Love That Dog is a children's novel by Sharon Creech, published in 2001. The book is presented in a free-verse journal format and tells the story of a young boy named Jack struggling to come to terms with the death of his beloved dog, Sky. Throughout the book, Jack develops a love for poetry and learns to express his emotions through writing.
The story begins with Jack's initial reluctance to write poetry, but his teacher, Miss Stretchberry, encourages him to try. Jack initially resists the idea, but as he starts to read and write poetry, he finds that it helps him deal with his grief and express his feelings about Sky.
As the book progresses, Jack's writing becomes more sophisticated, and he begins to appreciate different forms of poetry. He also starts to explore his thoughts and feelings more deeply and discovers that writing allows him to connect with his emotions in a way he never thought possible.
Throughout the book, Jack must also deal with other issues, like his strained relationship with his father and his struggles in school. However, his newfound love for poetry helps him to cope with these challenges and find joy in unexpected places.
In the final entry of Jack's journal, he writes a poem about his beloved dog, Sky, in which he expresses his deep love and appreciation for his companion. The poem is a fitting tribute to Sky and serves as a testament to the bond between humans and animals.
After completing the poem, Jack reflects on his experiences with poetry and writing, noting that he has come a long way since the beginning of the book. He expresses his gratitude to Miss Stretchberry for introducing him to poetry and encouraging him to find his voice.
The book ends with Jack musing about possibly continuing to write poetry. He acknowledges that writing has helped him to connect with his emotions and to find meaning in his experiences. Although it is unclear what the future holds for Jack, the book's open-ended conclusion suggests that he will continue to explore his creativity and express himself through writing.
