What is Cleo's importance in the novel, The Next Person You Meet in Heaven?

Of all the dogs at the animal shelter, Annie is attracted to Cleo because of her scar. Annie sees something of herself in Cleo and they are able to bond emotionally because of their respective marks. Cleo's scar also affirms her emotional presence in Annie's life, as Annie finally has a living companion she can have an emotional relationship with since she cannot with her mother.