Will's Red Coat: The Story of One Old Dog Who Chose to Live Again

by Tom Ryan

When I finally admitted it, I felt like I was on the first of twelve steps. But with introversion, there’s only one step. You recognize yourself. What follows is peace and empowerment. You no longer have to try to fit in. You finally understand your social anxiety, and why you are allergic to shallow conversation.

“Dogs and coyotes and owls and bears and people are all the same inside. We have the same emotions. We fear and love and get angry and are happy. We all have compassion and empathy.

I was troubled on Thursday night. I slept on the couch, with Atticus tucked behind my knees, because Will refused to leave his flowers behind. I fought to stay awake, knowing in hours I would never have Will to sit with again.