The Dog Ray

By Linda Coggin

A girl returns to Earth as a dog, seeking her family and new purpose.

3.8/5 Goodreads · 502 ratings

208 pages

$15.99Save 6%

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Bookroo's summary

After a sudden accident, twelve-year-old Daisy finds herself in an unexpected afterlife, only to be sent back to Earth as a dog named Ray. With her human memories intact, Daisy is determined to reunite with her family. But as she navigates her new canine existence, she discovers unexpected joys and challenges, forming bonds and learning about loyalty and acceptance. Can Daisy find her way back home, or will her new life as Ray lead her to a different kind of happiness? This journey explores the depths of love, grief, and hope in a unique and touching way.

From the publisher

By turns humorous, poignant, and moving, this tale of a girl who comes back to Earth as a dog is a nuanced portrait of death, love, grief, and hope. When my death came it was swift. Swift as a running horse. It wasted no time. Daisy, age twelve, has died in a car accident. She finds herself in the afterworld, which resembles nothing more than a job center. Her soul is being returned to Earth, but not as a human being–she’s returning as a dog. A dog who retains Daisy’s thoughts and pluck and is determined to get back to her parents and to get back home. What she doesn’t expect is that life as a dog named Ray would come with such worries–and moments of jubilation–as she grows to care for others in a whole new way. Told in a compelling first-person voice, Linda Coggin’s incredible novel touches on loyalty and freedom, connection and acceptance, and is sure to stay with readers long after the story is done.

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