Found: Fantasy Novel possibly by Mercedes Lackey

I have memories of scenes from a book where a child with a magical ability spends too much of their time with dogs. To the point the adults around them are worried the child will go a bit odd/feral if they don't separate them before the kid gets older.

I feel like it was a book by Mercedes Lackey, but I can't remember anything else to try to look it up. I can't even really remember what the magical ability was, but I feel like it was related to understanding the dogs. Like being able to communicate with them.

-Possible ending spoiler-

I think the kid was convinced the dog they were closest to died (which was encouraged by the adults trying to separate them), but later as an adult they ran into the dog living somewhere comfortably and realize they were lied to.

As always, hope I'm not conflating multiple stories. >.> Thanks for reading.

The Farseer Trilogy starting with The Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb fits your description.

"I think the kid was convinced the dog they were closest to died (which was encouraged by the adults trying to separate them), but later as an adult they ran into the dog living somewhere comfortably and realize they were lied to."

Just in case you recognise some names The dog's name was Nosey; the boy was Fitz and the adult involved was Burrich

>2 calm:

Thank you! This seems like the correct book. I would never have found it cause my brain was stuck on it being Mercedes Lackey. I guess I just thought, animal companion, must be Lackey. xD

Happy to help. I'm sure we have all thought that a book was by a particular author but can't find it :)

touchstone: The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb