Follow Here To Purchase Just Bill

Author: Barry Knister

Publisher: Gold Mountain Press

ISBN:  978-0-9821588-0-7

Dogs get old. People get old. When both dogs and humans grow old together, much can be learned and appreciated from each other. In Barry Knister’s novel, Just Bill, the author captivates the mind and heart of the dog and the love and compassion of the dog owner.

This one hundred and seventy three page paperback front jacket cover has a black and white photograph of a large black and white Labrador mix dog sitting at attention in a pile of leaves, patiently waiting and staring, begging to catch the eye of the reader. The back jacket has a long quoted paragraph from another writer, unassumingly not related to the story inside, only about an owner’s dog. There are no reviews included in the book, only a short biography of the writer at the end of the book.

This is a short read in casual format with no grammatical or typographical errors noticed. The writing is breezy and quick, with dashes to help the reader know when the dogs are speaking to one another.

The story is of Bill, a huge Labrador that Fred finds in the forest at his cabin in Michigan. Being snowbirds, Fred and his wife also reside in a golf course community, taking big Bill with them wherever they go.

Not only does a reader comprehend the interactions between Bill and his mister and missus and how the mutt longs to obey and be a wonderful dog, but relationships are established with other dogs in the community and their owners. Key neighbours include a widower with a small dog who needs to consider assisted retirement living and a young widower who looses both her newfound husband and his dog and tries desperately to redeem herself of guilt.

Bill also has to deal with his owner’s son and his new wife, a granddaughter who has growing-up issues, a grandson who is a wanderer and a baby, all of which he does not understand. Other dogs compare stories of their owners’ rules, ways and problems. If it is not being sent to the animal shelter, having to go through a thunderstorm or being allowed off leash during a walk, Bill shows his fear, trauma, pride and love of his master.

Without giving away the ending, this is a very charming, sympathetic and compassionate story that can bring both a smile and tear to the eye. Knister does an impressive job of showing mankind how his “best friend” is loyal to the core and always trying to impress his or her owner. Having a three year old beagle, this reader could easily relate to the circumstances of growing old together and realizing the need for one another.