A Dog's Purpose [Paperback]

W. Bruce Cameron (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 24, 2011

This is the remarkable story of one endearing dog’s search for his purpose over the course of several lives. More than just another charming dog story, A Dog’s Purpose touches on the universal quest for an answer to life's most basic question: Why are we here?

Surprised to find himself reborn as a rambunctious golden-haired puppy after a tragically short life as a stray mutt, Bailey’s search for his new life’s meaning leads him into the loving arms of 8-year-old Ethan. During their countless adventures Bailey joyously discovers how to be a good dog.

But this life as a beloved family pet is not the end of Bailey’s journey. Reborn as a puppy yet again, Bailey wonders—will he ever find his purpose?

Heartwarming, insightful, and often laugh-out-loud funny, A Dog's Purpose is not only the emotional and hilarious story of a dog's many lives, but also a dog's-eye commentary on human relationships and the unbreakable bonds between man and man's best friend. This moving and beautifully crafted story teaches us that love never dies, that our true friends are always with us, and that every creature on earth is born with a purpose.   

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A tail-wagging three hanky boo-hooer, this delightful fiction debut by newspaper columnist Cameron (8 Simple Rules for Marrying My Daughter) proposes that a dog's purpose might entail being reborn several times. Told in a touching, doggy first-person, this unabashedly sentimental tale introduces Toby, who's rescued by a woman without a license for her rescue operation, so, sadly, Toby ends up euthanized. He's reborn in a puppy mill and after almost dying while left in a hot car, he's saved again by a woman, and he becomes Bailey, a beloved golden retriever, who finds happiness and many adventures. His next intense incarnation is as Ellie, a female German shepherd, a heroic search and rescue dog. But the true purpose of this dog's life doesn't become totally clear until his reincarnation as Buddy, a black Lab. A book for all age groups who admire canine courage, Cameron also successfully captures the essence of a dog's amazing capacity to love and protect. And happily, unlike Marley, this dog stays around for the long haul.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Like cats, dogs have multiple lives. At least, Bailey, the canine narrator of this first novel, has more than one. Bailey’s first life is spent as a feral puppy who learns to trust humans after living with a loving but slightly dotty woman who owns too many dogs to suit the county. Bailey is removed by animal control, and his next life brings him to young Ethan, the human Bailey will love and search for through all his subsequent lives, first as part of K-9 Search and Rescue and then as a dumped and mistreated mutt. Through all these lives, Bailey contemplates his purpose in a voice full of curiosity and humor. He ruminates on the usefulness of cats (“none”) and the strange natures of humans (“Am I a good dog or a bad dog? They can’t decide”). This quickly paced, touching novel will charm all animal fans, especially those who loved Garth Stein’s The Art of Racing in the Rain (2009) and Vicki Myron’s Dewey (2008), the best-selling saga of a library cat. --Kaite Mediatore Stover --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 333 pages
• Publisher: Forge Books; 1st edition (May 24, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765330342
• ISBN-13: 978-0765330345
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1,337 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,081 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #75 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Humor

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

393 of 404 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Three Words July 6, 2010

By John C. McDonnell

Format:Hardcover

I received a publisher's advance copy of W. Bruce Cameron's first novel, "A Dog's Purpose". In a word? Magnificent. OK, two words. Brilliant. Actually three. Soul.
Bruce Cameron has brought forth a magnificent, touching piece of a soul's journey through life in search of purpose and meaning. At times hilarious and yet other times heart breaking, Bruce brilliantly weaves a story of a dog and its quest that is told with such heart and humanity that anyone who has ever had a dog (or any pet , for that matter) feels that this truly is how they see us and the world in which they live.
The humor is real and effortless. You will find yourself laughing out loud. You will also cry. Real tears born out of your life's memories of pets past and the essential intertwining of souls that exists in no other relationship.
That bond (from the dog's perspective) is what brings the true love in this novel to life.
Though many dream of writing that one great novel, the difference here is that Bruce Cameron has done it right out of the gate and I have a feeling that there is plenty more where that came from. An essential, five star must read.

168 of 174 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An Absolutely, Positively Wonderful Book July 20, 2010

By R. A. Taylor VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

A Dog's Purpose is one of the most fantastic, wonderful books I've ever read. Many have tried to write from the animal's perspective, but Bruce Cameron has hit it head on. I've never experienced so many emotions while reading one book. I laughed, I cried, I cheered.

Put in the context of what is going on in my life right now, I was just waiting for A Dog's Purpose. My son and his wife had to have their 15-year-old golden retriever put to sleep after a long and full life, a short time ago. Even though I was 1,300 miles away from them at the time, I went through the pain and the grief. Right now I'm visiting with him and his wife and we started talking about them getting another dog. Initial reluctance moved on to checking out rescue web sites to starting to make a list of potential new puppies. And then they found THE ONE. And so while I was reading A Dog's Purpose, Tucker came to live with my son and his wife. I can see in Tucker's face the knowledge, the understanding and the love that is embodied in A Dog's Purpose.

My son is reading A Dog's Purpose right now and I know he is finding comfort in his old friend's passing in those pages and joy in the new, exuberant life that has joined their household.

139 of 143 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Wonderful!!! July 17, 2010

By E. Samuels

Format:Hardcover

Dog lovers will absolutely love this book. The author masterfully captures what many of us would imagine to be the thought processes of our dogs, and makes the reader think about the role we play in our pets' lives, for good and for bad. While the book has its uplifting moments, make sure to have some tissues nearby as there are many, many tearful moments in the story of this dog's numerous lives. Lest anyone think that this is yet another book in the growing dog channeling genre, rest assured that this book is much more than that. This is a book that will make you think not only about the purpose of a dog's life, but the purpose of life in general.

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking at it's best. July 7, 2010

By Ann Fleming

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I starting reading this book when it arrived on my Kindle yesterday and never put it down. The story made me laugh and occasionally put a lump in my throat remembering past pets of my own. I was relieved the ending was not sad. This pup's opinion of life and humans is so easily and beautifully explained from his point of view. I finished the book last night knowing it takes so little to have a profound and positive effect on all who surround our lives. Animals and humans alike, have feelings that can so easily be altered with a simple smile or kind word. The ASPCA should headline this book in it's next newsletter! I hope the book is a huge success and a fun read for all.

44 of 50 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Instant Bestseller! Defend Your Copy! July 8, 2010

By Lynne Sears Williams

Format:Hardcover

This is an amazing book. Who would think that a dog could be reincarnated? W. Bruce Cameron did. Who would think a laugh with the first sentence would lead into the life of a dog, who begins his multiple lives as a puppy? What is his purpose? He tries, with many amusing events to do what humans are telling him. It is a Bit Dangerous, though. My daughter walked into the room, picked it up, read 2 pages and asked "May I borrow this?" Plan your holiday gifts now, defend your copy and enjoy a fantastic journey!

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book! July 17, 2010

By Lesia M. Hanks

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I started this book last night, planning to read just a couple of chapters before going to sleep. I ended up reading it all before I put it down. If you are a dog person - I have six - you must read this book. I was afraid it would have the typical sad ending, but instead it is uplifting and comforting. Yes, there is much sadness, but there is also much laughter and joy. You won't be disappointed!

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Forever Loyal June 9, 2011

By Cautious shopper

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

A dog does not choose his circumstances. He accepts whatever may come his way. Born to royalty or on the side of a road; he doesn't question his lot. He makes the best of it. Cameron spins one of the most interesting and beautiful novels on how a dog sees the world.

When some people say that dogs don't have a soul....look into those eyes and know that it is impossible for that to be true. True love and vast wisdom exude from those soulful eyes. Eyes that may have seen many lives.

This is a novel of acceptance, loyalty,survival and greater than anything....true love that never ends.

Scientific research has told us that a dog does not remember, that we humanize them to serve our own needs. The research also breaks down every behavior into a rational explanation. All well and good. Science has its place, but can't explain why the Tornado dog from Alabama, separated from his family dragged himself back to the site of his destroyed house towing 2 broken legs.

Read this book more than once, buy as many copies as you can get, and give one to each person who knows that a dog is much more than the sum of scientific research.

I bought 10 copies and plan on buying more.

Sit down in a comfortable chair with your best friend next to you, and don't get up until you have finished this most touching story. Then give your best friend a big hug, his favorite treat and a good long belly rub.

Marcy Blume
Midlothian, VA 23113