Synopsis

A family’s old, beloved dog takes a final road trip to help his humans find forgiveness and healing.

Meg Gorton finds herself alone and lonely in Florida. Three years earlier, she had packed what she could fit into her sister’s car and asked her estranged husband, Gary, to take care of Moses, their beloved black Labrador. Things between Meg and Gary hadn’t been the same after the loss of their only daughter many years ago. Even after raising their grandson, Troy, it was clear that if Meg wanted a new beginning, she would have to do it alone.

Haunted by the tragedy of his daughter’s death, Gary is stuck in his life in Woodstock, Virginia. He still owns and drives the bus for their hometown minor league baseball team, and he still thinks about the day his wife drove away.

Everything changes when Meg contacts Gary with a request to bring Moses to visit her one last time before the old dog passes on. Gary is reluctant, but Troy thinks it’s an excellent idea. They could even travel together in Gary’s bus. Along the way, Gary takes a detour to visit Troy’s ex-girlfriend, Grace. Gary might not know how to fix things with his wife, but he knows he doesn’t want Troy to make the same mistakes he did.

Although Moses is just a dog, he’s very observant. It doesn’t take long for him to figure out they are going on to see Meg. He knows he’s an old dog and that his time is near, but he also knows his family needs his help.

Even the Dog Knows is a novel that will take readers on a thousand-mile journey to find forgiveness, understanding, healing, and the meaning of true and lasting love.

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Praise

“Jason has gone back to his roots. Even the Dog Knows is a compelling relationships story of secrets and second chances, hurt and healing, doubts and detours. But above all this fast-paced road trip journey is about what matters most—family.” —Glenn Beck, Nationally Syndicated Radio Host and Founder TheBlaze.com

“Outstanding and brilliant. This heartfelt story is packed with laughter and tears and takes readers on the road trip of a lifetime, reminding us of the most important things in life. Sure to be an instant classic that cries out for repeated binge reading.” —Rebecca Connolly, author of A Brilliant Night of Stars and Ice

“Jason Wright’s new masterpiece is an example of how family, love and friendship can save us in times of great woe and trouble. EVEN THE DOG KNOWS delivers twists and turns within a heartfelt tale that teaches us how to work through our most harrowing times. Here’s the quick takeaway—read it!” —Herb Scribner, Deseret News

“Join a team of relatable flawed characters who will quickly feel like family along this hopeful journey of regret, reconciliation, and the chance to find beauty through grief and love through loss. As readers have come to expect from Jason F. Wright’s novels, this latest tale, EVEN THE DOG KNOWS, keeps the curveballs coming until the very end.” —Josette Keelor, The Northern Virginia Daily

Review

This is such a touching story that encompasses multiple family members and the issues that they are dealing with, and even Moses the dog has some thoughts about everything that is going on with his family.

A tragedy happened 20 years ago which caused Gary and Meg to raise their grandson, Troy. Gary is obsessed with baseball and when Troy shows promise, he thinks that Troy will be the one that makes it in the world of baseball. That is a lot of pressure to put on someone, but Gary didn’t do it intentionally or knowingly. But in the midst of his obsession, he manages to shut out Meg. Everyone grieves differently, and sometimes it is the awareness to realize that losing the love of your life may not be the best way to deal with tragedy.

The journey that Gary, Meg, and Troy are on in this story brings in others that have their own intertwining story. Grace is Troy’s high school sweetheart and they seem to have lost their path with each other but that doesn’t mean it isn’t still there. There are just some discussions they need to have to find out if they can recover what was lost. Macy is Meg’s home health aide, but there is so much more to her story that we discover at the end. You may be able to figure it out, but maybe not. Then there is Mark and Beverage, a hitchhiker and his dog that Gary and Troy pick up. Mark is no ordinary hitchhiker and he definitely isn’t homeless, but his story is touching just the same and it gives Gary and Troy something to think about when it comes to relationships in their own lives.

This journey is about self-discovery, finding love again, and realizing that what was lost can be found. There are so many touching and moving parts to this story and it is just a feel-good story that all can enjoy. I think they should have included a picture of the bus that is a story of its own.

We give this book 5 paws up.

About the Author

JASON F. WRIGHT is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today best-selling author. He is also the host of the popular podcast Wright Where You Are. He writes an occasional column, which has appeared in over one hundred newspapers, magazines, and websites across the United States including the Washington Times, the Northern Virginia Daily, the Chicago Tribune, the Deseret News, Forbes, CNN.com, FoxNews.com, and others.

Jason grew up in Charlottesville, Virginia, but has also lived in Germany, Illinois, Brazil, Oregon, and Utah. In 2007, while researching Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley for a novel, Jason fell so in love with the area that he moved his family to Woodstock. He is married to Kodi Erekson Wright. They have two girls and two boys they love, and two grandchildren they love even more.

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