What would you do if you found a stray dog on the street? Not just any dog, mind you--an adorable and lovable West Highland Terrier. This is exactly the situation that eleven-year-old Austin finds himself in. Unsure what to do, he takes the dog (Harvey) along with him to his volunteer job at the local retirement home, where his grandfather works. Pretty soon, this becomes a regular routine, and Harvey inevitably becomes an unofficial therapy dog to the residents, especially to ninety-six-year-old Mr. Pickering.

Cranky Mr. Pickering is not Austin’s favorite resident, but something changes in the old man when Harvey is around. He opens up and shares his life story with Austin. He tells about his challenging childhood during the Dust Bowl and recalls touching memories of the dog he had when he was just a young boy.

Harvey has helped to change the way that Austin and Mr. Pickering relate. This dog has changed Austin’s life, but the lingering question remains--where did he come from and will he eventually have to go back? (New Hampshire Great Stone Face Book Award nominee, 2022)