Forever Ripley

Told from the perspective of an old German Shepherd Dog, this deeply personal middle-grade story by award-winning novelist McCall Hoyle affirms the powerful and enduring relationship between dogs and humans.

Ripley has been trained to protect ever since she was a pup. As a German Shepherd Dog, she helped protect the wildlife refuge with Max, the best man Ripley has ever known. But that was before the accident. Before the pain of Max leaving. And before his last words: “Take care of the girls, Ripley.”

Ripley adores her girls, especially Charlie, more than anything, even peanut butter. But Ripley has been feeling the aches and pains that come with old age, and she knows her seasons are ending. Dogs do not have forever.

When the veterinarian confirms Ripley’s days are numbered, Charlie creates a bucket list to celebrate Ripley’s life, with ice cream in Nags Head, fried chicken from the Golden Skillet, and sandpiper chasing at the beach. In carrying out the bucket list, Ripley learns that though she can’t continue to protect her flock, she can love them into independence so Charlie can take care of herself, even in the face of bullies and trespassers who are threatening the wildlife refuge. And if Ripley can keep her promise, she just might be ready to leave her second great love, Charlie, to return to her first, Max.

Forever Ripley teaches important lessons about love, grief, growing into independence, and the peace that comes from having lived a flawed but loved-filled life.