We meet Rhys at a terrible time in his life. He's visiting his mum in hospital. She's desperately ill. But Rhys is distracted by a dog lying under his mum's bed in the hospital ward. 

It's a beautiful black labrador with velvet ears and conker brown eyes. And it seems to be lost. So Rhys names him Worthington and decides he will care for him. But when Rhys has to move to London to be with his dad, he has to keep Worthington a secret.

Rhys proves to be a loyal and devoted owner for Worthington, and he's resourceful and determined too. But ultimately he has to realise that he can't keep his dog hidden any longer, and he also has to accept his new life. 

Rhys comes to terms with the loss of his mum and appreciates the love and care offered to him by his new family with his dad. And at that point it seems Worthington's work is done.

This is a wonderful book that had me in tears at the end (in a good way). Rhys and Worthington are fabulous and the illustrations are a perfect accompaniment to their story.