What would the world be without dogs?
I once heard that humans donât deserve dogs, and it couldnât be any truer.
They are magical beings from a mystical place, sent to rescue us and deliver a message that we humans often ignore. If you care for them, they will live and die for you every day, even knowing your darkest demons.
Join this rambunctious family and their beloved dog on a poignant journey of love, connection, loyalty, and resilience as they navigate the joys and sorrows that come with the short but meaningful lifespan of an extraordinary companion in this story that will live forever.
If you either enjoy or suffer through reading Hachiko or Marley & Me, then this book is for you.
What would the world be without dogs?
I once heard that humans donât deserve dogs, and it couldnât be any truer.
They are magical beings from a mystical place, sent to rescue us and deliver a message that we humans often ignore. If you care for them, they will live and die for you every day, even knowing your darkest demons.
Join this rambunctious family and their beloved dog on a poignant journey of love, connection, loyalty, and resilience as they navigate the joys and sorrows that come with the short but meaningful lifespan of an extraordinary companion in this story that will live forever.
If you either enjoy or suffer through reading Hachiko or Marley & Me, then this book is for you.
The ferry destined for Vancouver was about to leave Victoria. The breathtaking, scenic, two-hour trip on the west coast of Canada offered a good chance of spotting dolphins or orcas among any of the eight types of whales found in the Pacific.
 A small, curly-haired, copper-and-white dog sitting in a little stroller was looking at her owner. He was middle-aged, probably in his forties, lean, and not too tall a man. Just an average person. But to the dogâs eyes, he was the most magnificent and splendorous thing to watch. She was staring at him, from time to time looking at her surroundings and at the people who approached her owner to compliment her.
âThose are pure love eyes,â one person said, looking at how the dog was observing the man.
The man smiled back faintly.
It was very evident that he was sad. Anyone could see that he was holding back his tears. He was carrying a lot of things for a short tripâa suitcase, a cooler, a backpackâand pushing the stroller with his dog. They went to the end of the vessel and took the quietest seat at the far back. The stroller put the dog at the same height as the seats, allowing her to be closer to her companion, who constantly talked to her and lovingly stroked her fur. The man took a container from the cooler while the dog kept staring at him incessantly. Then he offered the container to the dog so she could have a good sniff, as if he was asking for her approval. She turned away from the container, but her companion took another one and again offered it to her. This time she didnât turn away and cautiously leaned closer while her companion hand-fed her tenderly.
Eventually, the arrival announcement sounded in the vessel, and the man started packing their belongings, getting ready to disembark.
âYou are a lovely couple; she is so in love with you,â said another person walking by the man as he and the dog were heading to the exit.
It was a winter morning and there was a bit of melting snow on the ground. As they left the ferry terminal, the man carefullyâand with the confidence that only experience providesâtook the dog out of the stroller with both hands, as if she were the most fragile piece of crystal, and gently placed her on the ground. They were both used to those precise movements, like they were in some way performing a coordinated task.
The dog slowly walked around to find a place to pee. She spotted a tiny mound of snow, walked toward it, and climbed up to happily rub herself over it. She loved the snow. The man adored watching her and bowed down to lovingly pet her while he wiped the tears from his cheek.
The almost two-hour trip passed timelessly for the couple enjoying each otherâs company. They walkedâŚthey sat downâŚthey talkedâŚthey criedâŚthey even laughedâŚand at some point, they were far away from this human land.
Hector Del Villar's Dogland is a touching story about the deep, emotional connection between a man and his beloved dog, Cocoa. This story touches on loyalty, grief, and a love that transcends death. Del Villar invites readers into his journey of love, loss, and the struggle to cope with the inevitable separation that comes with death.
The book begins with a reflective tone, as Del Villar recounts memories of adventures with Cocoa, his beloved dog. The story quickly reveals its emotional depth as it becomes clear that Cocoa is nearing the end of her life, and Del Villar must confront the reality of losing her. His writing captures the balance between cherishing their moments together and the overwhelming sorrow that comes with watching his closest companion fade away.
One of the book's strengths is Del Villar's ability to make the reader share his emotions as he describes his life and his family and how Cocoa is part of it all. While Dogland is, at its core, about Del Villar's relationship with Cocoa, it also shows pets' profound effect on families, from the memories we make with them by our sides to the schedule we adapt to suit their needs to the very places we choose to shop and eat at.
The writing is sincere and draws readers into Del Villar's family life on a personal level, where they can feel his love for Cocoa. His dedication to her, not just as a pet but as a life companion, makes the story resonate deeper, capturing what it means to care for another being. This relatability makes Dogland a must-read for all dog owners, who will find their experiences mirrored in its pages.
In Dogland, Hector Del Villar wrote a moving tribute to Cocoa, a dog who undeniably impacted his life. It's a story about love, loss, and the hope that, somewhere, the connection between a man and his dog can continue beyond this world. Fans of books like Marley and Me and A Dog's Purpose will find Dogland a deeply touching read.