W. Bruce Cameron adds to his kennel of novels narrated by dogs in this predictable tale of a dog separated from her person, who then makes a long and perilous journey for reunification.
There aren't really any surprises here, but it's generally well-written (except for the straw-men villains) and takes a look at a couple of contemporary issues in addition to Bella's trip. He takes a look at the breed exclusion laws passed in many communities, targeting "pit bulls"; (which are not a recognized AKC breed but rather a type) and the often capricious manner in which individual animals are identified as belonging to the target group. The other, more pervasive theme, has to do with difficulties faced by military veterans with service-related issues such as PTSD or its frequent traveling companion, substance abuse. The two issues combine to drive both Bella's separation from her person and to help resolve the underlying problems when she finally reaches her destination.
Along the way, she meets and interacts with several people and animals, some of whom help and some of whom hinder, but all of whom she must eventually leave or escape from in order to continue her trek.
Cameron also has some fun with the narrative language, as Bella puts her own unique spin on the human oddities, habits, and tasks that impinge on her world. As usual with Cameron's canine protagonists, Bella has many influences in her puppyhood and life, not the least of which is being fostered by a mother cat when she's separated from her own mother before weaning. This leads to several later incidents involving cats which Bella happily hangs out with, even though she finds many of their habits odd.
Cameron unashamedly manipulates readers' emotions -- always a balancing act between pulling them into the story and offending them through sheer condescension. Individual reactions will depend on how the reader feels about dogs in general and whether they are able to accept some of the more unlikely scenarios.
There aren't really any surprises here, but it's generally well-written (except for the straw-men villains) and takes a look at a couple of contemporary issues in addition to Bella's trip. He takes a look at the breed exclusion laws passed in many communities, targeting "pit bulls"; (which are not a recognized AKC breed but rather a type) and the often capricious manner in which individual animals are identified as belonging to the target group. The other, more pervasive theme, has to do with difficulties faced by military veterans with service-related issues such as PTSD or its frequent traveling companion, substance abuse. The two issues combine to drive both Bella's separation from her person and to help resolve the underlying problems when she finally reaches her destination.
Along the way, she meets and interacts with several people and animals, some of whom help and some of whom hinder, but all of whom she must eventually leave or escape from in order to continue her trek.
Cameron also has some fun with the narrative language, as Bella puts her own unique spin on the human oddities, habits, and tasks that impinge on her world. As usual with Cameron's canine protagonists, Bella has many influences in her puppyhood and life, not the least of which is being fostered by a mother cat when she's separated from her own mother before weaning. This leads to several later incidents involving cats which Bella happily hangs out with, even though she finds many of their habits odd.
Cameron unashamedly manipulates readers' emotions -- always a balancing act between pulling them into the story and offending them through sheer condescension. Individual reactions will depend on how the reader feels about dogs in general and whether they are able to accept some of the more unlikely scenarios.
