Nicholas Sparks introduces the main character, Noelle, as she is visiting the cemetery where her late husband is buried. She brings their daughter, Allie, to visit her father on his birthday. On the way home from the cemetery, Noelle and Allie stop by the local animal shelter. Allie picks a puppy from the shelter, which they decide to name Tucker.
Noelle tells the people at the animal shelter that her husband often worked with their shelter. As they are leaving, Allie asks Noelle about a special notebook she saw when they were at the animal shelter. Noelle goes to retrieve it for her. Tucker runs inside the animal shelter, where Noelle finds the notebook. She gives it to Allie and tells her it's a special book that her husband used to write in when he was working at the animal shelter.
Allie takes the notebook home and starts to read what's inside. She finds that her father wrote about his relationships with the animals at the shelter, as well as his thoughts and feelings about his life and family.