What if your dog died and then came back as a ghost...that could talk? Would you welcome him back with open arms, or run away scared to death?This is the premise of IT'S JUST A DOG, a funny, heartwarming new novel about love, pet loss, and one man's dog who rises up yapping from the grave as a talking dog.Charlie Keefe is not just your typical dog lover -- he's a world famous dog painter, a.k.a. "The Picasso of Pooch Portraits". Unfortunately, Charlie's beloved muse, Pete, his lovable Jack Russell terrier, has just died. And he's totally devastated by the loss of his furry best friend.So, after months of grieving over his dearly departed soulmate and wondering if he ever made it to The Rainbow Bridge, Charlie reluctantly agrees to foster a new puppy -- a cute Cavalier King Charles named Brownie from the local animal shelter. Soon after, Charlie is surprised to find himself falling head over heels with this new puppy girl, his 'Rebound Dog', as he calls her -- as well as being romantically attracted to Janelle Jordan, the head hound at the dog rescue.But then complications arise when the ghost of his old dog, Pete, mysteriously reappears one night and comes back to haunt him and the new puppy -- setting off a bizarre chain of events that throw Charlie's life, career, and entire belief system into chaos If you love talking dog books or just books about dogs, such as Old Yeller, The Art of Racing in the Rain, Marley and Me, and A Dog's Purpose, then you are bound to find a place in your heart for IT'S JUST A DOG.It's Just A Dog is not just for dogs. It's for anyone who has ever lost a pet -- and learned to love again. If you're a feel-good fan of hopeful, uplifting dog stories, make It's Just A Dog your special treat *As an added bonus, a portion of the proceeds have been donated to Muttville Senior Dog Rescue (in San Francisco, California), a rescue which believes that every dog deserves a happy ending.Listen to what all the big dog celebrity canine critics are barking about after reading It's Just A Dog"If you read just one dead dog book this year, make this the one " - Old Yeller"IT'S JUST A DOG...is not just for dogs. It's for people, too " - Scooby Doo"If books could kill..." - Cujo"Do yourself a favor and take a bite out of this dog novel. Literally. I wish it had more pages. I ate it up in less than an hour " - McGruff the Crime Dog"Is this dog heaven? Nah, it's just fiction. But I'll take it." - Lassie"This sweet, catchy novel was like music to my ears " - Nipper the RCA Dog"Genuinely heartfelt and inspiring. An American original. Now where's that cold beer you promised me?" - Spuds McKenzie"Romancing the bone " - Benji"Awww shucks, I loved it. And I can't even read " - Pete the Pup from 'Our Gang' (a.k.a. The Little Rascals)"It's a gas " - Walter the Farting Dog"If I was granted three wishes, I'd wish that everybody take the time to read this enchanting new book...After Shakespeare and all the great Elizabethan poets, of course." - Wishbone"Whoever wrote this book is either bluffing or they ain't playing with a full deck. We're 'All In' on this dog book " - Dogs Playing Poker"I laughed, I cried, it was better than CATS. Okay, not that good." - Morris "The 9 Lives" Cat


Aside from being a dog widower, Russ Ryan has written screenplays with the Hollywood producers of American Pie, Final Destination, and Fireflies in the Garden. He was also a writer on a really bad teen comedy, National Lampoon’s Repli-kate, starring Eugene Levy. This is his first novel.In addition, he is the creator of Meansheets.com, a vintage movie poster blog that focuses on the greatest movie poster artists and illustrators from the 1940s-1980s to present day.