TROUBLE WITH A CAPITAL L-U-K-E

A memoir about a woman, her dog, and her God.

Wisniewski (Nikki Jean, 2016, etc.) continues her series of faith-based remembrances that center on beloved dogs in her life. This tale recounts her adventures with a black Labrador retriever mix named Luke. She first saw the dog’s picture on a shelter website, right before Christmas 2005, when she was living with her grandmother and her beloved dog Nikki, and she felt an instant connection. She met the dog and brought him home with her—and she tried her best to navigate her grandmother’s initial resistance to the idea of adding a new canine to the household. That resistance was strong, at times, because Luke quickly proved to be difficult: “He did everything a dog should not do, was not good at listening, and certainly gave a different meaning to the words canine companion.” He was afraid of thunderstorms and firecrackers, but he was fearless and persistent when it came to slipping out of the house and running around the neighborhood or stealing food from tables, counters, and even the refrigerator. When the author embarked on an ambitious do-it-yourself program of home renovations, Luke was a constant source of disruption—chewing on glass, dry wall, oak trim, wood splinters, and part of a how-to book. These misadventures will be very familiar to any readers who’ve ever had an active dog or who have read classic canine-centered books, such as John Grogan’s 2005 memoir Marley & Me. Wisniewski’s tone throughout draws on an engaging mix of Christian spirituality and pet-owner optimism. For example, as she looks back on her time with Luke, she also reflects on the wisdom of their pairing: “God knows what we need, how to deliver what we need, and when to deliver what we need to us.” This belief comes to the fore when Luke helps the author through grief following Nikki’s death. Most dog lovers will find such moments to be relatable and cheering.

A heartwarming tale of how owning a rascally dog can teach deep lessons.