Roam is a book about Nelson - a sweet pup of mixed descent: part beagle, part poodle. Nelson's existence came about by accident when a breeder of poodles and beagles accidentally breeds a mixed bag of pups. So really, Nelson, in a pure-bred world should never have been. Nelson, however, proves to be something special and at the ripe old puppy age of nearly 3 months, he is adopted by Katey and Don. Katey proves to be Nelson's "Great Love" and his life and happiness revolves around her. One day, however, Don accidentally leaves the gate open and Nelson, overwhelmed by the smells that surround him and beg to be investigated, is compelled to seek out their true existence. What follows is Nelson's 8-year journey to return to his Great Love. It is filled with love, discovery, fear, loss and hope.
I have to say that there were times when I didn't want to pick this book up to keep reading because I was so afraid of bad things happening. But, I shouldn't have questioned Aunt Kathleen's recommendation and I should have known that she wouldn't steer me wrong. Everything scary in this book only leads to something good. And everything that Nelson is forced to endure only gets him closer to his goal and happiness. It was such a heart-warming book with such great insight as to what dogs must think. In fact, as I read this book I kept looking at my pups and wondered if I was each of their Great Loves. I think for sure I'm Zeke's because I've had him since a pup and he's known no one else but I wonder about Bubba and Sami. I don't know for sure, since they were both rescued on the streets, that there wasn't someone before me that they still long for. I can't imagine that they aren't happy with me and would rather be with someone else especially the way they greet me when I come home (even if I've just been outside working on the lawn). But I guess the point of Roam is that a dog may have just one Great Love but they can still love many and be happy with those other people because they have so much love to give.
Read this book and don't be afraid of a bad ending...it isn't there...BUT you will cry...for joy.
