When a woman unexpectedly loses her best friend and mentor, she finds herself burdened with the unwanted dog he has left behind. Her own battle against grief is intensified by the mute suffering of the dog, a huge Great Dane traumatized by the inexplicable disappearance of its master, and by the threat of eviction: dogs are prohibited in her apartment building.A moving story of love, friendship, grief, healing, and the magical bond between a woman and her dog. National Book Award Finalist.