Books: A touching story that you’ll keep as a companion

Whether you’re a dog-lover, or simply a dog-liker, you must read Abigail Thomas’ memoir “A Three Dog Life.” This book is a stark telling of a woman’s life after an accident turns it upside-down.

When the book begins, Abigail’s husband has been hit by a car while walking their dog, Harry, and is recovering from traumatic brain injury in the hospital.

As time wears on and Abigail comes to accept the fact that Rich is permanently brain-damaged and will never be the same again, she finds solace in the comfort of her canine companions. Soon, her one pet becomes two, then two become three.

The unconditional love and warmth that she receives from Harry, Rosie and Carolina help to fill her days with purpose and acceptance. Abigail does not feel sorry for herself, or for her husband. She expresses her feelings, her doubts, her sometimes laziness with candor and without guilt. Abigail gave up on guilt a long time ago.

When a book can, within one paragraph, make the reader laugh, sigh and cry, then you know you have a classic on your hands. Abigail’s emotions are so raw and truthful — yet so unapologetic — that you find yourself wanting to thank her for being so brave as to display herself with such carefree abandon.

This is a woman we want to know — and you will know her after reading this book.

“A Three Dog Life” is a fast-pace, entertaining story that is difficult to put down. Once you are finished, it is one of those books you will want to pass around so your friends and loved ones can experience what you’ve just experienced. My copy is already in the mail, with a dog-lover friend anticipating its arrival.