MY THREE DOGS

W. Bruce Cameron is the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of A Dog’s Purpose, A Dog’s Way Home, and A Dog’s Journey (all now major motion pictures), A Dog’s Courage, A Dog’s Promise, the Puppy Tales for young readers (starting with Ellie’s Story and Bailey’s Story), the Dogs with a Purpose series (including Ripley: Fire Station Five), A Dog’s Perfect Christmas, The Midnight Plan of the Repo Man, and others. He lives in California.

“What I love about Bruce’s books is that EVERYTHING matters, and under it, is a river of love.” —Adriana Trigiani

“Another winning tale of an extraordinary human-canine companionship full of tug-at-the-heartstrings adventure.” —Booklist on A Dog’s Way Home

“Marley & Me combined with Tuesdays with Morrie.” —Kirkus Reviews on A Dog’s Purpose

“Funny, heartwarming, and touching.” —Library Journal, starred review on A Dog’s Purpose

1. Riggs, Luna, and Archie have very different personalities. How do those differences become an asset, helping them work together effectively as a pack? If they were human (without such a strong pack instinct) would they be able to collaborate so well?

2. Face’s brother and Liam’s brother both want to explore the world and live overseas. Are there other parallels between these sibling stories? What explains the differences between Liam and Brad, even though they were equally wounded by a childhood with drug-addicted parents?

3. If you were in Sabrina’s shoes, how would you have reacted to the arrival of Archie and the news of Liam’s real estate transaction? Why was it hard for him to talk to her about big decisions before taking action? What made him hesitate in proposing to her?

4. In chapter 7, Liam tells Face that his own crew is going to take over the construction job, which makes Face furious. What was your reaction to that scene? Have you ever rejected someone based on how they treat their pets?

5. Is Brad simply protective of Liam, or are there other factors influencing his rejection of Sabrina? Who has better instincts in the novel: the humans or the dogs?

6. What will Mommy and her kids remember about Riggs? Why was Daddy so impossible to reach emotionally? What traits—physical and mental—helped Riggs survive their family and the aftermath of his escape?

7. Luna seems delicate, but her loyalty is fierce, and she defends herself against Badger, retaining her sweetness throughout it all. What keeps her from becoming hostile like Badger? Why was Winnie able to read the situation more accurately than Nolly?

8. In chapter 31, as Darren takes Archie for a walk and explains the repercussions of the pending divorce, Archie believes that his purpose is to be near people “but not really with them” (page 197). What does this scene underscore about the tragedy of adopting a dog solely to serve the whims of a human? What emptiness in Theo’s life could have been filled if he had been willing to consider Archie’s needs? In the end, what do Archie, Riggs, and Luna all discover about their true purpose?

9. Does Marcy have any redeeming qualities that make up for her having five cats?

10. When we first meet Archie, he is chained in the dirt behind an unfinished house. What does that house eventually come to represent? What forms of healing, renovation, and completion do Liam and Sabrina undergo?

11. In My Three Dogs, what does it mean to find your way home? Describe the best homecoming you’ve ever experienced.

12. In the epilogue, as you read about the fates and histories of the dogs who were temporarily named for beer brands, whose story resonated with you the most? If you could have adopted only one of them, which one would you have chosen?

13. In his acknowledgements, W. Bruce Cameron mentions that he’s written more than 30 books. What would the world be like if we saw life through the wise, hopeful, often swooning eyes of Cameron’s canine characters? Discuss some of the other memorable dogs that have appeared in previous Cameron books that you’ve enjoyed.

Discussion questions written by Amy Root Clements.