How could I resist that face? Add in the title and I almost didn't care about the blurb. :D I didn't realize that it was the second book in a series but after reading this one, I'm hooked. 
 Animals, more animals, a romance, a homecoming, family problems, small town New England life - all tropes and themes that appeal to me. Cyrus took a bit of time to warm up to and I never really did warm up to his love interest, Amy. Cyrus is socially challenged, nosy, blunt, and an introvert. The combination makes him difficult to know, both for the reader and the other characters, but the more time we spend in his head, the more I got to understand and like him. Amy is also blunt yet secretive, annoyingly coy, and sends mixed messages romantically. When we find out why, part of me understood where she was coming from and part of me thought she should have held off on getting involved until her situation was straightened out. I was a little uncomfortable with the level of interest Cyrus has for Amy, it bordered on stalking at times; Trout was treading a fine line and some readers may not care for it. 
 I shrug and wonder how Amy might reply. "Some people say I'm nosy. I prefer curious. I've always liked solving any kind of puzzle."...For half a minute, Stash and I survey the property. Amy's right. I am inquisitive. I'll even accept stubborn and relentless. But there are times when this approach to life can come in handy. And maybe this is one of them. 
 While there's a romance, the story is not primarily a romance. Cyrus is undergoing something of a mid-life crisis, although it's unclear what his age is, maybe late thirties? He's made some major life changes and reading about them, and the challenges they present to his comfort zone was interesting and engaging. Despite himself, he gets involved with people and local events. At times, with the combination of animal cases and life anecdotes, I felt as if I were reading an updated James Herriot book. Another character even compares Cyrus, unfavorably, to Herriot. The evil conglomerate story is over the top but the peeks we got into into veterinary practice were interesting and almost made up for the soap opera-ish drama. 
 Trout has a wonderful way with description: 
 Lewis gives me "the stare." I've seen it before. It's like being injected with truth serum, the way its kind intent makes you want to find the right answer...the cold has already ripped off my ears, chewed away my entire face, and begun to feast on my brain..."The bar was packed and I couldn't make them out, except some guy with an annoying, distinctive laugh." Lewis offers a sage nod. "Let me guess, braying donkey meets croupy pig?" 
 Combine that with deft characterization and smooth pacing and "Dog Gone, Back Soon" is an enjoyable story that has me wanting more.