One Year in the Life of a Dog

Book excerpt: One Year in the Life of a Dog By LTC Clifton H. Deringer Jr. USA (Ret.) “Tip” One Year in the Life of a Dog follows the story of Friend, a dog that can hear the thoughts of humans and respond telepathically. There are humans who are gifted with understanding the telepathy in animals and a university student who interviews Friend is blessed with such a gift. The book follows their interactions and various events that occur within their world. Intrigue, deception, kidnapping, and prejudice are woven seamlessly with love, understanding, sympathy, and acceptance. Barney and Jeff, Friend’s owners, are a homosexual, bi-racial couple. Seeing their lives from Friend’s point of view speaks on many levels to how ridiculous and outdated prejudice is. Barney and Jeff are just as loving and fulfilled as any other happy couple. Many of the characters with whom Friend interacts are not open to the couple’s way of life, but quickly realize their mistake when they see how lovely Barney and Jeff truly are. There are harrowing situations that breed a deeper understanding of the differences between people; this book is truly a tool to teach readers to love all, despite the different ways the characters live their lives.