I'm serious. I don't give two shits about spoilers normally (though I'm not disrespectful, I'll tag), but the less you know about this book the first time you go in, the better imo.

It's not a thriller or mystery or anything, there's not really any "twists", it's more, it's just a beautifully-written book, but I feel the first journey you get where you realize you know the protagonist better than he knows himself, and see how that unfolds, is a better experience. There's a part towards the end that's so beautiful and against what people would encourage especially in commercial fiction, and I want you to enjoy that without expectation.

And don't worry, the dog is fine.