Now that all her friends have died, an old woman likes to name only those things that she knows will outlive her, such as her house, her car and her big red chair. However, she doesn’t name the stray dog that she feeds at her gate every day, until he doesn’t show up, and she realizes how much she misses him. She goes to find him, names him and brings him home for keeps.
The illustrations are fanciful in style. The old woman’s white hair twirls above her head like a knotted tornado. She wears glasses with pointy edges and cowboy boots with pointy toes. Her smile as she feeds the dog is shy and kind. She’s self-sufficient, living alone and washing her own car. Kids will enjoy this cheerful tale about daring to become emotionally attached despite the risk of loss.
