Dog Friendly

by Victoria Schade

Overview

“Perfect to read on the beach.” –The Boston Globe

A burned-out veterinarian takes a much-needed beach vacation, where a charming surfer makes waves in her love life, and a unique foster pup renews her passion for her work.
 
Exhausted veterinarian Morgan Pearce is feeling overworked and under-thanked, so when two favorite clients ask her to watch their special needs senior dog in their Nantucket home, she jumps at the chance for a summer break. She hopes her time on the island will be a reset from the stress of her everyday life, but her chill vacation vibe takes a hit when she gets roped into fostering a challenging, anxious dog and helping plan the local rescue group’s glittery annual fundraiser.
 
Her trip starts to feel more like a vacation when Morgan begins falling for Nathan Keating, an irresistible entrepreneur who thinks every problem can be solved on a surfboard. Just as the summer is shaping up to be the magical refresh she needs, thanks to a fling that feels like the beginning of something real and Hudson, the foster dog who reminds her how much she loves her job, a visit from her estranged brother and the discovery of who Nathan really is changes everything. Morgan finds herself at a crossroads, trying to determine if mistakes from the past must define the future, or if she should forgive, forget, and grab hold of a chance to finally rescue herself.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593437407
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	06/28/2022
Sold by:	Penguin Group
Format:	eBook
Pages:	352
Sales rank:	279,113
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Victoria Schade is a dog trainer and speaker. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, her dogs Millie and Olive, and the occasional foster pup.

Read an Excerpt

Chapter Three

“I’m just worried about her,” Eugene Pak said, shooting a look at his partner, Karl Reynolds, while he cradled their quivering dog in his lap. “I hate to see Bernadette uncomfortable. You know how happy she usually is when you walk in the room. This isn’t normal.”

The Pak-Reynolds family always added some much-needed sunshine to her schedule, even when they were dealing with senior dog challenges. They were always quick to set up an appointment when something felt off with Bernadette, their salt-and-pepper miniature Schnauzer, and they followed Morgan’s advice to the letter. A consult with them was usually enough to lift her spirits for the rest of the day.

Bernadette shifted in Karl’s lap, kicking her back legs against his stomach and groaning every so often. She was one of the smallest Schnauzers Morgan had ever met, weighing in at a whopping twelve pounds. The Pak-Reynoldses kept her silver beard precisely trimmed and her coat cut tight and neat against her body, leaving her leg fur a bit longer so it looked like she was wearing little pants.

“You’re right, she’s not herself. But you got her in quickly, so try not to stress out,” Morgan replied, meeting Eugene’s gaze with soft eyes for a moment before scrolling through her tablet. “We’ll have her feeling better in no time.”

“It’s my fault,” Karl said with a heavy exhale, running his hand through his coppery hair and making it stand up. He always wore head-to-toe black as if to try to tone down his ginger-ness, but the red swooping hair, full ruddy cheeks, and salt-and-paprika goatee defined the man. “I threw away the uncooked bacon and didn’t snap the lid shut on the trash can. She got into it and now . . .” He broke off with a frown and gestured to her.

“Accidents happen,” Morgan answered, dropping into her soothing voice. “Don’t beat yourself up.”

The low, reassuring tone was almost unconscious for her. Not that she didn’t feel the appropriate emotion behind it. The fact was, she felt too much of what went on in the exam rooms . . . despair, hopelessness, fear, worry. Didn’t matter if it was the person or the animal going through it, by the end of the day she wore their combined darkness like a heavy wool jacket. And since the news about Sophia the Friday before, it felt like she couldn’t take it off. The accompanying brain fog made it almost impossible to be present for her patients and clients.

“Dr. Pearce, did you hear me? Are you okay?”

She blinked at Eugene. “I’m sorry, what was that?”

“I asked if we need to adjust the time we do her next insulin injection.” He swept his eyes up and down Morgan’s body, pausing on her clogs, and frowned. “What’s going on? Something’s not right with you today.”

It didn’t surprise Morgan that he was calling her out, but she wasn’t sure if it was for her melancholy vibe or her rumpled clothing. Eugene Pak was the very definition of dapper, a sweater-vest, bow-tie, spit-shined-shoes kind of man with his own swoop of inky hair to complement Karl’s.

The Pak-Reynoldses had been bringing their medically fragile senior to see her since she’d started at the practice four years prior, and the line between clients and friends had quickly blurred. Even though they were home decorating celebrities with a social media empire, a bestselling book, and an upcoming design partnership with Target, they passed through the clinic like regular citizens. They considered Morgan a miracle worker since she’d diagnosed grumpy Bernadette’s diabetes and taught them how to do her three-times-a-day insulin injections in a way that the old lady could tolerate.

“No, I’m fine,” she lied. “Just a little distracted today. Sorry.”

“Hm, it’s more than that,” he continued, scanning her face. “Don’t hate me for saying this, but you look tired, like you just rolled out of bed.”

“Ouch, Eugene,” she said as she patted the messy bun on top of her head. He never sugarcoated anything, and she usually loved him for it, but this time he was hitting a little too close to home.
“Thanks for the fashion critique, but there’s not enough time to talk about my mess. Let’s get Bernadette feeling better, okay?”

He nodded, but Morgan got the sense that he wasn’t done with her.

Ten minutes later, she was back in the exam room after running some bloodwork to confirm her pancreatitis diagnosis and coming up with a treatment plan for them.

“Bernadette’s going to get some relief pretty quickly, so there’s no need to worry,” she said as she finished outlining everything. “Any questions for me?”

Eugene and Karl exchanged a look.

“Actually, yes,” Karl said, shifting Bernadette in his lap. “But it’s a strange request. Can we steal two more minutes with you?”

Morgan silenced the stopwatch ticking in her head and settled back against the counter. “Of course. What’s up?”

“We need a little help this summer,” Karl said.

“Don’t lie, we need a lot of help,” Eugene interjected. “And we figured you could point us in the right direction.”

Karl adjusted Bernadette gently. “Target launches this summer, in late June, and we’re going to be doing appearances in stores all over the country for it. But you know that to us, summer always means Nantucket.”

They’d invited her to visit them in their second home on Nantucket dozens of times over the years, but getting away for more than an overnight felt impossible.

“As much as we want to bring Bernie with us on tour, we know it’s not a good idea. Our old lady needs stability, and someone who can handle her, uh, quirks.” Karl gestured around Bernadette’s body as if it had a force field. “My mom was going to do it, but she broke her foot so she’s out of commission for a few months. That’s why we’re hoping you can recommend someone to stay with Bernie in Nantucket during the launch. We’ll be in and out, but we want someone to set up camp at the house to keep things easy for her. Now, it has to be someone with training, not just any teenage dummy who thinks they know dogs.”

Eugene tsked at Karl.

“Honestly? We would love for you to do it, but we know that’s not possible.” Karl paused and stared at Morgan. “It’s not . . . possible . . . is it?”

Is it?

For two glorious seconds Morgan envisioned spending the summer stretched out by the Pak-Reynoldses’ pool with Bernadette at her side and a cold beer and novel on a table next to her. The vision fizzled when a dog started howling just outside the exam room.

“I wish. But it’s just not possible. Let me think about if I know of any vet techs who might be interested.”

Eugene frowned. “We were hoping that by some miracle you’d be able to sneak away. No one can handle her the way you do, not even your best tech on staff here! Everyone gets freaked out by her . . . communication style.”

“Well, you gotta admit, old Bernie’s got some scary pipes,” Morgan said, nodding at the lovable curmudgeon on his lap.

“But she’s all bluster, she’s a total sweetheart outside of the office,” Karl said. “You know that. She doesn’t even notice her injections now.”

“And that’s why I’m sure we’ll be able to find someone who can handle her,” Morgan teased gently.

“We wish it could be you,” he said. “Some time away would do you good, young lady.”

“Karl, don’t pester her.” Eugene turned back to Morgan. “Please give it some thought and let us know if you come up with someone you think is worthy. It’s short notice, but hopefully a beautiful, mostly empty home on Nantucket plus a nice little paycheck will be enough to find the right fit.”

“Yes, would you like to see photos of the pool house? The dog sitter will have complete privacy,” Karl said, reaching for his phone. “It’s charming. Here, look.”

Morgan suspected that “charming” was an understatement. A tiny part of her wanted to see it but there was no need to torture herself with the missed opportunity.

“Stop trying to butter her up,” Eugene scolded, and pushed Karl’s phone away. “She’s a busy woman, she doesn’t have time to hang out in paradise with the best dog in the world.” He paused. “Although honestly? You look like you could use a vacation.”

Morgan laughed. “Are you guys negging me? I get it, I look tired, and I need a break. It’s just not possible for me right now, though. I’ll let you know if I think of anyone. Keep me posted on our girl, okay?”

“Always,” Karl answered as he stood up and adjusted Bernadette in his arms. “Thanks for taking such good care of her, you’re amazing and we worship you.”

Dopamine hit engaged. Thank you, gentlemen.

Morgan escaped through the door that led to the back room, unable to ignore her bladder before her next appointment. She nearly collided with her favorite vet tech, Rebecca, as she speed-walked to the bathroom.

“Hey, DeWitt is looking for you.”

“Okay, I just need to—” Morgan pointed down the hall and grimaced. “Do you know what it’s about?”

“Nope, but he didn’t look happy,” she replied, mimicking the man’s perma-frown.

The numbers conversation.

But she was prepared. A few extra hours on her laptop the night before meant that she was ready for battle.

Editorial Reviews

With huge heart, great tenderness, and plenty of unforgettable moments between dogs and their humans, Victoria Schade reminds readers that sometimes it takes getting away to find out where you are truly meant to be. Dog Friendly is a page-turning, feel-good story that—like a wet nose and a wagging tail—will work its way straight into readers’ hearts. Add this literary gem to your TBR immediately!”
—Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Veil

"Pet lovers, eat your heart out. The latest novel from dog trainer and author Victoria Schade features an overworked veterinarian, Morgan Pearce, who escapes to Nantucket to recharge while taking care of her client’s special needs dog. Unexpected romance is in store, however, when she meets a charismatic surfer."
—The Boston Globe

"I was happily caught up in Dog Friendly from page one. The dogs are adorable, of course, but there are very real and weighty issues for Morgan and Nathan to face and overcome. Readers are there, with them, watching the sunset from the sandy dunes, holding our breath as Hudson struggles with anxiety, and falling in love—the kind that lasts. Victoria Schade delivers an easy-breezy read, balancing emotional punches with warm fuzzies—for the humans and their canine compatriots."
—Sasha Summers, USA Today bestselling author of The Sweetest Thing

"You don't have to be a dog person to love this honest yet hopeful book, but the animal lover in me delighted in Victoria Schade's latest, with my favorite pups, swoon-worthy love interest, and the most memorable happily-ever-after to date. Dog Friendly will give you all the feels."
—Jenni L. Walsh, author of Becoming Bonnie and The Call of the Wrens

“This latest doggie tale from Schade is a great read, with descriptive style, beautiful flow, captivating characters, and an HEA.”
—Booklist

"This book was a page-turner. The characters were so real and their problems so relatable, I was cheering for them through every twist and turn. Timely topics like career burnout and the long-lasting effects of childhood hurts were balanced by dogs and sun and surf. I didn't want this charming summer in Nantucket to end, but this is one of those books that leaves you with a sense of joy and hope long after you've read the last page."
—Caro Carson, author of The Colonels' Texas Promise

“Victoria Schade has done it again. Another feel good, dog friendly, tail-waggingly fantastic story! Victoria’s books will always have a home on my keeper shelf!”
—Patience Griffin, award-winning author of the Kilts & Quilts ® series and the Sweet Home, Alaska series

“If you love pets and believe in rescues, fostering and adopting Dog Friendly should be at the top of your must-read list. Dog Friendly is that well-written and compelling.”
—Fresh Fiction

Praise for Lost, Found, and Forever

“A perfect romance—charming characters, amazing chemistry, and a rescue dog that steals your heart!”
—Jennifer Probst, New York Times bestselling author of Our Italian Summer

"Like the proverbial dog with a bone, I devoured this book in almost one go. It's the adorable tale of a movie star dog at the heart of a rescue doggie custody battle...which is actually a love match rescue. Pure delight!"
—Julia London, New York Times bestselling author of You Lucky Dog

“The most charming love triangle of the season. It’s a good thing one of them has dog sense. I especially loved the inside peek at movie-making with the cutest canine ever. Spencer will steal your heart.”
—Shelley Noble, New York Times bestselling author of Imagine Summer

"Victoria Schade continues to dazzle with Lost, Found, and Forever. Fetch this adorable book for lighthearted romance and one of the best doggos, Spencer."
—Tif Marcelo, USA Today Bestselling Author of The Key to Happily Ever After

“For everyone who has loved a dog—or a human—this warm and fetching story is an absolute delight. With a charming and intimate small-town setting alongside Hollywood glamour, a winning romance, and one precocious pup, all wrapped up in a bighearted tale of a woman’s journey toward passion and purpose, Lost, Found, and Forever is a real treat.”
—Phoebe Fox, author of A Little Bit of Grace

Praise for Who Rescued Who

"Chock full of heart and humor, anyone who has ever been redeemed by the love of a dog will treasure this uplifting, big-hearted novel."
—Lori Nelson Spielman, New York Times bestselling author of The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany

"Who Rescued Who is the perfect feel-good book with charismatic characters, swoony romance, family secrets, and snuggly puppies. Grab your furry friend and start reading now."
—Amy E. Reichert, author of The Kindred Spirits Supper Club

A funny, emotional story about finding yourself, finding family, and eventually, finding love. Who Rescued Who is one of my top reads for this year—a funny, emotional, swoon-worthy romance! This one had ALL the feels!"
—Jennifer Probst, New York Times bestselling author of Our Italian Summer

"Pet lovers will rejoice over this too-cute 'tail' about Elizabeth Barnes, who travels to her late father's family homestead in the English countryside."
—Woman's World

"A delightful romp through the English countryside...resplendent with sheep, dogs, cats, and lovely people. Beyond her irresistible story, Schade writes with beautiful descriptions. Readers will laugh, cry, and love this charmer."
—Booklist (starred review)

"You don't have to be a dog person to love this heartfelt book, but you will be by the time you finish it. Victoria Schade has written a timely, heartwarming story for everyone who longs to break free of the rose-colored filter of our Instagram age and rediscover the messy perfection of life, love, and the people—and pets—who shape us."
—Lyssa Kay Adams, author of The Bromance Book Club

"I loved it so, so much. It made me cry, but mostly it made me want to throw away my phone, buy some sheep and move to the English countryside to rescue dogs and live in a rom-com."
—Teri Wilson, Author of The Accidental Beauty Queen

"A charming, fish-out-of-water story about finding your heart and home in the place you least expect. After reading this book, I wanted to adopt a puppy and relocate to rural England. I absolutely adored it."
—Sarah Smith, Author of Faker

"As satisfying as a basket of fresh scones and as heartwarming as puppy kisses, I didn't want this book to end."
—Lindsay Emory, author of The Royal Runaway

"Once again, Schade comes at us with her trademark smarts and humor (or should I say, humour?) to deliver a story with everything to love...[T]he author uses her long career as a professional trainer to help us all understand our pets, and our bonds with them, as no one else can. A winner."
—Kristine Gasbarre, #1 New York Times bestselling author of How to Love an American Man: A True Story

"The engrossing, evocative prose whisked me away to an utterly charming British chocolate box village, where I would have loved to stay. Who Rescued Who is certainly a special treat for dog lovers, but also for anyone who enjoys a multi-layered story about finally finding a family in every sense."
—Evie Dunmore, Author of Bringing Down the Duke

“Victoria Schade knows how to tell a sweet story of finding love in the most unexpected places and discovering your dreams. You don't have to be a dog lover to enjoy…Well done, Victoria Schade. Who Rescued Who hit it out of the park!”
—Fresh Fiction

Praise for Life on the Leash

"Charming and heartfelt, Life on the Leash will delight readers. The perfect book for dog lovers!"
—Chanel Cleeton, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Train to Key West

"Even cat lovers will get wrapped up in this delightful story of girl, girl's best friend, girl's best girlfriends and a couple of guys. Cora's canines in training will steal your heart. I couldn't wait to see what happened next!"
—Shelley Noble, New York Times bestselling author of Lighthouse Beach

"Life on the Leash is the novel you've been waiting for all year—a strong, funny, big-hearted heroine to cheer for in life and in love, plenty of 'I've-been-there' dating moments, and adorable, endearing, sometimes mischievous dogs to love on every page."
—Nicolle Wallace, dog lover, author and MSNBC host

"A bighearted and witty debut from a writer with remarkable insight into the minds of dogs and those who love them. The winsome cast of characters will have you hooked on Life on the Leash from the first page."
—Meg Donohue, USA Today bestselling author of Dog Crazy

From the Publisher