[1] The novel was a New York Times bestseller for 49 weeks,[2] garnering critical praise from such sources as Temple Grandin, famous for her study of cattle behavior; Kirkus Reviews; and Marty Becker, resident veterinarian on the early-morning television show, Good Morning America.

A few weeks later, after being nursed by their mother, a feral as well, the dog and his siblings Fast, Sister, and Hungry go outside of their den to explore the woods around them.

Not long after, animal control service agents arrive with orders to shut down the place due to poor sanitation and welfare conditions.

Ethan goes to live with his grandparents at their farm in Michigan so he can be with his girlfriend Hannah and finish his senior year in high school.

After passing of old age, he is reborn but this time as a Labrador Retriever with Wendi, his new owner, who is ecstatic with her new pet, whom she names Bear.

Neither treat Bear very well, and the mother's boyfriend, fed up with the dog upon receiving a notice that he needs to provide better living conditions, ditches him on a country road.

Years pass, and Ethan suffers from an apparent stroke, and as he is dying suddenly recognizes that Buddy is Bailey.

Publishers Weekly called A Dog's Purpose "a tail-wagging three hanky boo-hooer" and "delightful".

[6] The Washington Post criticized Cameron for "exploiting dogs' selflessness for his own mawkish ends".