by Tom McNeal
First published 1996
Phil faces his weekly nightmare: bath time on Sunday. Rather than submit to getting soaked, he bolts from home and disappears into the world beyond his familiar yard. Months pass as Phil navigates life as a stray dog. He scounges for food, dodges dangers, and learns to fend for himself in ways he never imagined. But freedom comes with a price Phil hadn't calculated. The longer he stays away, the more he realizes what he left behind. His warm bed, regular meals, and yes, even those dreaded Sunday baths begin to seem less terrible than his current struggles. Phil discovers that home means more than avoiding unpleasant routines. As weeks turn into months, he must decide whether the comfort of family outweighs his fear of a little water. The choice between independence and belonging weighs on him as he wanders, hungry and alone, remembering the safety he once took for granted.
Genres: fiction, family, animals, contemporary
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, slice-of-life
Library Binding · Albert Whitman & Co