difficult time, the grieving process proves itself as intricate, intimate, and individual as the grieving process one experiences when losing any human family member. More so, in a dog-eat-dog world where even the smallest ounce of puppy love from a therapy or family dog can make the largest difference, these humorous tributes—sure to make readers laugh, cry, and remember all at the same time—are one author's attempt to bring peace and healing to the lives of dog owners who have lost their best friend.

In this charming book, uplifting and memorable community dogs—true rebels without causes, collars, and leashes—adopt neighborhood misfits for years on end and help readers understand, maybe even redefine, friendship and devotion. Other dogs, like Zorro Long—litter runt and family star who devoted "his life to fetching, whether on land or in water"— inspire readers who root for underdogs to succeed. Honey Bowditch—cherished "mostly shepherd"—exudes confidence and individualism while capturing readers' hearts with tales of warm, loving dog-and-cat friendships that remind humans that by putting aside differences, tolerance and understanding are possible. Watson H.V. Miller—an irresistible bichon fries, "cute as a mini cupcake" and "also a bit of an Anglophile"—reminds readers that life's brightest packages are often small, fluffy, and fur-covered. Boris, stalwart and seemingly as large as the old Soviet Union itself, nudges readers to recall their own dog's loveable eccentricities. Like a solid paw-to-hand shake, colorful photographs accompany the tributes and convey each dog's unique personality. Budding doggy-sweater models steal not only their owners' cameras but more so their hearts, and not-so-sleeping dogs lie innocently in their favorite spots, mischief gleaming in their eyes, awaiting the next walk, drive, or fetch session. Most of all, the paw-some tributes in this book remind readers of the invaluable, golden, and retrievable lessons dogs offer to families and humanity in general: kindness, forgiveness, and hope.

Like a recently bought stuffed toy proudly, lovingly, and with the utmost affection shredded from one end of the living room to another by a household's floppy- (or pointy-) eared rock star, this amusing book becomes an integral, delightful reason to stop, smile, and say "Remember that time…" Part memorial, and all keepsake, this book is like the perfectly posed, Perle Mesta—adoring pug, Lucy, depicted in its pages—a gift to the dog-centric world, one to be given to loved ones and friends coping with the unfillable void that the loss of a dear pet leaves. The hilarious treats in this book unite owners by reminding them that in their time of loss, memories (a scratching paw at a closed front door, a wet nose pressed to a freshly cleaned glass window) and laughter are the best medicine. Revolutionary in its approach to addressing one of humanity's greatest fears, this book's concept of memorializing, in print or digitally, pets after they have departed is one small but infinitely positive advance in the right direction on the long road to the acceptance of a loved one's death.

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