Macon Leary, a travel writer specializing in guides for businessmen who hate to travel, is emotionally immobilized after the death of his son and the subsequent estrangement from his wife. When his quirky, beloved dog breaks its leg, Macon is forced to hire Muriel Pritchett, a dog trainer whose unconventional methods and vibrant personality slowly begin to reawaken Macon's sense of life and love. The novel, set in Baltimore, explores themes of grief, connection, and the unexpected ways people find their path back to happiness.