Early in the book “The Dogs of Venice” the protagonist, Paul, ponders his mother’s love of the Catholic Church and the origins of his first name, from Paul the Apostle. He wonders what Paul is the patron saint of, and how saints are given these things.

“Randomly upon canonization? Did they pick slips of paper from a bowl? Peter, you get premature baldness, cabbage, and sloths. John? Sandwich cookies with double the filling, dolphins, and adults who can’t tell time.”

The book follows Paul, who was recently dumped by his boyfriend, Darren. As Paul explores Venice at Christmastime, it allows him to reflect on his relationship and gain perspective.

Paul first sees a stray dog, who is never given a name, from a picture window in the loft he rents that overlooks one of the city’s canals. He a

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