I'm a sucker for stories with animals in them so the title appealed to me right away. The story seemed to take a long time getting to the inclusion of the dog - and I was beginning to wonder if the title meant something else. Ahh - but then the narrative took a turn for the better with the appearance of Shark. I loved the concept of the inmates training service dogs. I've read about programs like that and think it's an excellent idea.

The characters of Rosie and Meghan were very well done (and I was rather surprised to see Meghan and I share the same last name! Not a very common one!) The dogs were wonderful! The author didn't fall into a trap of making the thoughts of the dogs sound too cutesy. They sounded exactly like one would expect dogs to think!

It was an interesting story with a feel-good ending. What more can one want?

Dog books always hit me right in the heart. This book got me good! There are trigger warnings and many readers always want spoilers when it comes to canine fiction because they often can't handle the emotions that come along with the dog characters. This book has fantastic story and emotion and characters. It is a keeper.

What a lovely book about two women who help each other and the dogs they love. Rosie joins a program to raise and train puppies while she's in prison for killing her fiancé- she backed over him with a car. She is estranged from her family and had only one friend who she's not in contact with either so Shark the puppy means more to her than she ever imagined. Meghan was a captain in the US Army until a life changing injury by an IED. She's paralyzed, has a bad hand, and there were burn as well. Shark becomes her dog and Rosie her friend. When Rosie is released from prison, finds herself working for a mysterious trust overseeing the renovation of an old home- and then she is found by Shadow the dog. These women are terrific but so are the other characters such as Tucker, Claire, and Marley. There's a lot of real emotion in this novel, which is honestly a heartwarmer. I'm a fan of Wilson, who has a way with telling a story, and that carried through here. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. An excellent read.

I cannot thank those who gave me the opportunity to read this book enough thanks. Net Galley, Susan Wilson and St Martin’s Press, thank you! This book centres around Rosie, a young woman sent to prison for an accident and Meghan, young woman seriously injured in the war, left in a wheelchair paralyzed and disfigured from fire. Rosie is a wonderful character with such depth that I felt every emotion she felt. When Rosie started the dog training I was already feeling that hurt in my heart that I knew she would feel when she had to hand Shark over to Meghan. Meghan comes across as a tough Army Captain but she is vulnerable and scared and this shows though the authors writing. The friendship these two women find is beautiful and life long, one built from disaster, pain and loss. Reading this book had me in tears and then smiling time and time again. I liked how it went from one woman to the other, blending their stories. When Shadow comes to Rosie my heart felt as if it may burst. Perhaps it is the fact I have three rescue dogs but the dogs in this story, especially their thoughts, were so important to me. This entire book left me treasuring my fur kids and my family. I felt the need to reach out to a friend. This book touched in so many topics, domestic abuse, ptsd, war, prison, family, love, dogs, friendship and forgiveness. I would give this book 10 stars if I could. I couldn’t put it down and read it through in one day. I feel anyone could read this book and find something that endears this book to them but I highly Recommend it to anybody that loves dogs.

I've read and enjoyed several of Wilson's books in the past - plus, I am an absolute sucker for fiction revolving around dogs! Largely split between two narrators, Rosie is from Boston, but a bad relationship ends up sending her to prison. Meghan is a veteran who returns home from her third tour of duty severely injured. A dog brings these two women together, but this is far from the only dog in the story. There's also a mythic sort of dog as well as other service animals.

This book moves along at a pretty consistent pace through as it explores both women's lives - and how their pasts brought them to their presents and how their dogs have brought them to new beginnings. The ending felt a bit abrupt to me - but I suppose that could just be because I wanted even more from their stories and their futures. I wasn't ready to say goodbye! There were a few times some of the phone calls didn't always follow logic, but other than that, this is an emotional and enjoyable read that I really couldn't put down. It's best enjoyed with a dog curled up next to you - but make sure to have the tissues handy before you get too cozy! I may mot have sobbed while reading this, but I definitely teared up a few times! I am looking forward to seeing what Wilson does next!

I really enjoyed this book where good humans make it through with the help of some canines. I thought the author did a great job with character development, even of the dogs. This heartwarming tale shows you that the dog we need comes into our lives at the right time when we need them. This book was more focused on character development than plot, so I understand it may not be for everyone, but it was for me.
The only thing I didn't like about this book was the random placement of complicated words that aren't commonly used. But it didn't take away from my enjoyment.

I am a sucker for books involving dogs. So, of course, I was going to read The Dog I Loved, which deals with the healing power of dogs.
Rose is in prison for voluntary manslaughter of her controlling boyfriend when she gets the chance to train puppies for service work. Meghan is a military vet, confined to a wheelchair, who sees a service dog as a means to independence and being able to escape living with her parents. Rosie trains Shark who becomes Meghan’s service dogs and the women become friends. And then, Rose gets early release and a job out in Dogtown.
We hear from both women. We also hear from Shark, the chocolate lab and Shadow, a stray. I can’t say I cared for those chapters but they were short. Later, Rosie finds Susannah Day’s journal from the 1830’s and I really enjoyed those bits as they give a sense of the history of Dogtown.
I enjoyed hearing both women’s current stories, especially as each attains an independent life and learn to trust people. Rose’s history with her boyfriend is interspersed. These chapters were harder for me, as she never addresses why she fell and stayed under this guy’s spell, because it’s quickly apparent he’s a true asshole (even before an unconscionable act). In fact, my one criticism of this book is that I expected more introspection from both women.
What Wilson always gets right is the love between a human and a dog, and a dogs ability to suss out the human’s needs. The scenes between humans and dogs were always spot on.
My thanks to netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.

Rosie comes from a large working class family. When she was working as a barista, she met and started dating Charles, who was rich and snooty. Rosie fell in love with him and he started molding and controlling her, causing a rift between her and her family. In a tragic accident, Charles is killed and his mother seeks revenge. With no money and no one to turn to for help, Rosie ends up going to prison for Charles' death. In prison, she eventually enters a program where she trains therapy dogs ... the first dog she trains is Shark.

Meghan was in the army and badly injured in the line of duty. She is now a paraplegic living with her parents. She welcomes the idea of getting a service dog so she can gain some independence back. She is matched with Shark, the dog Rosie had trained.

Rosie and Meghan become friends and remain friends when Rosie is surprisingly released from prison with the help of an advocates group. She is given a job as an overseer of an old historic house that is being renovated. As Rosie adapts to life outside of prison and gets a dog of her own named Shadow, Meghan moves out of her parents' house and moves on with her life with Shark.

I've read a few dog-related books by this author and I thought this one was okay. I was attracted to it because it's about dogs. I liked the writing style. It is written from different points of view ... it's first person from Rosie's perspective and third person when it is from Meghan's, Shark's and Shadow's perspective. The story jumps back and forth from the past to the present but it was obvious what the timeline was. Because of this, it took a while to find out Rosie's full story.

A wonderful story written from the perspective of two women whose paths cross when circumstance brings them together through the love of a dog. Each has lost control of their life and must work to restart and regain any sort of independence. My circle of reading friends call this type of book a "boo hisser". It will pull every emotional string you have and leave you feeling that maybe the world is not such a bad place after all. Susan Wilson obviously has invested her time and emotions to give us a cast of characters and a story line that is perfect for them. This is a story guaranteed to leave you feeling good when it ends.

This is a beautiful work of fiction which all dog lovers will enjoy. Based around the relationships between humans and dogs but also about love, friendship and the effects of PTSD. A lovely piece of women's fiction which I would recommend. My thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

I have several books by this author. I love how she tells stories about dogs. This book was so moving. I was brought to tears several times but I got so much out of this wonderful book.

I was captivated by the character development in this book. I really enjoyed getting to know not just the human characters of Rosie and Meghan better, but the dogs as well. There was an authenticity and depth to the story that I really enjoyed. My only nit is that the plot was good for about 3/4 of the book and then seemed to lose steam at the end. Everything seemed to resolve itself a bit too conveniently for my taste.

A lovely story the characters human and of the pup variety came in love.Thiscwas a warm wonderful read.looking forward to more by this author.#netgalley#st.martins

I am so happy to have been chosen to receive an advanced readers copy of this book. I am a fan of the author and love dogs more than most humans! This is a wonderfully written sweet, kind, difficult story about humans, their failures, their attempts to get up and start again even when it seems like the worlds goal is to keep kicking them back down again, resilience, secrets, abuse, war, PTSD, families, both loving and dysfunctional, hope and of course amazing dogs. Anyone who has even known the unconditional love of a dog will adore this book. Those who sadly have not yet had the experience and gift of that love will get some insight into the deep bonded love we can share with our canine friends and family. There are some prisons and jails that have dog training programs that save the lives of the prisoners, dogs and the people they ultimately go on to help, but they are mostly available to men. It was lovely to have this gift made available to women even if only fictionally.
Rosie, a victim of abuse has been convicted of murdering her abuser and is sentenced to 20 years. She had terrible representation, a vindictive ex almost mother in law with a lot of money and power and a family that she loved and supported turn against her. She keeps her head down and tries to get through each day. She is lucky enough to get accepted into the dog training program. Her first dog, Shark is assigned to Rosie, a war veteran desperately in need to help her find her way back to the land of the living. She is suffering both physically and emotionally due to her service to our Country. She is well deserving and falls for Shark the moment they meet, but when she sees the sadness in Meghans eyes she hatches a plan to help that will untimately alter the trajectory of Meghans life. The book is told from varied perspectives including the dogs. I don’t want to give away any spoilers so you all must read this wonderfully charming loving book, but will say that it is through the unconditional love of dogs that these women learn to live their lives again, gain confidence and learn to believe in themselves again.

4.5 stars

I’m a sucker for books with dogs, but the storyline is what sold me on this one!

Rosie and Meghan are both trying to rebuild their lives, but what brings them together is ultimately what saves them.

Rosie is in prison for a crime she didn’t intend to commit, but while there she joins a program to train service dogs...one of which will go to Meghan, a wheelchair-bound war vet. Suddenly Rosie finds herself free after receiving an early release, and is set up with a job overseeing the rehabilitation of a historical house all while trying to navigate through her new life. It is there that a stray dog she ironically names Shadow finds her, and soon she develops a new outlook on life...much like Meghan has after she received her service dog, Shark.

This story is about two women who are thrown together by very different circumstances, but they find a common ground through the dogs who help them heal and give their lives purpose again. I loved the POVs from the dogs too and thought it was a nice little addition to the story. It was definitely an emotional read and so heart-warming, but also emphasized the strength of the human spirit.

Highly recommend!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2994768251

Oh, Susan. You play at my weakest emotion: my love for the dogs in my life. Your book “One Good Dog” sits proudly on my shelf, only loaned to the most trusted and never, ever with the dust jacket (I keep it here to preserve it). Your new book “The Dog I Loved” will meet the same destiny. This is a story you want to hug gently, rock like a baby, share quiet times with, cherish and reflect on.
Two strong women spinning wildly from bad results, both based on choices they made, one shallow, one selfless get thrown into the same arena by chance. Rose is serving time for accidentally killing a man she’s glad is dead. Meghan is trying to accept her new and limited body, the result of a bomb blast while on her third tour of duty. Their common bond is a young service dog in training, Shark (his perspective and thoughts throughout the book are priceless).
A beautifully written testament to the healing power and unconditional love of a dog, any pet lover will have trouble keeping a dry eye through this so very believable story. Replenishing a damaged soul’s belief in forgiveness, bonds, love, and friendship is the duty and pleasure of the haphazard, four-legged mini-tornadoes of one of God’s greatest creatures, the dog.
(I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks so much to St. Martin’s Press (big shout-out to Jordan) and NetGalley for making it available.)

I love when books have a theme around the love of a dog. One woman is in jail and will learn to love again with the help of a prison dog training program. Another woman is a wounded veteran soldier who is angry with her new life of dependence on her family. Together, with the love of an animal, these women start the path to their healing. This is a wonderful book that I thoroughly enjoyed and cannot wait to share with my librarian friends! A full, definitely more thorough review will be posted on my blog by 9-14-19. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book!

CelticsLibrary.com

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I am a sucker for books with dogs, or any animal really. I often find myself relaxing at the end of a long, busy day with a book in one hand and the other rubbing the velvety soft ears of my Golden Retriever mix. Now and then he will crack open his honey brown eyes and I can’t help but feel special that he chose me seven years ago at the humane society. We take for granted our daily freedoms as a society. We get to walk out the door and go wherever we want, choose our own daily activities, decide what we want to eat and more without a thought of those who are unable to make choices of their own anymore.

Rosie Collins can no longer make her own decisions and is in constant danger as she does her time in prison for the murder of her fiancé. She must learn the ropes quickly and grow a spine if she ever wants to survive her new way of life. Her cellmates come and go quickly and the hierarchy must be established quickly each time between the two women. The food is tasteless, she’s cooped up in her cell most of the time and the days and years tick by in a steady yet slow fashion. Her break finally comes when she hears about a prison program that allows inmates to train service dogs. Rosie’s days finally have purpose when her first puppy arrives for her to train. A strong bond quickly forms even though she knows that her time with her puppy, Shark, will be only a matter of months. There will be other puppies if she is successful, but Shark is special to her and always will be.

Meghan is a disabled veteran who is not used to anyone helping her. She misses her independence, her other soldiers. Friendships come and go as soldiers return home to their lives and families after their time is done and none never keep in contact. Now she has to face a life of depending on others for her every need...or is there another option? By chance, Meghan hears about a prison program where inmates train service dogs to help people gain independence once more. Meghan decides to eventually jump on the chance and a relationship blooms where it may have been seen as nearly impossible. Two women’s lives are changed forever because of their various choices and one loveable Labrador.

This book truly did give me “all of the feels” and I highly recommend you give this a try if you like the underdogs (and dogs!) of the world. Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Rosie is sent to prison, and is released after 6 years of her 20 after her case is reviewed and the conviction determined to be unjust. She has trained service dogs through a prison program, and becomes friends with Meghan, the disabled veteran who is matched with the dog she trained. There are several stories in this novel. I really liked the one with the service dogs and the veterans. I really disliked the one about Rosie's cruel ex. I was kind of shocked that a book aimed at dog lovers would have her ex kill her dog.

If a dog has ever owned your heart, you will understand how two strong-willed women were healed all because of a special canine. You will also believe in a dog’s mission in life, because they are a special companion throughout humanity’s history.

THE DOG I LOVED by Susan Wilson is a heartwarming tale of personal redemption, growth and bonds formed. Told through the POVs of the two main characters, as well as a canine POV, follow along as a prison inmate learns to trust again when she is placed in the service dog training program. Her life will be further changed when she meets the wheelchair-bound war vet who will take the dog she has trained. What neither woman expected was the bond they would share between themselves or how much they truly needed a real friend, both human and canine as they each find a dog that feeds their souls.

Wonderful, reading, superb characters that are flawed, yet not broken. The dogs? They have a magic all their own!

I received a complimentary ARC edition from St. Martin's Press! My honest review is voluntary.

Publisher: St. Martin's Press (November 12, 2019)
Publication Date: November 12, 2019
Genre: Women's Fiction
Print Length: 368 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
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This is my first, and certainly not my last book I have read of Susan Wilson. Amazing and beautiful story of a woman serving a harsh prison sentence, given a fortuitous opportunity to train puppies for service dogs to others in the outside world, and changes her and others’ lives for the better. Explores incarceration, family dynamics, relationships, friendships, PTSD, veterans, and the wonder of dogs. Clear and concise, was told from many different viewpoints including several dogs. I laughed and shed a tear or two as I read this. Having worked with and volunteered with both populations, I found myself cheering inwardly for the two main characters. In today’s sometimes mean and depressing world, this story was uplifting and full of hope and faith. Would highly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and Susan Wilson for an ARC of 'The Dog. Opinions are my own.