Though many owners talk to their dogs, Stella actually talks back-and not with a simple bark, either. A Lab-shepherd mix, her chats with Paul are infused with her particularly dry sense of humor, and truth be told, that's exactly what Paul needs right now. Though he's a successful writer who pens the popular For Morons series, everything else in his life seems to be off track: His father has suffered a stroke, his girlfriend is dating another man, he's thoroughly out of shape and he's spending entirely too much time at his favorite bar ("Do you realize you're only slightly less routinized than a cat?" asks Stella). Stella seems to know Paul better than he knows himself, and is always offering lots of sage advice and unconditional love. Written by Pete Nelson, I Thought You Were Dead is at once heartwarming, heartbreaking, and heart-wrenchingly funny. As Paul struggles to get a handle on his drinking and repair his relationship with his father, his trusty pup is with him every step of the way. This is a sweet, surprisingly moving story, a tale that proves that with a good dog by your side-especially a wise and witty conversationalist like Stella-anything is possible.

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