I have just finished today reading the sequel of "A Dog's Purpose," book by W. Bruce Cameron. He is my new favorite author when it comes to dog novels. I have seen all of his novels that were made into movies namely, "A Dog's Purpose," and "A Dog's Way Home." I have both enjoyed watching these films.
"A Dog's Journey," will be shown in theaters this 2019, and I am excited to watch it. Movie adaptation, aren't really 100% the same as with the novel. There's a difference. Plus, you cannot really put all the story details in the movie, because of the limited time. If you plan on reading the book, and watching the movie, then you shouldn't continue reading this blog post of mine.
I have read, "A Dog's Purpose," and there are differences in the novel, and movie. In the book, Ethan died, while in the movie the ending is happily ever after with Hannah, and Buddy (Bailey). The novel, "A Dog's Journey," picks up after Ethan died, and Buddy was recalling his memories with 'his boy' Ethan, and then Clarity or CJ for short was introduced as a tiny tot, together with her mom Gloria, whom I considered a sort of villain in the novel. In the movie Ethan asked Buddy to take care of Clarity as Bailey (Buddy) did for him. Then in the book we see how Molly (Bailey, Buddy in his past life) crossed paths with a grown Clarity. We are also introduced to her best friend Trent, who has a dog also, named Rocky. In this lifetime Molly (Bailey), and Rocky were siblings. The writer of this novel incorporates the theory of reincarnation in his stories, as Bailey becomes reborn again, until he finds the person he's meant to watch over.
Molly will die in the beginning of the story, due to a car accident. Then she will be reborn again, and be a small dog named Max. He will find his way, and will be back in Clarity's arms. She's an adult now. The character of Clarity, or CJ is kind of problematic. She has issues with herself. You will know that she has an eating disorder. She always pukes (vomits) after eating. I'm glad that she has a good friend like Trent who has been there all her life. CJ seems to be choosing the wrong things in her life, especially the man in her life. During her teenage years she was imvolved with a delinquent guy, and because of that guy, she was ordered to do a community work. She chose a dog program. After all the ups, and downs in the story, CJ and Trent ended up together. But its not happy ending still. Trent has cancer. Max, having the memory of Molly makes the signal when he smelled Trent's breath. CJ will remember the previous actions of her late dog Molly. In the novel, dogs were trained to signal, when they smelled something off in a person's breath. In the book it is mentioned that dogs have a sense of smell that's as much as a hundred thousand times more intense than ours. I believe in this. Dogs have a super sense, and a super smell. since I read that a dog helped a person with a skin cancer detect her condition in an earlier stage. (The dog licked a suspicious mole everytime, and the woman had it checked. It was skin cancer.)
Fast forward, Trent was cured. CJ continued her treatment and medication. She committed suicide before, and it resulted to the damage of her kidneys. Because of that they cannot have babies. Despite of that, Trent didn't love her less. Trent died ahead of CJ, she's a bit older now, and her mom, Gloria is in some sort of facility where they care for the sick elderly. CJ also worked there after the death of her mother, and she even got herself admitted. This time Toby (Molly, Bailey) was there again. Toby helped a lot of patients. He knows when a person is gonna go (die), and he goes to them to comfort them. What I like in this novel is that it is really realistic. Life is not always a bed of roses. We each all have a burden to bear. Not all of us have perfect families. We all get depressed. Also, death is inevitable. I remember when I posted on the social media before that "I am sad." My former co-teacher/friend before, commented "Get a dog." I took that advice negatively before. Because, I thought what I want is a person, not an animal. It is only now that I get to appreciate, and realize how special dogs are, now that I have my own dog.
The novel has a happy ending. Ethan, and Bailey were united in the afterlife together with CJ, and all of their loved ones. I'd like to think that there are dogs in heaven too, and when I also leave this world, I and my beloved dog will meet again someday. I'm sure, God made dogs to be our companions, also because dogs are good teachers too of loyalty, and love.
"A Dog's Journey," is one beautiful, tearjerker novel. I did cry while reading this. I'm glad I picked up this novel. If you are a dog lover/owner. I recommend this book for you. Two thumbs up!
