Almost Perfect by Diane Daniels Manning

She's always wanted to go to the Westminster Dog Show, but she knew she wouldn't be able to handle defeat.  She had some leg problems and feared falling, so she just didn't go.  But she never expected to get a young boy next door who was determined to have a puppy and determined to impress his mother...

Beltor and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It has been published, so check with your local bookstore for a copy.

Benny has problems learning.  Lessons bore him, he has trouble making sense of numbers and he'd goof off if he's going to get bad grades anyway.  The special school he is in works with him to see how he best learns and to encourage him and help him with his own emotional problems.  All he wants is to have this mother back and that's not possible,  she has a new life.  He wants her to notice him and see how smart and good he is.  What better way to do that than show a dog and win prizes?

Bess isn't doing dog breeding anymore and is selling her last batch of puppies.  When Benny wants to buy her stud show dog, she tells him no, but he can have one of the puppies.  He doesn't want a puppy!  When McCreary is stolen, she's heartbroken and wants to give up.  Benny won't let her.  He agrees to take a puppy.  Bess says he has to train it and he agrees.

This is story of sons and mothers, an older lady who needs new life and hope, and a young boy who is willing to work hard and sacrifice for his goal.  You'll learn a lot about dog shows, relationships and life.  I especially enjoyed the relationship between Bess and Benny.  She hasn't had kids around for a long time and didn't do so well with her son when he was there.  Benny views her as a grandmother and is willing to cut her some slack, but he also will browbeat her into doing what she promised.

Not everything works out perfect, but it's close enough.  The book ends on a positive note and all the people in the story have resolved some problems.  Life should be so good for all of us.