\“Doglegs\” is not simply a dog story but also an emotional adult triangle, with all the requisite plot twists: crime, punishment, redemption. The narrative intertwines tragedy with comedy and whimsy. And in the process of unfolding the human story, \“Doglegs\” also unfolds a treatise on the relative merits of humans and canines. Thematically, the novel demonstrates that-in terms of intuition, devotion, and purity of spirit-dogs are the masters, while humans, all too often, behave like animals.

Most of the pivotal action takes place in a wooded area called Doglegs. The woods become symbolic of the obstructed human perspective. The title also refers to the \“doglegs\”-gradual shifts-in the thinking of the three main human characters. \“Doglegs\” reflects all of these changes through a shifting narrative as each character takes their \“turn.\”

Take a stroll with Matt and Emily through Doglegs Park, where a colorful cast of characters runs off in all directions, howling, clawing, drooling-and these are the humans! When you come out on the other side, you may never again look at dogs-or people-in quite the same way.