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

The doctor returned a moment later and handed him several square boxes of meds that would keep Dog’s heart clear of worms—pending a clean bill of health from the bloodwork—but also keep fleas and ticks off of Dog as well. This would be an important part of the process, as keeping fleas and ticks off of Dog meant keeping fleas and ticks off of him. The thought of little parasites burrowing into his furniture and snacking off of his skin was horrifying. “One last thing,” Thom said. “Did you notice anything weird about his throat?”


“He can’t bark. Or he doesn’t bark. I’m not sure which.”


She pulled out and snapped on the light she’d been using to peer into Dog’s nooks and crannies. “Could he bark before?”


Thom shook his head. “Not as long as I’ve known him.”


Chapter 24