It has bee three years since Meredith Mancuso's fiance, Kyle, was murdered. After all the "what ifs", Meredith has become a recluse. A successful author of a romantic Ghost Ranch series, Meredith is blocked and having trouble creating her overdue sequel. Countless, unanswered calls from her editor, threatening her to return the money paid in advance. She sleeps constantly and when awake, she watches cooking shows on TV with the sound muted. Piles of dirty dishes, unread mail, she is unkempt not bothering to shower or comb her hair. She ignores all communication from family and friends.
One afternoon, her sister, Monica, knocks at her apartment door; she is holding a Yorkshire Terrier, named Prozac. Prozac is the pet of Monica's best client, Helen Hendrix. Helen has been hospitalized with a broken ankle, and she has asked Monica to pet-sit. Monica is allergic and is unable to do it. Because Meredith works from home, Monica feels she can do her a favor and care for Prozac. After refusing, Monica begs Meredith to come to her aid. Meredith relents. Prozac is left in her care and their journey together begins.
Never having a pet, Meredith and Prozac have a rocky beginning. Their time together is full of trials and hilarious experiences. Prozac is a Certified Therapy Dog who has a busy schedule with standing appointments with "his people" at Evergreen Gardens, which is an independent living facility. Prozac is a star there, who has his own fan club including a judge. The residents of Evergreen Gardens are colorful, loving, and each with a story all their own. Prozac is truly special, smart, loved by all. He always makes the person feel better, leaving them with a smile on their face. Meredith finds new friends, a sweet romance with Razzle-Dazzle David Radcliff, who I fell in love with too.
I had to put THE THING IS down almost at the conclusion and think about the unexpected events happening; I cried and continued on. Kathleen Gerard is a sterling storyteller who held my heart in her hands from start to finish. I recommend THE THING IS to everyone who is a pet lover (or not) and to anyone who is grieving or facing the unknown. THE THING IS brings hope, happiness, and new beginnings. This is my BEST read this year, and my thanks and kudos to Ms. Gerard. You nailed it!
Can a woman mired deep in the throes of grief have
her
heart and soul rallied by a therapy dog with supernatural
wisdom and a canine Mensa IQ?
Meredith Mancuso is depressed. Ever
since the death of her fiancΓ©, she has shrunk from the
world. Even with her
successful writing career, she's not motivated to work.
When
her sister,
Monica, begs for a favor, Meredith wants nothing more than
to say no. But sheβs
ultimately roped into pet-sitting an orphaned Yorkshire
terrier named Prozac.
Blessed with spiritual wisdom and a
high IQ, Prozac is an active pet therapy dog. To heal
broken-hearted Meredith,
he rallies his fan club at Evergreen Gardens, an
independent
living facility,
where he visits each week.
Prozac and the community of resilient older
folks challenged by losses of their own propel Meredith,
often against her
will, back into the land of the living. Meredith learns
that
most people carry
some sort of burden, but it's still possible to find
meaning, purpose, and
joyβand sometimes, even loveβalong the way.
No excerpt available.
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