I picked up Dog by Robert J Blake (1994) because the cover art was so familiar. It’s strikingly similar to the cover of Floss by Kim Lewis (1992). Both covers show the head and upper body of a dog in the foreground. One dog leans against a stone wall, the other leans against a fence.Both books show Irish countryside in the background. This is the story of a dog who suddenly appears out of nowhere to enrich the life of a reluctant, somewhat cranky the old man. On the jacket cover of Dog, Blake says that he met the main character of his story and painted the place where Peter lived. One can imagine the persistent dog seeking companionship. And some of us know bitter old men who want nothing more to do with the world. It takes a dog to warm Peter's cold heart - just enough. Not so much as to give the dog anymore of the name besides Dog.
