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Little Black Dog: A Story of Love, Laughter, and Stolen Sandwiches
He weighs sixteen pounds and believes every sandwich in the house belongs to him.
In this joyful follow-up to the bestselling Pawprints on Our Hearts, Kerk Murray chronicles seven years with Max—a Yorkipoo who treats rules as mere suggestions and proves that even the smallest creatures can leave the biggest impact.
Part love letter, part reckoning with time, Little Black Dog is a tribute to the animals who help us become who we're meant to be, and a reminder to give our dearest ones their flowers while they're still here to receive them.
In this joyful follow-up to the bestselling Pawprints on Our Hearts, Kerk Murray chronicles seven years with Max—a Yorkipoo who treats rules as mere suggestions and proves that even the smallest creatures can leave the biggest impact.
Part love letter, part reckoning with time, Little Black Dog is a tribute to the animals who help us become who we're meant to be, and a reminder to give our dearest ones their flowers while they're still here to receive them.
291 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 19, 2025
6 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Kerk Murray
17 books193 followersKerk Murray is an Amazon Top 50 and Barnes & Noble bestselling author of clean contemporary romance. His series include Dog Lovers, Hadley Cove Sweet Romance, and Sugarberry Ridge Holiday Romance.
Fans of Rachel Hanna and Debbie Macomber will love his Southern small-town stories about second chances—featuring swoony heroes, strong heroines, and rescue animals that you'll fall in love with too.
Beyond writing, Kerk is the founder of The Lexi's Legacy Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps animal rescues save more lives. A portion of his book proceeds supports this mission because every animal deserves a forever home.
Connect with Kerk and sign up for his newsletter at www.kerkmurray.com for new releases and exclusive sneak peeks of upcoming books.
For film and subsidiary rights inquiries: info@kerkmurray.com
Follow Kerk:
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/2171938...
Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/profile/kerk-murray
Amazon: www.amazon.com/KerkMurray/e/B09C39NLYT
Instagram: www.instagram.com/kerkmurray
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@kerkmurray
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kerkwrites
Fans of Rachel Hanna and Debbie Macomber will love his Southern small-town stories about second chances—featuring swoony heroes, strong heroines, and rescue animals that you'll fall in love with too.
Beyond writing, Kerk is the founder of The Lexi's Legacy Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps animal rescues save more lives. A portion of his book proceeds supports this mission because every animal deserves a forever home.
Connect with Kerk and sign up for his newsletter at www.kerkmurray.com for new releases and exclusive sneak peeks of upcoming books.
For film and subsidiary rights inquiries: info@kerkmurray.com
Follow Kerk:
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/2171938...
Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/profile/kerk-murray
Amazon: www.amazon.com/KerkMurray/e/B09C39NLYT
Instagram: www.instagram.com/kerkmurray
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@kerkmurray
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kerkwrites
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 5, 2026
*3.5 stars*
What can I say? If you love dogs then you’ll love “Little Black Dog”
Yorkipoo, Maximus, weighs just sixteen pounds but his presence is much weightier in a (mostly) good way, just don’t get between him and a sandwich!
A lovely, fun and heartwarming true story, covering the first seven years of Max’s life, and also featuring his Morkie ‘brother’, Spartacus, and not forgetting their human mum and dad, Kerk and Crystal, with some beautiful photos included.
Dog lovers everywhere will recognise themselves here, not least for that unconditional love between a dog and his owner. Our beloved pets bring so much love into our lives without asking for anything in return, (well, maybe a sandwich or two)!
*Thank you to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
What can I say? If you love dogs then you’ll love “Little Black Dog”
Yorkipoo, Maximus, weighs just sixteen pounds but his presence is much weightier in a (mostly) good way, just don’t get between him and a sandwich!
A lovely, fun and heartwarming true story, covering the first seven years of Max’s life, and also featuring his Morkie ‘brother’, Spartacus, and not forgetting their human mum and dad, Kerk and Crystal, with some beautiful photos included.
Dog lovers everywhere will recognise themselves here, not least for that unconditional love between a dog and his owner. Our beloved pets bring so much love into our lives without asking for anything in return, (well, maybe a sandwich or two)!
*Thank you to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
January 20, 2026
I’ve said this before and will probably say it as much as it is true, I am such a sucker for a good doggie story. While this story did have a couple of kooky and entertaining doggies, it was really more about Kerk Murray’s success story. Don’t get me wrong, LOVE Maximus and Spartacus!!! That Max reminds me so much of my Bandit baby, who, by the way, is very aptly named. Hubby and I learned VERY quickly that we could NEVER leave any food within his reach and most certainly never turn our backs on him when we were eating on the couch or at our desks.
Anyway, in the first installment of the Dog Lovers series, we learned a little bit about how Kerk started his foundation, Lexi’s Legacy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing financial assistance for urgent medical care to sick and injured dogs through grants. However, in this installment, he got a lot more of the background of how Kerk became a full-time writer that donates a percentage of his book proceeds to Lexi’s Legacy.
The reader also gets to see the continuing character development of Kerk and how he became a vegan in support of not being a part of the meat-eating population. The scene that became the life alternating moment for Kerk was a tough scene to read. I commend him for his decision. It was a similar experience for me many years ago when I became a vegetarian. While I’m not a vegetarian anymore, I still do not eat beef or pork.
Anyway, I look forward to Kerk’s next installment in the Dog Lover’s series. Like all non-fiction I read, I only rate on the material that was provided and the manner in which it was provided. I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.25 that I will be rounding down to a 4star review. I want to thank NetGalley and the Books Go Social for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review
#NetGalley #BooksGoSocial #LittleBlackDog
Anyway, in the first installment of the Dog Lovers series, we learned a little bit about how Kerk started his foundation, Lexi’s Legacy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing financial assistance for urgent medical care to sick and injured dogs through grants. However, in this installment, he got a lot more of the background of how Kerk became a full-time writer that donates a percentage of his book proceeds to Lexi’s Legacy.
The reader also gets to see the continuing character development of Kerk and how he became a vegan in support of not being a part of the meat-eating population. The scene that became the life alternating moment for Kerk was a tough scene to read. I commend him for his decision. It was a similar experience for me many years ago when I became a vegetarian. While I’m not a vegetarian anymore, I still do not eat beef or pork.
Anyway, I look forward to Kerk’s next installment in the Dog Lover’s series. Like all non-fiction I read, I only rate on the material that was provided and the manner in which it was provided. I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.25 that I will be rounding down to a 4star review. I want to thank NetGalley and the Books Go Social for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review
#NetGalley #BooksGoSocial #LittleBlackDog
January 30, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
I've read Kerk Murray's previous dog book, Pawprints on our Hearts, and I loved it so I knew this one would be just as good. I love the antics his dogs get up to and can relate to the food thief instances. This book will make you laugh and if you're a dog owner, you'll relate and appreciate his love for his sons. As a child free household, I have 2 dogs that definitely have a lot in common.
I've read Kerk Murray's previous dog book, Pawprints on our Hearts, and I loved it so I knew this one would be just as good. I love the antics his dogs get up to and can relate to the food thief instances. This book will make you laugh and if you're a dog owner, you'll relate and appreciate his love for his sons. As a child free household, I have 2 dogs that definitely have a lot in common.
January 21, 2026
A wonderful story for those who love dogs. Although I've only had cats most of my adult life, this charming book brought back memories of my childhood puppy and makes me want to get a dog now. Loved it!
December 28, 2025
I picked this up expecting a cute dog memoir, and what I got was so much more than that. Little Black Dog is the story of Max, yes, but it's really about what unconditional love looks like when you're brave enough to let it change you.
The sandwich heists had me laughing out loud (that Thanksgiving pie incident!), but then he'd hit you with a moment so tender—like Max waiting at the window for hours or climbing onto Kerk's chest during a panic attack—that I had to put the book down and just breathe.
What surprised me most was how this isn't just a dog book. It's about finding the courage to leave jobs that don't align with your values, even when it's terrifying. It's about choosing compassion over convenience. It's about building something meaningful—the Lexi's Legacy Foundation has raised nearly $300,000 for animal rescues, which is just incredible.
The writing itself is engaging and unpretentious. And the photos throughout? They're not just cute additions; they're perfectly placed emotional gut-punches that bring the stories to life.
The way Max and Spartacus became brothers after a rocky start, the building of a writing career from scratch, the move to full-time authorship—all of it weaves together into this beautiful testament to taking leaps of faith. Murray's journey from Chick-fil-A executive to bestselling author while running a nonprofit is genuinely inspiring, but he never makes it sound easy or inevitable. You feel his doubt, his exhaustion, his moments of "what am I doing?"
And Max. That little food-stealing, muffin-snatching, window-waiting bundle of black fur jumps off every page. By the end, when Kerk is standing on that dock realizing that seven years isn't enough but being grateful for every moment anyway—I was heartbroken.
This book reminded me why we let these creatures into our lives even though we know how the story ends. Because the love is worth it. Every stolen sandwich, every worried wait by the window, every tail wag—it's all worth it.
Perfect for fans of memoirs like The Art of Racing in the Rain or anyone who's ever looked at their dog and wondered how something so small could take up so much space in your heart.
The sandwich heists had me laughing out loud (that Thanksgiving pie incident!), but then he'd hit you with a moment so tender—like Max waiting at the window for hours or climbing onto Kerk's chest during a panic attack—that I had to put the book down and just breathe.
What surprised me most was how this isn't just a dog book. It's about finding the courage to leave jobs that don't align with your values, even when it's terrifying. It's about choosing compassion over convenience. It's about building something meaningful—the Lexi's Legacy Foundation has raised nearly $300,000 for animal rescues, which is just incredible.
The writing itself is engaging and unpretentious. And the photos throughout? They're not just cute additions; they're perfectly placed emotional gut-punches that bring the stories to life.
The way Max and Spartacus became brothers after a rocky start, the building of a writing career from scratch, the move to full-time authorship—all of it weaves together into this beautiful testament to taking leaps of faith. Murray's journey from Chick-fil-A executive to bestselling author while running a nonprofit is genuinely inspiring, but he never makes it sound easy or inevitable. You feel his doubt, his exhaustion, his moments of "what am I doing?"
And Max. That little food-stealing, muffin-snatching, window-waiting bundle of black fur jumps off every page. By the end, when Kerk is standing on that dock realizing that seven years isn't enough but being grateful for every moment anyway—I was heartbroken.
This book reminded me why we let these creatures into our lives even though we know how the story ends. Because the love is worth it. Every stolen sandwich, every worried wait by the window, every tail wag—it's all worth it.
Perfect for fans of memoirs like The Art of Racing in the Rain or anyone who's ever looked at their dog and wondered how something so small could take up so much space in your heart.
January 20, 2026
This a book written by a dog lover for a dog lover. It's not just about Max and Spartacus and their antics (though they are hilarious and the pups are adorable). It is about the things that dogs teach us, the reason that we love them so much and how they make everything seem to be better even when things don't go as planned. Somehow they make it all better by simply existing.
You can tell by the way the writer speaks about his dogs and about his childhood dog that he has been one of the lucky ones that has loved and been unconditionally loved back tenfold by a dog. There are people who own dogs and there are people who bond so deeply with dogs that they become a part of each other. The way an author writes shows you exactly which one they are. Just like you can't fake it with a dog, you cannot fake it with a reader who has loved and lost so deeply with a best friend and soul dog. This author gets it and that speaks to not just the mind but to the heart of someone who loves dogs just as much as he does.
It goes beyond that in this book. It tells the tale of an author who has found the courage to do what he loves and aligns with what he believes in. It is about taking all of the deep love of a dog and all that they have taught you over many years and pouring yourself into something that means something. I can't think of a better way to honor that love than Lexi's Legacy. She is so very proud of you.
It is a story and an inspiration to those of us who have loved and lost and are seeking the courage to do something that we think we can't and to make something beautiful out of our soul dog's love. That is not only a story. It is a gift on paper.
You can tell by the way the writer speaks about his dogs and about his childhood dog that he has been one of the lucky ones that has loved and been unconditionally loved back tenfold by a dog. There are people who own dogs and there are people who bond so deeply with dogs that they become a part of each other. The way an author writes shows you exactly which one they are. Just like you can't fake it with a dog, you cannot fake it with a reader who has loved and lost so deeply with a best friend and soul dog. This author gets it and that speaks to not just the mind but to the heart of someone who loves dogs just as much as he does.
It goes beyond that in this book. It tells the tale of an author who has found the courage to do what he loves and aligns with what he believes in. It is about taking all of the deep love of a dog and all that they have taught you over many years and pouring yourself into something that means something. I can't think of a better way to honor that love than Lexi's Legacy. She is so very proud of you.
It is a story and an inspiration to those of us who have loved and lost and are seeking the courage to do something that we think we can't and to make something beautiful out of our soul dog's love. That is not only a story. It is a gift on paper.
January 16, 2026
Little Black Dog by Kerk Murray is a most charming nonfiction tale of Maximus (Max) a black Yorkipoo and Spartacus a white and copper Morkie.
The reader is delighted by the antics of both dogs. These bundles of fluff are proper bundles of energy. Their enthusiasm for life has been perfectly captured by the author. It is easy for us to ‘see’ and empathise with their actions.
Both dogs have beautiful bonds with their dog parents. They wait for them to return, as soon as they leave! “To them, every return is a miracle.”
We see that where there are dogs, there are rules to be broken! Any human willpower disintegrates once one gazes upon their furry faces!
Food is something the dogs really love. The following resonated with me: “When she bakes these muffins, both boys camp out by the oven. Max whines, paces, and generally acts like he’s never been fed in his life.”
The author wrote this book as a tribute to Max, who at seven-year-old is still very much with us. “I don’t want this to end. But one day it will. Time will run out… I hope my heart remembers the love that never will.” This brings a lump to my throat. It is always too soon to say goodbye.
I loved the inclusion of many photos of Max and Spartacus. I only had a black and white copy on my kindle. I can only imagine how much nicer the images will look in paperback form. Both dogs are adorable.
Little Black Dog is a book that will sink into your heart and soul as you get to know both dogs.
I received a free copy. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
The reader is delighted by the antics of both dogs. These bundles of fluff are proper bundles of energy. Their enthusiasm for life has been perfectly captured by the author. It is easy for us to ‘see’ and empathise with their actions.
Both dogs have beautiful bonds with their dog parents. They wait for them to return, as soon as they leave! “To them, every return is a miracle.”
We see that where there are dogs, there are rules to be broken! Any human willpower disintegrates once one gazes upon their furry faces!
Food is something the dogs really love. The following resonated with me: “When she bakes these muffins, both boys camp out by the oven. Max whines, paces, and generally acts like he’s never been fed in his life.”
The author wrote this book as a tribute to Max, who at seven-year-old is still very much with us. “I don’t want this to end. But one day it will. Time will run out… I hope my heart remembers the love that never will.” This brings a lump to my throat. It is always too soon to say goodbye.
I loved the inclusion of many photos of Max and Spartacus. I only had a black and white copy on my kindle. I can only imagine how much nicer the images will look in paperback form. Both dogs are adorable.
Little Black Dog is a book that will sink into your heart and soul as you get to know both dogs.
I received a free copy. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
December 31, 2025
I’m a sucker for a good dog story, but I always have trepidation about the dog’s ending. Since LITTLE BLACK DOG was the author’s reflection back on his dog’s first seven years, I knew I’d be safe.
One thing I could tell immediately is that Kerk Murray is a natural storyteller. He drew me in immediately with Yorkipoo Max’s antics from puppyhood to adulthood. Max has a penchant for stealing food, and I loved how Kerk told the story with great affection for Max’s mischief.
When Kerk and his wife decide that Max needs a playmate, Morkie Spartacus enters their lives. And the antics escalate with two dogs in the household.
Don’t let the page count deter you—this book is more of a longish novella, full of stories and pictures of the family through the years. What was most amazing was the inspiration these little dogs gave to Kerk in making far-reaching changes to his career.
I finished this book in one day. LITTLE BLACK DOG was written with much humor, love, and compassion for animals in need of rescue. Since he’s such a great storyteller, I may even try one of Kerk’s romance novels, despite not being a big fan of romance novels.
🌟Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.🌟
One thing I could tell immediately is that Kerk Murray is a natural storyteller. He drew me in immediately with Yorkipoo Max’s antics from puppyhood to adulthood. Max has a penchant for stealing food, and I loved how Kerk told the story with great affection for Max’s mischief.
When Kerk and his wife decide that Max needs a playmate, Morkie Spartacus enters their lives. And the antics escalate with two dogs in the household.
Don’t let the page count deter you—this book is more of a longish novella, full of stories and pictures of the family through the years. What was most amazing was the inspiration these little dogs gave to Kerk in making far-reaching changes to his career.
I finished this book in one day. LITTLE BLACK DOG was written with much humor, love, and compassion for animals in need of rescue. Since he’s such a great storyteller, I may even try one of Kerk’s romance novels, despite not being a big fan of romance novels.
🌟Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.🌟
December 27, 2025
Little Black Dog by Kerk Murray is a fun, cheerful story about the life of Kerk Murray and his dogs. The little black dog Maximus has the personality of a mischievous clown who is a master at stealing food. It is a funny story full of love and canine loyalty, but also about how this love for dogs gave Kerk a new job that changed his life and gave him a new perspective. It is a heartwarming story, and it is wonderful that Kerk supports so many animal shelters that are in urgent need of help. It is an honest and personal story that perfectly captures how our furry four-legged friends influence our lives and take over completely.
December 28, 2025
This was a cute story which gave you a better understanding on the author's perspective. When I have read his other stories, I found him to be a bit quirky, so this story explained some of those quirks. I love his heart for animals and how he involves them in his fictional tales as well as the non-fiction writings. You have to admire someone that lives his beliefs in every area.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 3, 2026
I fell in love with this book when I first saw the cover, the story cemented its place on my recommended list of heartfelt stories. Kerk Murray tells the story of his journey as the best friend of a unique character. The story will hit readers in their emotions, I got goosebumps from some chapters and feel blessed to have read Murray's story of life, love and laughter.
January 10, 2026
I have loved books by Kerk Murray so this was a no brainer for me to read and I am so glad I did! I didn't know much about him and was curious and this book answered question, helped a new kind of connection form and had me laughing and loving all the dog fun! I could relate to so much and loved the courage shown! Really awesome and inspiring book!!
Review of advance copy
This book gives you real insight into the author. It is mainly about his first dog and what it is like living with Maximus, but you feel like you really get to know Kerk as an author, a husband and a dog parent. Kudos Kerk I loved it. Read it in one day, couldn't put it down.
January 2, 2026
priceless
Reading this book was not only funny but also heartwarming and inspiring. I loved reading about how much support and love our beloved animals bring to our lives without asking for anything in return - our world would be a much better place, if we learned a few lessons from them.
Reading this book was not only funny but also heartwarming and inspiring. I loved reading about how much support and love our beloved animals bring to our lives without asking for anything in return - our world would be a much better place, if we learned a few lessons from them.
February 2, 2026
As a proud dog parent of two fur babies, I loved this book about Maximus. I am a big Kerk Murray fan and share hid books with my sister. Our pets are with us for a sort time but leave everlasting memories.
February 9, 2026
Gotta love pets
I love books about dogs. I am a dog foster for a rescue in Texas. I have often thought of writing some of my experiences. You would be surprised at the wonderful and some sad storys. Keep it up and thanks for my auto graphed books
I love books about dogs. I am a dog foster for a rescue in Texas. I have often thought of writing some of my experiences. You would be surprised at the wonderful and some sad storys. Keep it up and thanks for my auto graphed books
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews