1. What is the significance of the book’s title?

2. Why did the author choose Shamus to narrate the story? How would the book have been different if Gwen was the narrator? Lela?

3. Are the characters believable? Can you relate to their dilemmas?

4. How do the characters change or evolve throughout the course of the story?

5. What is the author’s message about faith?

6. At what point did Shamus begin his succession? Can you identify specific examples that illustrate the gradual shift between Lela and Shamus? At what point do you think the transition was complete?

7. Did any part of the book make you uncomfortable? If so, why?

8. Why does Shamus refer to God as “Grammy’s God”?

9. Why did Lela not show herself to Gwen after her passing?

10. Did the book end as you expected?

11. What emotions did the story evoke in you as a reader?

12. Do you look at animals differently as a result of reading this book?

13. If you could ask the author to change something about the book, what would it be?