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Wolf, Moon, Dog
A witty, charming and heartfelt novel from acclaimed author Thomas Wharton about the many fabled lives of a dog named Wolf—hunter, guardian, guide, healer, friend.
In a hard and hungry season thousands of years ago, a young wolf is turfed out of his pack and left to fend for himself among strange, clever new animals who walk on two legs, hunt with detachable claws and teeth, eat meat but wastefully discard the bones and tend fire as part of their pack.
Eventually, one of these young animals carefully approaches Wolf. He explains that he’s a human, and that his kind and Wolf’s kind aren’t so they hunt the same prey, they're hunted by the same predators and they need help surviving. The boy proposes a Wolf will stand watch at night and alert the humans if danger approaches, and in exchange the humans will reward him with one meaty bone a day. Wolf agrees to the arrangement on a trial basis and over time grows closer to the boy, giving into an inexplicable urge to seek companionship with humans. And so, Wolf becomes dog.
In Wolf, Moon, Dog the award-winning author of The Book of Rain follows Wolf as he reincarnates through the ages, from Ancient Egypt to Alexandrian Greece to the Space Race and all the way to a dark future beset by climate change. Indeed, Wolf dies many times over, but each of his lives is uniquely meaningful, unleashing different aspects of humankind’s best friend. In Wharton's novel and fable, dogs are deeply empathetic creatures who experience a breadth of emotions and a desire for self-determination much the way we do, and who, also like us, struggle to reconcile conflicting instincts.
Dancing across genres and cultures, space and time, Wolf, Moon, Dog is as insightful about human nature as it is about canine behaviour, sure to delight dog lovers and show even readers immune to a dog's charm how much there is to learn from our canine counterparts.
In a hard and hungry season thousands of years ago, a young wolf is turfed out of his pack and left to fend for himself among strange, clever new animals who walk on two legs, hunt with detachable claws and teeth, eat meat but wastefully discard the bones and tend fire as part of their pack.
Eventually, one of these young animals carefully approaches Wolf. He explains that he’s a human, and that his kind and Wolf’s kind aren’t so they hunt the same prey, they're hunted by the same predators and they need help surviving. The boy proposes a Wolf will stand watch at night and alert the humans if danger approaches, and in exchange the humans will reward him with one meaty bone a day. Wolf agrees to the arrangement on a trial basis and over time grows closer to the boy, giving into an inexplicable urge to seek companionship with humans. And so, Wolf becomes dog.
In Wolf, Moon, Dog the award-winning author of The Book of Rain follows Wolf as he reincarnates through the ages, from Ancient Egypt to Alexandrian Greece to the Space Race and all the way to a dark future beset by climate change. Indeed, Wolf dies many times over, but each of his lives is uniquely meaningful, unleashing different aspects of humankind’s best friend. In Wharton's novel and fable, dogs are deeply empathetic creatures who experience a breadth of emotions and a desire for self-determination much the way we do, and who, also like us, struggle to reconcile conflicting instincts.
Dancing across genres and cultures, space and time, Wolf, Moon, Dog is as insightful about human nature as it is about canine behaviour, sure to delight dog lovers and show even readers immune to a dog's charm how much there is to learn from our canine counterparts.
271 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2025
About the author
Thomas Wharton
34 books170 followersI live near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and write for grown-ups and children. My newest novel, The Book of Rain, will be published by Random House Canada in 2023.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
March 20, 2026
🍁🇨🇦—Wolf, Moon, Dog: A novel is a touching but very funny book about the multiple lives of a dog.
It begins in prehistoric times, as a young male wolf is banished from his clan, and to avoid starvation, attempts to get close to his “human-like” neighbours. Following that, he is reincarnated many times, usually as a dog named “Wolf”. He (and sometimes She) will lead a variety of lives—some are fables you may recognise and a few stories might seem familiar, including the two Russian street dogs: there’s the story of Laika—the first creature sent into space to orbit the Earth (a true story!); and the story about Comet—sent into space to be the first dog to live on the Moon. (In reality, though, Comet was sent on a Laika-like mission that failed. Days later, she was found alive in the Siberian wilderness.)
While some of Wolf’s lives could make you sad, more will make you laugh. My favourite is the chapter entitled “Beast”—a story from the 15th century where a dog is taken to court for biting a stonemason. Very funny and so clever!
The 3-page chapter entitled “Curriculum Wolfae”😄 is enlightening! It simply lists the many “jobs” Wolf has filled. A sample:
If you’re a dog lover like me—or simply someone who likes animals—I think you’ll fall in love with the book! And you’ll surely come to believe the following statement is 100% true:
5 “If–I–Could–be–Half–the–Person–my–Dog–is–I’d–be–Twice–the–Human–I–Am.” stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
It begins in prehistoric times, as a young male wolf is banished from his clan, and to avoid starvation, attempts to get close to his “human-like” neighbours. Following that, he is reincarnated many times, usually as a dog named “Wolf”. He (and sometimes She) will lead a variety of lives—some are fables you may recognise and a few stories might seem familiar, including the two Russian street dogs: there’s the story of Laika—the first creature sent into space to orbit the Earth (a true story!); and the story about Comet—sent into space to be the first dog to live on the Moon. (In reality, though, Comet was sent on a Laika-like mission that failed. Days later, she was found alive in the Siberian wilderness.)
While some of Wolf’s lives could make you sad, more will make you laugh. My favourite is the chapter entitled “Beast”—a story from the 15th century where a dog is taken to court for biting a stonemason. Very funny and so clever!
The 3-page chapter entitled “Curriculum Wolfae”😄 is enlightening! It simply lists the many “jobs” Wolf has filled. A sample:
”Rival, camp watcher, companion, cave warmer, big-game hunter, herder and flock protector, … racer, comforter and lapwarmer, source of clothing, guide and follower, tax collector’s muscle, tracker, wolf hunter, fox harrier, sworn enemy of coyote and jackal, dogfighter, cowboy, … mine and bomb sniffer, search-and-rescue worker, contraband and contraband snooper, customs inspector, security detail and law enforcement, eugenics experiment, death row inmate, disputed asset in divorce case, … cancer detector, rescue(r), … friend, fur baby...”It’s quite a special book, in my opinion. In a very original way, it’ll show how wolves came to befriend humans and evolved into the wide variety of dog shapes and sizes we know and love today! It demonstrates how the unique relationship between man and dog came to be. And if you have any doubt that dogs are the absolute BEST friend to humans, this book will change your mind.
If you’re a dog lover like me—or simply someone who likes animals—I think you’ll fall in love with the book! And you’ll surely come to believe the following statement is 100% true:
5 “If–I–Could–be–Half–the–Person–my–Dog–is–I’d–be–Twice–the–Human–I–Am.” stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
November 12, 2025
I loved this. It was brimming with humour, whimsy, and sadness as it explored the relationship between dogs and humans during interesting moments in history. It was clever and at times painfully sad, made all the more so as it made me think of my darling Tinker who I lost this summer.
October 31, 2025
A treat! A slobbery, pleading puppy-eyed, give me more treat!! Various literary genres woven into a novel all about the evolution and special joy of dogs! Being a dog lover might help in enjoying this novel but if you appreciate creative novel structures, you should still enjoy.
This novel needs to be celebrated not only for its apt depiction of charismatic canine companionship, but also for Wharton’s breadth of literary talents! A framed compilation narrative told through individual stories of different genres and time periods. Allegory, fable, transcription of a 15th century court proceeding, a Jane Austen-esque romance, a poem that echoes the north of Robert Service, a pictorial presentation of paws tracking across pages, a series of relatable dog owner statements, a futuristic consideration of canine superiority… it is a smorgasbord of thought provoking, heartwarming and heartbreaking adventures.
Each tale captures either a quintessential lesson that Wolf (the protagonist) had to learn to become a good dog, or demonstrates features of human’s profound bond with dogs. I was left with an understanding that humanity would likely have taken a different path if not for our canine companions.
I can see how the variety packed into this novel could be jarring for some, so read it slow or devour it like a dog with bone, but I encourage you to check it out.
Oh. And the author is Canadian. He lives in the Edmonton area. ❤️
This novel needs to be celebrated not only for its apt depiction of charismatic canine companionship, but also for Wharton’s breadth of literary talents! A framed compilation narrative told through individual stories of different genres and time periods. Allegory, fable, transcription of a 15th century court proceeding, a Jane Austen-esque romance, a poem that echoes the north of Robert Service, a pictorial presentation of paws tracking across pages, a series of relatable dog owner statements, a futuristic consideration of canine superiority… it is a smorgasbord of thought provoking, heartwarming and heartbreaking adventures.
Each tale captures either a quintessential lesson that Wolf (the protagonist) had to learn to become a good dog, or demonstrates features of human’s profound bond with dogs. I was left with an understanding that humanity would likely have taken a different path if not for our canine companions.
I can see how the variety packed into this novel could be jarring for some, so read it slow or devour it like a dog with bone, but I encourage you to check it out.
Oh. And the author is Canadian. He lives in the Edmonton area. ❤️
November 23, 2025
Wolf, Moon, Dog by Thomas Wharton
Review: 4 stars
Thank you, Random House Canada, for the physical ARC and the author’s note.
I knew I had to give this one a read as soon as I heard about it!
Wolf, Moon, Dog is about Wolf, a wolf turned dog and his reincarnations. Each offers a refreshing and distinct perspective through different periods of time, as seen through the POV of Wolf. I also appreciate the author drawing inspiration from real-life events and a nod to Homer’s Odyssey - the journey home, the Cerberus mythology, the three-headed dog that guards the entrance to the underworld, and the dog being sent to space.
Throughout the many lives of a dog, we see their unrelenting loyalty and love for their humans, touching on the perseverance of the canine-human bond. Themes explored include kindness, the unimaginable cruelty humans are capable of, a nod to nature, compassion, and unwavering loyalty and love. The whimsy, coupled with the humour of the book, makes this an engaging read and lingers after I finish it.
It also makes me want to give my dog a big hug after reading this book, as it makes me appreciate his dogginess all the more. If you are a big dog lover, I would recommend this!
PS: the figures of the dog/wolf at the bottom of the page are so fun to flip through the book
Review: 4 stars
Thank you, Random House Canada, for the physical ARC and the author’s note.
I knew I had to give this one a read as soon as I heard about it!
Wolf, Moon, Dog is about Wolf, a wolf turned dog and his reincarnations. Each offers a refreshing and distinct perspective through different periods of time, as seen through the POV of Wolf. I also appreciate the author drawing inspiration from real-life events and a nod to Homer’s Odyssey - the journey home, the Cerberus mythology, the three-headed dog that guards the entrance to the underworld, and the dog being sent to space.
Throughout the many lives of a dog, we see their unrelenting loyalty and love for their humans, touching on the perseverance of the canine-human bond. Themes explored include kindness, the unimaginable cruelty humans are capable of, a nod to nature, compassion, and unwavering loyalty and love. The whimsy, coupled with the humour of the book, makes this an engaging read and lingers after I finish it.
It also makes me want to give my dog a big hug after reading this book, as it makes me appreciate his dogginess all the more. If you are a big dog lover, I would recommend this!
PS: the figures of the dog/wolf at the bottom of the page are so fun to flip through the book
February 1, 2026
i crode 😭
February 24, 2026
Wolf, Moon, Dog: A Novel by Thomas Wharton
Wolf, Moon, Dog is unique story about a dog named Wolf who is reincarnated across a period of time and even outer space. Each time Wolf is reborn he experiences a new life and a new perspective. We get to experience Wolf's life through his eyes and experience the hardship that comes with living with a human and living alone.
This book incorporates real-life dog stories and is reimagined as fiction. Like the dog that was sent to sent to space (Laika and Cosmo stories) and a hilarious short chapter where these human dogs interact with alien dogs on a "dog plant".
This is a touching, whimsical story about the reincarnation of a dog and the many lives dogs may have. It touches on the relationship with dog and human,
Also, the fun dog/wolf flip book at the bottom of the pages was so creative! I love it so much.
Thank you to Random House Canada and Thomas Wharton for the gifted ARC!
Wolf, Moon, Dog is unique story about a dog named Wolf who is reincarnated across a period of time and even outer space. Each time Wolf is reborn he experiences a new life and a new perspective. We get to experience Wolf's life through his eyes and experience the hardship that comes with living with a human and living alone.
This book incorporates real-life dog stories and is reimagined as fiction. Like the dog that was sent to sent to space (Laika and Cosmo stories) and a hilarious short chapter where these human dogs interact with alien dogs on a "dog plant".
This is a touching, whimsical story about the reincarnation of a dog and the many lives dogs may have. It touches on the relationship with dog and human,
Also, the fun dog/wolf flip book at the bottom of the pages was so creative! I love it so much.
Thank you to Random House Canada and Thomas Wharton for the gifted ARC!
October 6, 2025
4.5
I really enjoyed reading, "Wolf, Moon, Dog" by Thomas Wharton and thank you to @randomhouseca for sending me a copy. I love dogs. I always have. I was the 7 year old toting around a heavy volume of dog breeds so I could know every breed by sight. But as someone who also teaches immigrants I understand the odd cultural connection we seem to feel for our pets here in Canada and have to explain "pets are family" to some of my students. This book of connected shorts reimages and tells tales of dogs from history, including Laika, the Moscow street dog who went to orbit the Earth, a canine variation of "the Odyssey" or the imaginative take on how a wolf came to trust a human after all. These stories are from a very wide range, very well written and often clever as heck. I actually overall found the book very sad and very moving but I might be one of those people who cares more about the dog dying then the person in a movie. It is so creatively intense.
I really enjoyed reading, "Wolf, Moon, Dog" by Thomas Wharton and thank you to @randomhouseca for sending me a copy. I love dogs. I always have. I was the 7 year old toting around a heavy volume of dog breeds so I could know every breed by sight. But as someone who also teaches immigrants I understand the odd cultural connection we seem to feel for our pets here in Canada and have to explain "pets are family" to some of my students. This book of connected shorts reimages and tells tales of dogs from history, including Laika, the Moscow street dog who went to orbit the Earth, a canine variation of "the Odyssey" or the imaginative take on how a wolf came to trust a human after all. These stories are from a very wide range, very well written and often clever as heck. I actually overall found the book very sad and very moving but I might be one of those people who cares more about the dog dying then the person in a movie. It is so creatively intense.
October 12, 2025
Saw this at a bookstore in Charlottetown and the copy the copy they had was signed by the author (I later found out he was in town for the Cavendish literary festival) and I thought that was cool so I bought it as a little PEI souvenir and I’m so so glad I did!! Devoured this in a single day. Such a unique and creative concept!! I laughed, I cried, I gasped in awe and in shock. Definitely one of my favourite books of 2025. The writing so captivating.
February 8, 2026
i absolutely loved it. The story of one wolf reincarnating over the ages and his repeated lifetimes woth humans from the caveman ages as a wolf to a domesticated dog.
Heartwarming and sad at times, i found it really beautiful.
Heartwarming and sad at times, i found it really beautiful.
December 31, 2025
What a fun and creative collection of stories surrounding the evolution & history of Dog. I really enjoyed this one. 4.3/5
January 30, 2026
Really something to wag your tail about! Like Ingrid Hill’s Ursula Under, this masterpiece follows a soul’s journey through time and (literally, in Laika’s case) space. Heartfelt and plucky, Wharton W-A-L-Ks his reader through genres and motifs to tell stories that invite laughter, introspection, ire, and warmth. A new favorite! 10 stars.
September 28, 2025
Some books make you want to laugh, some make you cry. Wolf, Moon, Dog made me want to hug my dog until he had enough of me 🥲.
This beautifully written novel follows Wolf, a soul who is reincarnated as a dog again and again. With each life, we see the loyalty, innocence, and unconditional love dogs give so freely, while also witnessing the cruelty—or kindness—of the humans who take them in. In one life, Wolf is adored and treated like royalty (as he should be), and in another, he’s cast aside and mistreated (those people deserve to burn 😤). Through these shifting lives, we get a powerful exploration of humanity, compassion, and what it means to truly care for those who depend on us.
Reading this felt like my heart was being squeezed over and over. It wasn’t exactly a sad read, but it was certainly emotional. The story reminded me of the classic Black Beauty, except told through the eyes of a dog, which made the perspective both heartbreaking and deeply moving.
The writing is wonderful, and I especially enjoyed the way the fables were woven into the narrative. They added layers of depth and meaning that stuck with me long after I finished.
If you’re a dog lover, this is absolutely a book for you. It will make you appreciate your furry companions even more. It will have you giving them a few extra cuddles when you’re done.
This beautifully written novel follows Wolf, a soul who is reincarnated as a dog again and again. With each life, we see the loyalty, innocence, and unconditional love dogs give so freely, while also witnessing the cruelty—or kindness—of the humans who take them in. In one life, Wolf is adored and treated like royalty (as he should be), and in another, he’s cast aside and mistreated (those people deserve to burn 😤). Through these shifting lives, we get a powerful exploration of humanity, compassion, and what it means to truly care for those who depend on us.
Reading this felt like my heart was being squeezed over and over. It wasn’t exactly a sad read, but it was certainly emotional. The story reminded me of the classic Black Beauty, except told through the eyes of a dog, which made the perspective both heartbreaking and deeply moving.
The writing is wonderful, and I especially enjoyed the way the fables were woven into the narrative. They added layers of depth and meaning that stuck with me long after I finished.
If you’re a dog lover, this is absolutely a book for you. It will make you appreciate your furry companions even more. It will have you giving them a few extra cuddles when you’re done.
September 28, 2025
A cornucopia of all things Dog, I read this gem with a warm doggie on my lap, straight through on a rainy afternoon. And what a delight that was!
Crisscrossing time (past and future), and covering myths, historical happenings, re-interpreted poetry, philosophy, Buddhism, science fiction — and all of them featuring dogs — or I should say, one dog, let’s call him/her Wolf, and follow her through her ever-so intricate journey, captured here with such finesse you will swear you know this canine. And you do — as after all, she is absolutely the purest essence of Dog.
And so it is, a decadent feast for canine lovers everywhere, this collection of collated stories featuring our buddy Wolf is woven through with the authors themes of the loyalty, love, protection, vulnerability, primal authenticity and doggone it, just plain inborn sweetness of man’s (woman’s in this case) ultimate best friend.
A friend who, quite doggedly, needs us, as much as we need him.
Make no mistake, this collection (and our doggie narrator’s voice, captured so flawlessly) will cut right through to your heart, — making you smile, chortle, laugh and want to hug a furry beast, stat! But it will also, if you are at all like this reader, make you want to cry, — cry for doggy sacrifice, and suffering, and that unbreakable bond, as it can be, in the wrong hands, turned terrible.
I adored this book, every single one of these wonderful stories, and want to read both more Wolf and more of anything from this author.
A great big thank you to the publisher for an ARC of this novel. All thoughts presented are my own.
Crisscrossing time (past and future), and covering myths, historical happenings, re-interpreted poetry, philosophy, Buddhism, science fiction — and all of them featuring dogs — or I should say, one dog, let’s call him/her Wolf, and follow her through her ever-so intricate journey, captured here with such finesse you will swear you know this canine. And you do — as after all, she is absolutely the purest essence of Dog.
And so it is, a decadent feast for canine lovers everywhere, this collection of collated stories featuring our buddy Wolf is woven through with the authors themes of the loyalty, love, protection, vulnerability, primal authenticity and doggone it, just plain inborn sweetness of man’s (woman’s in this case) ultimate best friend.
A friend who, quite doggedly, needs us, as much as we need him.
Make no mistake, this collection (and our doggie narrator’s voice, captured so flawlessly) will cut right through to your heart, — making you smile, chortle, laugh and want to hug a furry beast, stat! But it will also, if you are at all like this reader, make you want to cry, — cry for doggy sacrifice, and suffering, and that unbreakable bond, as it can be, in the wrong hands, turned terrible.
I adored this book, every single one of these wonderful stories, and want to read both more Wolf and more of anything from this author.
A great big thank you to the publisher for an ARC of this novel. All thoughts presented are my own.
Did Not Finish
November 13, 2025DNF @ 53%
January 20, 2026
“As the wolf became the dog, we became us.”
Wolf and his pack were experiencing a scarcity of food, a decrease in the availability of prey animals. New animals had arrived. “They hunted with a tooth…a narrow piece of stone stuck on the end of a thin stick…This animal stood on its hind legs. It was shaped something like a wolf but made of shadows…The shadow wolf held out a paw. A strange kind of paw without fur, without claws….The new animal had done the unthinkable. They had made fire a member of their pack.” How fortuitous for Wolf who had been cast out of his pack, to happen upon these new animals…the humans.
A young boy sat on a rock near his camp and held out a bone in his hand. Said the boy, “we actually have a lot in common, your kind and mine. We both hunt, we both eat meat…you’ve got a terrific sense of smell and hearing…but we’ve got the food…the fire and the spears…We could team up…You’ve got the muscle and I’ve got the brains. They’d just agreed to cooperate to protect the food supply…a first step in interdependence, the human/canine connection. In this delightful fable, Wolf is reincarnated many times, living all different types of lives, in order to evolve into today’s good dog and faithful companion. This is his/her story.
Once Wolf lived in a temple to the gods. He sat on a special cushion and was fanned as if he was semi-divine. His life changed, on a dime, when the princess of the castle died. His new job was to accompany her, as her guide, to the afterlife.
A philosopher living in the streets as a beggar, gleaned wisdom from his “scruffy little mongrel, Wolf”. Although Wolf was lucky to have found a human to care for him, it was the philosopher who was given the gift. Wolf taught him to “accept…whatever life brings you…start by giving away what’s hanging around your neck and weighing you down…and you will walk as a free man among the chained.” Wolf, the free thinker, came to understand, “they were more than each could be alone.”
In late Medieval France, Wolf was being prosecuted in criminal court for leaping over a wall and killing seven laying hens belonging to the stonemason. A trial of “human versus ‘the beast’ " ensued. In ignorance and folly, Wolf’s demise was hastened by his lack of verbiage.
Outside the Malamute Saloon, Wolf and others share stories of their trials living in a land of temperatures of fifty below, while “our masters sat by a roaring fire…we shivered and growled and occasionally howled…” “One day a sourdough offered a bottle to my human in trade for me. He took the rotgut and handed me over…Since then I’ve pulled their wearisome loads o’er bog and ice and stone.”
Wolf even completed a stint as a toy breed. He awoke on his orthopedic, specially designed bed, exercised in the palace spa, and was then dressed in “a smart lavender bow-tie and a silk vest that helped to regulate his body temperature. He attended twice-weekly sessions with his canine psychologist to deal with anxiety and distaste for loud, sudden noises. In modern times, this reader wonders how many dogs have acted as therapists by listening, without judgement, to their human’s life challenges.
Today’s dog, a descendant of the wolf, performs many roles, including, but not limited to companion, big game hunter, sled-puller, racer, captain’s mate, clown and circus performer, mine and bomb sniffer, astronaut, and actor and movie star (think Lassie).
As a multiple dog owner, I display a bumper sticker on my vehicle: “Have you hugged your dog today?” Author Thomas Wharton has written an imaginative, heartfelt, humorous fable. Highly recommended.
Thank you Jessica Case@ Pegasus Books for the Print ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 24, 2025
What a delightful surprise this was! Wolf, Moon, Dog is beautifully written and far more emotional than I expected. The story follows Wolf, a canine who is reincarnated countless times across different eras and legends. Familiar myths and fables are woven throughout, giving the book a whimsical charm, while moments of heartbreak remind us just how cruel humans can sometimes be to their loyal companions.
As someone who adores stories told from a dog’s point of view, this book was pure joy for me. I read it with one dog curled up in my lap and another stretched across my feet, honestly, the perfect reading experience. I loved this book almost as much as I love my own furry reading partners.
The journey begins with Wolf as an actual wolf, exploring the earliest bonds between humans and dogs. I couldn’t help but smile at the lines spoken by women to their pets, things I’ve definitely said myself: “Who’s a gorgeous guy, huh? You are. That’s right. Yes, you are.” From there, the story moves through myth and history, Cerberus, the Egyptian spirit guides, Peritas, and beyond, interwoven with more grounded tales: sled dogs, a dog on trial, and a loyal protector watching over his young companion.
The chapter “Speak” broke my heart. It’s composed entirely of the ways humans talk to their dogs, sometimes tender, sometimes cruel, and it’s both powerful and devastating. But for every tear, there’s a moment of laughter or comfort; the balance of humor and sorrow is masterfully done.
My favorite chapter was “Remedy,” a beautiful reminder of how much dogs truly heal us, in every sense of the word.
Overall, Wolf, Moon, Dog is a must-read for any pet lover. It’s clever, tender, and brimming with love for the bond between humans and dogs. The twists on familiar stories are both imaginative and heartfelt. And yes, I’m absolutely one of those people who cares more about the dog getting hurt in a movie than any human character.
And make sure you take a look at the flip book at the bottom of the pages! Thank you to Random House Canada and Thomas Wharton for the ARC copy of this book.
As someone who adores stories told from a dog’s point of view, this book was pure joy for me. I read it with one dog curled up in my lap and another stretched across my feet, honestly, the perfect reading experience. I loved this book almost as much as I love my own furry reading partners.
The journey begins with Wolf as an actual wolf, exploring the earliest bonds between humans and dogs. I couldn’t help but smile at the lines spoken by women to their pets, things I’ve definitely said myself: “Who’s a gorgeous guy, huh? You are. That’s right. Yes, you are.” From there, the story moves through myth and history, Cerberus, the Egyptian spirit guides, Peritas, and beyond, interwoven with more grounded tales: sled dogs, a dog on trial, and a loyal protector watching over his young companion.
The chapter “Speak” broke my heart. It’s composed entirely of the ways humans talk to their dogs, sometimes tender, sometimes cruel, and it’s both powerful and devastating. But for every tear, there’s a moment of laughter or comfort; the balance of humor and sorrow is masterfully done.
My favorite chapter was “Remedy,” a beautiful reminder of how much dogs truly heal us, in every sense of the word.
Overall, Wolf, Moon, Dog is a must-read for any pet lover. It’s clever, tender, and brimming with love for the bond between humans and dogs. The twists on familiar stories are both imaginative and heartfelt. And yes, I’m absolutely one of those people who cares more about the dog getting hurt in a movie than any human character.
And make sure you take a look at the flip book at the bottom of the pages! Thank you to Random House Canada and Thomas Wharton for the ARC copy of this book.
November 6, 2025
Wolf, Moon, Dog by Thomas Wharton
Is phenomenal!
Another win for picking a book on vibes! This time it was because on each bottom right page there was an image of a dog, and when you flipped the book the dog ran! (Find joy in all you do!)
I was really hoping for a less Disney version of A Dog’s Purpose, and I was hesitant to read it thinking perhaps it’s too … Nicholas Sparks but with a dog. But again the cover made me think this was going to be Literature with a capital L. And my dog, it was perfection.
There are absolutely no notes for this novel, nor is there a proper category for it except for “great fiction”. We follow Wolf, a wild animal as he is kicked out of his pack, we learn his lore, his spirituality, about Moon Mother, and he meets a human eventually. Then we find Wolf in a temple, then as a guide to the afterlife and to enlightenment, we experience the world in various forms, all of them Wolf through sights, smells, voices, training. All the time with people - not all good and not all bad.
But what makes it fascinating is the kind of Wharton! Every chapter is written differently, there are poems, court transcripts, first person narratives, 3rd person, science fiction, and science fact, literal Odysseys and stoic Epics, subversive fiction, war fiction, even a visual chapter. And like all great spiritual teachings or fables he has created a thread of Wolf, in the vein of weird fiction like Sea of Tranquility. A nugget of truth that we know leads to something bigger than Wolf.
Oh I wish I could read it again for the first time! It is the most moving book I have read this year, and at no point did I know where it would lead. Wharton also is a great example of why we read the afterward, there were so many more connections that I did not catch or saw but dismissed. This is an author in love with his craft, and the attention to detail and the novel as a whole is a testament to that!
This novel is for YOU! Read it. Don’t question me, just do it. If you get nothing out of it you may be dead or dead inside.
Is phenomenal!
Another win for picking a book on vibes! This time it was because on each bottom right page there was an image of a dog, and when you flipped the book the dog ran! (Find joy in all you do!)
I was really hoping for a less Disney version of A Dog’s Purpose, and I was hesitant to read it thinking perhaps it’s too … Nicholas Sparks but with a dog. But again the cover made me think this was going to be Literature with a capital L. And my dog, it was perfection.
There are absolutely no notes for this novel, nor is there a proper category for it except for “great fiction”. We follow Wolf, a wild animal as he is kicked out of his pack, we learn his lore, his spirituality, about Moon Mother, and he meets a human eventually. Then we find Wolf in a temple, then as a guide to the afterlife and to enlightenment, we experience the world in various forms, all of them Wolf through sights, smells, voices, training. All the time with people - not all good and not all bad.
But what makes it fascinating is the kind of Wharton! Every chapter is written differently, there are poems, court transcripts, first person narratives, 3rd person, science fiction, and science fact, literal Odysseys and stoic Epics, subversive fiction, war fiction, even a visual chapter. And like all great spiritual teachings or fables he has created a thread of Wolf, in the vein of weird fiction like Sea of Tranquility. A nugget of truth that we know leads to something bigger than Wolf.
Oh I wish I could read it again for the first time! It is the most moving book I have read this year, and at no point did I know where it would lead. Wharton also is a great example of why we read the afterward, there were so many more connections that I did not catch or saw but dismissed. This is an author in love with his craft, and the attention to detail and the novel as a whole is a testament to that!
This novel is for YOU! Read it. Don’t question me, just do it. If you get nothing out of it you may be dead or dead inside.
May 5, 2026
Almost everyone loves a good dog. Most people love a good novel. Thomas Wharton’s new novel, Wolf, Moon, Dog is typeset in ITC New Baskerville, which, as we read in “A Note About the Type,” is “a cheeky nod to The Hound of the Baskervilles.” This book, inspired by fables, is itself a “cheeky nod” to the notion of a novel. It’s a compendium of tales that span the imaginary life (or lives) of a single character, a protagonist named Wolf, the first and archetypal ur-dog, who crosses the species threshold from wolf pack into human society, and then travels through time and space in an epic series of picaresque adventures. Wolf is three-headed Cerberus, and an overbred consort in a medieval court. He inspires a famed Zen koan, illuminating the nature of being; and is Laika, a Moscow street dog and first living creature to orbit the earth. Wolf is abandoned at an airport in Colombia and remains faithful, and heartbroken, until his solitary end. He is a protagonist in tales of ancient Egypt and in narratives akin to Homer, Austen and Joyce. He is companion to a famous Proustian novelist, and “something of an expert on narrative himself,” who “lives other, more memorable lives” not in evanescent memory but through his nose: “Each lamppost, tree and fire hydrant held the phrases, paragraphs and entire chapters of an ongoing saga that was his alone to read.” Through it all, of course, “There was nothing finer, he was certain, than a bone.”
Review by Ian MacRae
Full review at https://albertaviews.ca/wolf-moon-dog/
Review by Ian MacRae
Full review at https://albertaviews.ca/wolf-moon-dog/
July 7, 2026
Wolf, Moon, Dog by Thomas Wharton is a fantasy-fable that offers a unique and imaginative reading experience.
This book presents a fascinating premise where the story is told entirely from the Wolf’s perspective. I was drawn into his world, seeing through his eyes, thinking his thoughts, and following his many and varied lives as they unfold across different storylines.
At its heart, the book explores themes of identity, self-discovery, and the journey of life. Through Wolf’s experiences, the narrative weaves together separate threads that gradually connect, creating a sense of something larger unfolding beneath the surface.
The tone of the stories shifts throughout, at times sad and reflective, at others uplifting and hopeful, capturing the full spectrum of life’s experiences. This balance gives the book an emotional depth that stays with you.
Wharton’s writing flows naturally and with ease, which is a real strength of the book. I often found myself slipping effortlessly into Wolf’s world, making this an accessible and engaging read despite its more philosophical undertones.
It also offers an interesting and original way of looking at life, encouraging the reader to reflect on perspective, change, and the idea of many lives forming one journey.
Overall, Wolf, Moon, Dog is a beautifully written and imaginative fable that blends storytelling with reflection. It is a quiet, thoughtful read that feels both simple in its delivery and meaningful in its message, leaving you with a lingering sense of contemplation about identity and the paths we take through life.
This book presents a fascinating premise where the story is told entirely from the Wolf’s perspective. I was drawn into his world, seeing through his eyes, thinking his thoughts, and following his many and varied lives as they unfold across different storylines.
At its heart, the book explores themes of identity, self-discovery, and the journey of life. Through Wolf’s experiences, the narrative weaves together separate threads that gradually connect, creating a sense of something larger unfolding beneath the surface.
The tone of the stories shifts throughout, at times sad and reflective, at others uplifting and hopeful, capturing the full spectrum of life’s experiences. This balance gives the book an emotional depth that stays with you.
Wharton’s writing flows naturally and with ease, which is a real strength of the book. I often found myself slipping effortlessly into Wolf’s world, making this an accessible and engaging read despite its more philosophical undertones.
It also offers an interesting and original way of looking at life, encouraging the reader to reflect on perspective, change, and the idea of many lives forming one journey.
Overall, Wolf, Moon, Dog is a beautifully written and imaginative fable that blends storytelling with reflection. It is a quiet, thoughtful read that feels both simple in its delivery and meaningful in its message, leaving you with a lingering sense of contemplation about identity and the paths we take through life.
June 28, 2026
𝗪𝗢𝗟𝗙❟ 𝗠𝗢𝗢𝗡❟ 𝗗𝗢𝗚 𝗯𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗼𝗻 is a beautifully imaginative novel that explores the extraordinary bond between humans and dogs across thousands of years. Beginning in the Ice Age, the story follows Wolf after he is cast out of his pack and forms an unlikely partnership with one of the earliest humans. From that moment on, Wolf's many reincarnated lives carry readers through history—from Ancient Egypt and classical Greece to the Space Race and even a distant, climate-altered future. Told through Wolf's perspective, each vignette offers a unique glimpse into the evolving relationship between humans and their most loyal companions. Some stories are heartwarming, others heartbreaking, but all are filled with wit, wisdom, and quiet reflection. I especially enjoyed how Thomas Wharton blended mythology, history, and speculative fiction into one cohesive journey. More than a story about dogs, this is a thoughtful meditation on loyalty, survival, companionship, and what it truly means to coexist. Dog lovers will undoubtedly find themselves smiling, reflecting, and perhaps even shedding a tear or two as Wolf's remarkable journey unfolds through the ages.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁:
🐺 Animal Narrator
⏳ Epic Journey Through Time
🌍 Speculative Fiction
🤝 Human-Animal Bond
🏛️ Mythology & Folklore
❤️ Loyalty & Friendship
🧭 Philosophical Storytelling
🐾 Canine Companion
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁:
🐺 Animal Narrator
⏳ Epic Journey Through Time
🌍 Speculative Fiction
🤝 Human-Animal Bond
🏛️ Mythology & Folklore
❤️ Loyalty & Friendship
🧭 Philosophical Storytelling
🐾 Canine Companion
January 22, 2026
An interesting book, for sure. I'm not sure it all works as well as it intends to, but the overall vision of the story is ambitious in a good way.
It tells the imagined story of how the wolf became dog, a transition that it parellels with the human story (as the book suggests, the story of the wolf become dog is the story of how we became human, seeing this shared history as deeply indebted to one another). In telling this story it moves through a large section of history, each broken up into is own isolated mini-story involving the latest reincarnation of this wolf. This is where I think it tends to get a little bogged down. It's not that it feels entirely disconnected, but it does feel disjointed. As though its so caught up with the big idea that it neglected to give thought to an overarching theme that could pull all of these stories together. For this to work it was important to be able to use a visible arc to probe some of the tensions that do rise to the surface. Broader questions such as how we do reconcile the tribal and violent nature of this devloping kinship. A question that becomes more poignant the further we get into the human expression of this reality. Or specific questions regarding the relationship itself, such as matters of trust and fear and love and companionship. This stuff is in the book and present, but its ultimately more about the concept than anything else, content to leave one story behind for the next.
Nevertheless, it captured me enough in the early going to give it some staying power. It's the initial story that remains the most vivid, and it helps that the prose is quite lyrical too. The decision to give the dog speech in this way is perfectly suited to that visual approach.
It tells the imagined story of how the wolf became dog, a transition that it parellels with the human story (as the book suggests, the story of the wolf become dog is the story of how we became human, seeing this shared history as deeply indebted to one another). In telling this story it moves through a large section of history, each broken up into is own isolated mini-story involving the latest reincarnation of this wolf. This is where I think it tends to get a little bogged down. It's not that it feels entirely disconnected, but it does feel disjointed. As though its so caught up with the big idea that it neglected to give thought to an overarching theme that could pull all of these stories together. For this to work it was important to be able to use a visible arc to probe some of the tensions that do rise to the surface. Broader questions such as how we do reconcile the tribal and violent nature of this devloping kinship. A question that becomes more poignant the further we get into the human expression of this reality. Or specific questions regarding the relationship itself, such as matters of trust and fear and love and companionship. This stuff is in the book and present, but its ultimately more about the concept than anything else, content to leave one story behind for the next.
Nevertheless, it captured me enough in the early going to give it some staying power. It's the initial story that remains the most vivid, and it helps that the prose is quite lyrical too. The decision to give the dog speech in this way is perfectly suited to that visual approach.
October 18, 2025
Following Wolf through his many reincarnations across history, we witness how our bond with dogs has evolved and how these loyal companions have helped shape both our world and who we are as humans.
The writing is remarkably inventive. Each chapter adopts a distinct genre and style, yet Wolf’s steady, empathetic voice ties the whole journey together. Some stories are even inspired by real events, making it fascinating to see the many roles dogs have played throughout time and how their connection with humans has only grown stronger.
There were moments that had me howling with laughter and others that brought me to tears. The devotion dogs give us, often met with indifference or even cruelty, hit especially hard. Above all, this story made me reflect on my own beloved childhood dog, Sam. The bond we shared shaped me in ways I still feel today, and even though I’ve since become a proud cat mom of two, his absence remains profound.
This book was unlike anything I’ve read before. It is beautiful, moving, and wildly creative. A heartfelt journey through canine history that every animal lover should experience.🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴/5
Thank you Random House Canada for the gifted advanced reader copy!
The writing is remarkably inventive. Each chapter adopts a distinct genre and style, yet Wolf’s steady, empathetic voice ties the whole journey together. Some stories are even inspired by real events, making it fascinating to see the many roles dogs have played throughout time and how their connection with humans has only grown stronger.
There were moments that had me howling with laughter and others that brought me to tears. The devotion dogs give us, often met with indifference or even cruelty, hit especially hard. Above all, this story made me reflect on my own beloved childhood dog, Sam. The bond we shared shaped me in ways I still feel today, and even though I’ve since become a proud cat mom of two, his absence remains profound.
This book was unlike anything I’ve read before. It is beautiful, moving, and wildly creative. A heartfelt journey through canine history that every animal lover should experience.🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴/5
Thank you Random House Canada for the gifted advanced reader copy!
June 6, 2026
Wolf, Moon, Dog is a clever book tracing the life(s) of a wolf/dog from the Ice Age into the future. The stories are told in the dog’s voice in short vignettes. Wolf’s tale begins when he is cast out from his pack because game is thin and one less pack member means more food for those remaining. He spots strange animals who walk upright on the hind legs and is befriended by one of them. The relationship proves to be mutually beneficial as Wolf’s acute sense of smell and hearing help this new “pack” survive. Over time, Wolf becomes a dog and is somewhat domesticated but still a wolf at heart. Some stories harken myths, fables, and classic literature. Others relate to different historical events, the Yukon gold rush and space’s Sputnik. Discussing his trip as the first Earthling to orbit the planet another dog tells Wolf, “No animal had gone on that journey before. You were the very first… Did you ask yourself why they sent you, a dog, instead of one of their own kind? It was because they knew you wouldn’t be coming back… They sent you up there knowing you would die.” Over the centuries the relationship between dogs and humans is complex and evolutionary. In some stories humans are true friends and in others cruel. In the post apocalyptic future, dogs emerge as the dominant species and men are reduced to the behaviors of animals. Wolf, Moon, Dog offers and interesting new perspective on the co-dependent relationship between man and his best friend the dog.
October 29, 2025
Follow as a wolf gets domesticated and then reborn through different eras of history. Ok so this sounds silly but I really enjoyed this book, and I’m not a dog person at all. The stories are at times funny, heartfelt, and/or sad, but at all times very interesting and creative. The writing is impeccable, and the style changes with the time period at times, which added to the reading experience - one of my favourites was written like a Robert Service poem, which was a surprise and a delight. The audiobook narrator did an excellent job, and voiced each emotion expertly, even though most stories are told from a dog’s point of view. I’ve enjoyed the authors books in the past, and this one might be near the top of my favourites of his - I’d recommend this to all readers who enjoy animals and I hope you find it as insightful as I did. I hope he writes a cat one next…
Thank you to Libro.fm and Random House of Canada for the Audiobook Listening Copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Libro.fm and Random House of Canada for the Audiobook Listening Copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 14, 2025
If you've ever looked into your pup’s eyes and thought, you’ve definitely been here before, this book is your next obsession.
Thomas Wharton serves up a clever, charming, and unexpectedly profound novel told from the perspective of a dog named Wolf—who just happens to have lived many lives. Think Ancient Egypt, Alexandrian Greece, medieval forests, and yes, even outer space. Each chapter is a reimagined fable, stitched together with wit, wisdom, and a lot of heart.
And the best part? Wolf ends up on trial for chicken murder. (Justice for Wolf! He’s misunderstood!)
This isn’t just a love letter to dogs—it’s a meditation on loyalty, memory, and the strange, soulful bond between humans and their four-legged companions. Funny, moving, and mythic in scope, Wolf, Moon, Dog might just change the way you see your furry best friend.
Thomas Wharton serves up a clever, charming, and unexpectedly profound novel told from the perspective of a dog named Wolf—who just happens to have lived many lives. Think Ancient Egypt, Alexandrian Greece, medieval forests, and yes, even outer space. Each chapter is a reimagined fable, stitched together with wit, wisdom, and a lot of heart.
And the best part? Wolf ends up on trial for chicken murder. (Justice for Wolf! He’s misunderstood!)
This isn’t just a love letter to dogs—it’s a meditation on loyalty, memory, and the strange, soulful bond between humans and their four-legged companions. Funny, moving, and mythic in scope, Wolf, Moon, Dog might just change the way you see your furry best friend.
October 16, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.
Shoot, I told myself I was not going to sit on the fence with this.
But, here we are, I want it to be 3.5 stars. I will bump it up.
It is different. I like the idea. Beginning as a Wolf with reincarnations into some of the types of lives dogs lead. Early on, I was interested, however wondered if it was a bit juvenile. Later it isn’t juvenile and it goes in interesting directions. But, I was left looking for more in some of the storylines. I think that dog lovers around the world will enjoy this and it might make their cheeks hurt just thinking about their own dogs. I like dogs but don’t have one, so it didn’t make my cheeks hurt.
So, despite saying that I would go one way or another, I am left on the fence. Someone with a dog, please read this and let me know if you find a deeper connection to it.
Shoot, I told myself I was not going to sit on the fence with this.
But, here we are, I want it to be 3.5 stars. I will bump it up.
It is different. I like the idea. Beginning as a Wolf with reincarnations into some of the types of lives dogs lead. Early on, I was interested, however wondered if it was a bit juvenile. Later it isn’t juvenile and it goes in interesting directions. But, I was left looking for more in some of the storylines. I think that dog lovers around the world will enjoy this and it might make their cheeks hurt just thinking about their own dogs. I like dogs but don’t have one, so it didn’t make my cheeks hurt.
So, despite saying that I would go one way or another, I am left on the fence. Someone with a dog, please read this and let me know if you find a deeper connection to it.
September 30, 2025
A series of short stories about dogs that cover different periods in time. We follow Wolf who is sometimes a wolf and sometimes a dog depending on the reincarnation cycle. This book highlights the bond between man and his best friend through the good and the bad.
Favourites include:
Escort - Where Wolf is a dog guiding a princess through the underworld. I enjoy the idea that dogs help us by just being there as our companions.
Remedy - a dog is prescribed by a healer. I loved how the story captures the emotional healing bond dogs have over our hearts.
Speak - I related to some parts of speak and the different ways we talk to our dogs 🐶 I may have adapted a song or two for my little piper 😂
Laika - This one made me so sad I almost moved onto the next story. Told from the POV of Laika, the stray dog, who was sent into space then left to perish. How scared that poor dog likely was breaks my heart.
Favourites include:
Escort - Where Wolf is a dog guiding a princess through the underworld. I enjoy the idea that dogs help us by just being there as our companions.
Remedy - a dog is prescribed by a healer. I loved how the story captures the emotional healing bond dogs have over our hearts.
Speak - I related to some parts of speak and the different ways we talk to our dogs 🐶 I may have adapted a song or two for my little piper 😂
Laika - This one made me so sad I almost moved onto the next story. Told from the POV of Laika, the stray dog, who was sent into space then left to perish. How scared that poor dog likely was breaks my heart.
November 27, 2025
I definitely enjoyed some of the stories (not Speak), and the narration was fantastically done, but i often felt like i was missing out on the "why". like as a set of vaguely connected short stories, I appreciated the different povs and unique jaunts into history, but I felt like there was always a moral i was too thick to grasp, maybe there wasnt and this was just a collection of stories, but it ~felt~ like i was missing something. my favourite parts were the Wolf chapters that started and finished the book; I liked the interpretation of wolf becoming dog, it gave the vibe of laline paul's The Bees, in the way that it was a modern humans expression of an experience that isn't/wasn't their own
February 13, 2026
what if the first dog choosing a human was the original love story.
that’s the energy here.
a wolf becomes a dog and keeps becoming one, across centuries, myths, wars, space. it sounds whimsical. it is. but it’s also quietly devastating.
it’s episodic and a little chaotic, yet deeply tender without ever begging you to cry. some chapters glow more than others, but when it lands, especially in the mythic and laika moments, it really lands.
small. strange. sincere.
made me look at every dog like: oh. we did this to each other.
maybe domestication was just mutual heartbreak with better branding.
thank you to the publisher for the arc
that’s the energy here.
a wolf becomes a dog and keeps becoming one, across centuries, myths, wars, space. it sounds whimsical. it is. but it’s also quietly devastating.
it’s episodic and a little chaotic, yet deeply tender without ever begging you to cry. some chapters glow more than others, but when it lands, especially in the mythic and laika moments, it really lands.
small. strange. sincere.
made me look at every dog like: oh. we did this to each other.
maybe domestication was just mutual heartbreak with better branding.
thank you to the publisher for the arc
October 14, 2025
2.5/5 ⭐
I’m honestly not sure how I feel about this book. Wolf, Moon, Dog is beautifully written and ultimately ends on a hopeful note, but the journey there was very difficult. Reading about the repeated cruelty dogs endure at the hands of humans was deeply upsetting and, at times, hard to get through. While I can appreciate what Wharton was exploring—the relationship between humans, nature, and compassion—I don’t think this is a book I’d ever want to revisit. It’s haunting and thought-provoking, but also painful in its honesty.
I’m honestly not sure how I feel about this book. Wolf, Moon, Dog is beautifully written and ultimately ends on a hopeful note, but the journey there was very difficult. Reading about the repeated cruelty dogs endure at the hands of humans was deeply upsetting and, at times, hard to get through. While I can appreciate what Wharton was exploring—the relationship between humans, nature, and compassion—I don’t think this is a book I’d ever want to revisit. It’s haunting and thought-provoking, but also painful in its honesty.
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