A Thousand Sunny Days

Jason Phinney seemingly has it all: a great job, a caring wife, and a pair of rambunctious canines he loves like children. Yet, in the wake of a tragic loss, Jason's world spirals out of control and he's forced to reevaluate the foundations of his life. As his marriage slowly unravels, the only thing that remains constant is the love of the many shelter dogs who find refuge in his home. In his powerful memoir, A Thousand Sunny Days, Jason Phinney shares an unforgettable story of love, loss, and second chances, in which these animals, carelessly discarded by society and unaccustomed to human kindness, help heal his broken life. A Thousand Sunny Days is not a typical tale of love gone wrong. Instead, the emotional and spiritual trials of a man are continuously contrasted with the unconditional love his shelter dogs provide, as well as the connections--and disconnections--that occur between the dogs within their respective packs. As individual dogs make heartbreaking exits and dramatic entrances into the group, their personalities adapt accordingly. Through Phinney's vivid and insightful prose, nearly a dozen different dogs are imbued with rich personalities that make them characters in their own right. With its raw portrayal of a fractured marriage juxtaposed by the healing power of unconditional love, A Thousand Sunny Days is a brutally honest account of one man's journey from pain to forgiveness. It examines the role he played in the withering of his marriage, as well as the ways in which a once lonely life was completely transformed by the presence of a loveable pack of shelter dogs. Readers will find Phinney's unconventional journey to find faith both in himself and in something larger a fascinating take on a familiar path, sprinkled with ironic musings and a sharp eye for nuance. The book's unique focus will touch the hearts of animal lovers as his canine companions prove healing sometimes comes from the most unexpected places.