Thom Baron has been struggling with social anxiety his entire life. He's taken the medications, gone to the therapists, followed the programs, and concluded his best life is a solitary one. When he comes across a dog in obvious need at his local market, it rekindles the desire to have some company around. It may come with a dishevelled coat, a notched ear, and a refusal to respond to anything but its given name "Ugly," but it could still be a friend.<br><br>However, Thom's new fur buddy has no such need to keep to itself and immediately befriends the man Thom has secretly coveted since he moved in -- Justin, Thom's gorgeous, bright-eyed neighbour. No matter how Thom tries to evade the man, the dog keeps drawing them back into each other's lives, and it doesn't take Thom long to recognize it's simply pursuing the demands of Thom's own heart. With the dog giving him the courage to try, Thom reaches out to return the love being offered.<br><br>Until a stranger shows up insisting the dog is his and demanding its immediate return ... a loss Thom knows will take all of his efforts and newfound confidence with it.

But by the Grace of Dog

Justin stood, face starting to flame, fumbling for his phone, and noticed Thom staring. His hand fell to his arm and he rubbed it. He looked like he was about to say something, but Dog saw him before he got the chance.


Dog huffed his traditional non-bark that sounded to Thom very much like, “Friend!”and pounced in Justin’s direction. It was as if Thom had never even taken the time to wind the tie-out stake into the ground. It ripped up like it had been sitting in a bucket of pudding, spewing up a shower of dirt, and Dog was off and running.


Thom had time to think, thank God for fences, before realizing that wouldn’t stop Dog in the least. He shouted, “Dog, no!” at the same time Dog leapt up and over the fence, using his back paws to scrabble against the slats, giving himself the last few inches he needed to clear it. He landed with a flump and a waggling of tongue directly in Justin’s arms.


Chapter 11