"interesting twist to a romance--a canine matchmaker"

Here's an interesting twist to a romance — a person reincarnated as a dog, and given the job of matchmaker among humans. The main character in this book is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, my favorite breed! While it may not be the great American novel or even the best romance ever written, this book is so much fun because part of each chapter is told in the first person by the Corgi.

Lydia is recently deceased. Unfortunately, her death occurred while she was carrying on a hot affair with the husband of her best friend Amy Cameron. David, the straying husband, died too. Amy is a nice woman who has two champion Corgis and is active in Corgi Rescue (finding new homes for abandoned dogs). But the betrayal by her friend and her husband has soured her on men. So...the beings in charge of the Afterlife decide that Lydia, having caused Amy so much grief, must redeem herself by returning to earth and finding Amy a new husband. But they don't make this easy for Lydia — the formerly gorgeous and sexy human Lydia is reincarnated as an overweight, scarred, flea-infested, stray Corgi. Lydia, who was not a dog lover, describes a Corgi as "a bossy little dog that looks like a stumpy- tailed fox on steroids, one that's been cut off at the knees to boot." Oh sure, just what she'd want to come back as. She never did understand what her old friend Amy saw in these animals.

Now in her new doggy form, Lydia is rescued by Amy from the animal shelter (after the indignity of spaying and flea baths), named Miss Piggy, and taken to live with Amy's other Corgis. Lydia/Piggy retains her human mind but has dog instincts and senses. She is full of schizophrenic comments on things like dog food, butt sniffing, having to use the yard as a bathroom, and what Scotsmen wear under their kilts (when you're only eleven inches high you can find this out). Also (being spayed now), Lydia/Piggy decides that once you have no interest in romance or sex, the male of the species can be a pain in the neck to have around—they are only interested in one thing from females! Lydia/Piggy's sections of the story provide a very funny Corgi-eye view with sarcastic human commentary. There is a mystery involving some photos Amy took, and two very diverse guys are suddenly competing for Amy's interest. Of course, by the end of the story, Amy finds true love and Lydia finds an unexpected redemption.

Reviewed by Raelene Gorlinsky
Posted September 1, 2001

Summary

It takes a heavenly dog to make a hell of a match! Right before her untimely death, Lydia Keane made one terrible mistake--she had an affair with her best friend Amy's husband. Barred from the afterlife until she makes amends, Lydia has been ordered back to Earth for one final mission: to find Amy a new husband. But there is just one small catch: Lydia must rely on her smarts rather than her centerfold body--because she has been reincarnated as a mangy stray dog! Although Lydia was always an expert matchmaker, she never had to play Cupid while trapped in the body of a furry mutt. But if she wants a chance to rest in peace, Lydia must figure out a way to find Amy the most handsome bachelor in town--and pray that woman's best friend can spot true love.