Dog Gone: A Lost Pet’s Extraordinary Journey and the Family Who Brought Him Home

The latest from Toutonghi (Evel Knievel Days) tells the story of Gonker, a golden retriever who goes missing on a hike with his owner, the author’s brother-in-law. Toutonghi explains that he felt the need to tell the story on behalf of his wife’s family, as he felt the deep connection Gonker had to the family, a defining connection that forged a link between his mother-in-law and brother-in-law. The search for Gonker brings the family closer emotionally, and when the story of Gonker’s disappearance makes it to the AP newswire, the outpouring of concern from total strangers helps restore the family’s faith in humankind as well. More a commentary on human nature, family dynamics, and past sorrows than a standard lost-dog story, the book uses Gonker’s disappearance to explore the gamut of human emotions that family relationships can exude. [em](June) [/em]