Patron Saint of Lost Dogs

"Grab this book. I'm not kidding. You're going to love this story. There's romance, redemption, a dog named Frieda and a whole lot more. This is a book you won't ever want to end." --Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author

With the help of a black Labrador gifted in the art of swallowing underwear, a Persian cat determined to expose her owner's lover as a gold digger, and the allure of a feisty, pretty waitress from the local diner, Cyrus gets caught up in a new community and its endearing residents, both human and animal. Sensing he may have misjudged the past, he begins to realize it's not just his patients that need healing.

The Patron Saint of Lost Dogs is a winsome tale of new beginnings, forgiveness, and the joy of finding your way home.

Nick Trout graduated from veterinary school at the University of Cambridge in 1989. He is a staff surgeon at the prestigious Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston; the author of three books, the New York Times bestseller Tell Me Where It Hurts, Love Is the Best Medicine, and Ever By My Side; and is a contributing columnist for The Bark magazine. He lives in Massachusetts with his wife, Kathy, and their adopted Labradoodle, Thai.

"Smartly written . . . reminiscent of the work of James Herriot."--Publishers Weekly

"A doggone charming tale . . . two paws up." --Kirkus

"Trout's charming novel strikes just the right balance between humor and drama. The cast of characters are delightfully entertaining . . . Highly recommended for anyone who has ever had a beloved pet."--Library Journal (starred)

"A delightful, endearing, and frequently hilarious story . . . that reminds us of the truth that is hidden away in our hearts: loving our animals is a sure way to heal our souls."--Garth Stein, author of the New York Times bestseller, The Art of Racing in the Rain

"I stayed up long into the night laughing and marveling at Trout's adept hand."--Jacqueline Sheehan, New York Times bestselling author of Picture This

"Engaging, insightful, and full of the genial warmth that makes Nick Trout's other work such a joy to read."--Gwen Cooper, New York Times bestselling author of Homer's Odyssey

"Every bit as sweet and slightly goofy as the golden retriever who sets Nick Trout's romp of a novel into a whirl of motion that never lets up from the very first page. . . . I dare you to feel crabby after reading this book."--Bob Tarte, author of Kitty Cornered and Enslaved by Ducks

“What Ellen Cooney captures so brilliantly here is the psychological and emotional similarities between dogs and people — the way both respond to trauma and pain, and the way love and kindness can heal even the deepest wounds. The Mountaintop School for Dogs is a celebration of the bond that has brought canines and humans together for thousands of years. This book will grab your heart and not let go." — John Grogan, author of Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World’s Worst Dog

“The Mountaintop School for Dogs and Other Second Chances is both a joyful romp and a wise, engaging meditation on dogs, love, and recovery from pain. Come. Sit. Read!” — Lily King, author of Euphoria and Father of the Rain

“Is there such a thing as a Rescue Book? Well, there is now. This is a miracle of a book. It’s even a spiritual handbook. And it is for readers young and old and all of the in-between. Cooney is such a wise genius of a writer, and her sentences keep surprising you, but are never the point in themselves. I read with a kind of mental breathlessness. If Cooney needs someone to convince her to write a sequel, I volunteer." — Gail Godwin, author of Evensong, Unfinished Desires, and many others

“Dogs were bred by us to serve us in practical ways, but then dogs took it on themselves to serve us most profoundly by healing our broken hearts. Ellen Cooney understands this, and is the kind of keenly observational writer who can detail the path to healing only dogs can provide. A delightful read for all of us who can’t imagine life without dogs.” —W. Bruce Cameron, New York Times best-selling author of A Dog’s Purpose and A Dog’s Journey

“The real genius of this story is in all the things it doesn’t tell you, all the things it assumes you already know — and turns out, you do! — which leaves much more space to be taken up by what really matters: the marvelous canines. Any dog lover — any person lover — will be moved (nearly to the point of slobbering) by this warm, funny, heart-expanding book.” — Pam Houston, author of Sight Hound and Contents May Have Shifted

“A young woman who knows she’s lost and an older woman who doesn’t think she is meet a slew of cast-away dogs at a snowy, mountaintop sanctuary, and discover what they didn’t even know they were looking for. A charming novel about overcoming the past and finding meaning and purpose in the present.” — Susan Richards, author of Chosen by a Horse

“This is a jubilant, wise celebration of love, reciprocal between human and canine, in ways profound, moving, and soul saving. Readers will long remember the central humans in this tale — Evie, Mrs. Auberchon, and Giant George — along with the exquisitely drawn cast of rescued dogs who, in their own delightful, mysterious, and silent ways, heal their rescuers’ wounds. Ellen Cooney has written a funny, joyous, and heartrending book that insists intelligence and kindness must win out over ignorance and cruelty. Exploring the human and canine hearts with equal doses of wisdom and wit, it is surely a book to be read and reread preferably with your dog nestled by your side.” — Connie May Fowler, author of Before Women Had Wings and When Katie Wakes

“Dog by dog by dog by Evie, the star-crossed protagonist, practically a stray herself, we come to understand that we’re all a little bit unadoptable, a little bit misused, and ready for sure for some loving kindness, the kind that surpasseth understanding, and that only a dog can give. Ellen Cooney has written a timeless primer to healing, surviving, transcending, and to a rarified communication that runs both ways and back again. I read this book with a cup of tea in my hand and my dog at my side (Baila, a golden). She wagged when I laughed, growled when I gasped, licked my face when I cried, damn it, woof. These animals know a good book when they sniff one.” — Bill Roorbach, author of Life Among Giants and Writing Life Stories

“Cooney’s latest novel is both a joyful romp and a thoughtful meditation. The author’s delicate touch with the pain and trauma endured by abused animals and her sensitive portrayal of dedicated rescuers send a powerful message. Love is a great teacher and we are all a little unadoptable. Readers of Garth Stein and Carolyn Parkhurst will adore this title." —Library Journal

“Cooney’s good-natured narrative teaches readers about many different aspects of dog behavior and training alongside Evie, making the book ideal for animal aficionados . . . Dog lovers rejoice! Cooney has crafted an uncomplicated, feel-good, canine-filled tale of cross-generational friendship, healing, and solidarity.” — Publishers Weekly

“As knowledgeable as she is about the world of dog rescue and rehabilitation, Cooney is equally empathic in her treatment of a scarred and scared young woman.” — Booklist

“Must-read . . . A brilliantly crafted, uplifting book.” — The Bark

The Sanctuary. High up on the mountain, the Sanctuary is a home for strays and rescued dogs. Once the indomitable Mrs. Auberchon lets her pass, Evie joins a training program there — never mind that she doesn’t know a thing about animals. But when she’s finally on the mountain with staffers, volunteers, and the dogs, Evie learns quickly, finding refuge in the Sanctuary as the dogs do. For, like the racing greyhound who won’t move, the golden retriever who returns every time he’s adopted, and the Rottweiler failing at search-and-rescue, Evie has a troubled past. A worthy shelf-mate to books by Garth Stein and Carolyn Parkhurst, this is a heartfelt novel about finding in your fellow animals a deeper sense of home, healing, and hope for a fresh future.

"This book will grab your heart and not let go." —John Grogan, author of Marley & Me

“A wise, engaging meditation on dogs, love, and recovery from pain. Come. Sit. Read!” —Lily King, author of Euphoria and The Pleasing Hour

“If you’ve ever loved a dog, this book is a must-read.” —Missourian 

The Sanctuary is a refuge for strays and rescued dogs. Evie has joined a training program there, though she knows almost nothing about animals. Like the greyhound who won’t move, the Rottweiler with attitude problems, or the hound who might be a candidate for search-and-rescue, Evie has a troubled past. But as they all learn, no one should stay prisoner to a life she didn’t choose. Heartfelt and hilarious in turn, this is a deeply moving story of the countless ways in which humans and canines help each other find new lives, new selves, and new hope.

“This is a miracle of a book . . . Cooney is such a wise genius of a writer, and her sentences keep surprising you, but are never the point in themselves. I read with a kind of mental breathlessness.  If Cooney needs someone to convince her to write a sequel, I volunteer.” —Gail Godwin, author of Evensong and Publishing

“A moving and joyous romp . . . All the dogs are wonderfully, fully drawn characters . . . A brilliantly crafted, uplifting book.” —The Bark