Celebrating one year of Until The Last Dog!

Dear Friends, Readers, and Fellow Dog Lovers,

It’s hard to believe that one year ago today, Until The Last Dog was released into the world. What began as a deeply personal journey—one I penned in quiet moments, with equal measures of trepidation and hope—has since become something much larger: a shared story, a conversation, and a bond between you and me.

Over the past year, your letters, emails, reviews, and conversations have overwhelmed me with gratitude. Many of you have told me how parts of my journey—from childhood struggles to the exhilaration (and heartbreak) of sled dog racing—have resonated with your own lives. Some of you have written from surprising places, across different continents, reminding me how universal the themes of perseverance, loyalty, and heart truly are.

When I first started writing, I never knew whether so many of you would read it, or whether the story would find purpose beyond my own catharsis. The fact that Until The Last Dog has found its way into your hands, into your hearts, means more than I can fully express. Because of your support, the story continues to live and breathe. Looking back over the year, a few highlights stand out:

• The chance to speak with readers who have asked questions, shared their own dog stories, and been vulnerable about their struggles.
• Seeing the book find a home in small local bookstores, where it sits alongside memoirs, outdoor adventures, and animal-lovers’ favorites.
• Messages telling me that certain chapters offered solace or inspiration. Those words reminded me why the hardest parts of our journey are often the ones others need to hear.

So today, I want to say thank you to every person who has turned those pages, left a review, shared the book with a friend, or simply held it with curiosity. Your support has kept the spirit of this story alive.

As we step into the next year, I’m excited to deepen the conversations through hosting occasional Q&A sessions, book signings, book club chats, and virtual meetups.

If you have questions, reflections, or even chapters you’d like to revisit together, I’d be honored to connect. Your voices are now a part of this journey.
Here’s to the first year—and to many more ahead, together.

With heartfelt gratitude,
Rob Downey