“Everyone in the family loved me and played with me, of course, but I had a sure sense that Burke needed me.”
Bailey is back for a final important mission. Safe and loved in the afterlife, CJ tells him he has to go back and is sent to Ethan’s great grandson, Burke. Burke was born a paraplegic and needs a dog to help him get around. He trains Cooper, Bailey’s new name, to do steady, assist and pull. Yet, one day Burke can have a surgery that can help him walk and Cooper is no longer needed. Cooper does meet the love of his life, though, and has puppies with Lacey.
A Dog’s Promise is the third and final book in the series that includes A Dog’s Purpose and A Dog’s Journey. I’ve enjoyed all of these books as they are written from the dog’s perspective and propose that dogs sometimes have a purpose in humans’ lives. I’ve also read Emory’s Gift and really enjoyed the story.
A Dog’s Promise also tells the story of Burke’s family. His mother left when he was young and his older brother doesn’t think it’s fair that he has to help with all the work on the farm while Burke doesn’t. The three guys all have issues and it causes a huge rift in the family. It doesn’t help that the farm is losing money, too. Their futures may depend on what Bailey can do in his lives on Earth.
I would recommend all three books to mature high school readers and older. The books tell good messages about love, loyalty and family. It would be a good series for a book club, too. I really loved how it all ended.
Are you a dog lover? Share a dog story in the comments below!