A MUST READ book, not just for dog lovers, but for everyone.
344916
This book follows the lives of Captain Montalvan and the service dog, Tuesday, separately before and throughout their final coming together. They were two private and courageous journeys, both difficult. Captain Montalvan was a career soldier who bravely turned down an incredible promotion because he finally admits to himself that his service to his country had left him physically disabled with 3 broken vertebrae & a badly injured knee plus trauma to the brain that caused him balance, memory problems and severe PTSD. Quite an admission from a 17 year career combat soldier.
  Tuesday's journey to Captain Montalvan was not easy either. Service dog training is fascinating but almost seems cruel in not letting the dog bond to any one trainer for any length of time. This causes Tuesday to be very giving of service, but to have difficulty with attachment after 2 years of bondings and  perceived abandonment. Be ready to be fascinated with information and to come to a wonderful, incredible ending. I must admit to a 2 AM hour of gut wrenching, snotty nosed, unrestrained sobbing when Tuesday finally audibly cries out his pain for Captain Montalvan after four days and nights of sleeplessness.
  But all their pain and difficulty together (indeed many thought they were both too damaged to make it work) was the crucible for the creation of an incredible partnership and friendship of the highest order. I just found out that his book is going to be made into a major motion picture. I only hope the movie does it justice.
351001
What a wonderful journey Jean Gill takes us on, told through the eyes of a Pyrenean Mountain Dog.
It is more than a well told story, it is a training manual for a better interaction between a dog and owner, an insight to the role a dog has as the protector of the family.
In the story we see the negative effects of miscommunication and its detrimental effects on many dogs that find themselves in refuge shelters.  There were times that my emotions were moved to tears as I read of the abuse suffered by such a faithful animal called mans best friend.  It definitely is a wonderful example to bring to light the plight of animal mistreatment.
Very descriptive, well written book, even poetical at times, I could see the mountains, smell the air, and feel the emotion of Sirius, and the other dogs who came across his path, I am so glad when it all came, for him, to a mutually happy end.
This book is well worth reading for many different reasons, and especially would be a great book for anyone who has, or contemplates to have, a dog in their life.
4092684
This book is more than about a dog and his handler. It is so interesting on many other levels. The amount of research that the author has done is remarkable.  I loved this book.  The author relates so much more information than just how Rinty got his name and where the original dog was found. She describes how dogs have moved from working and living in the back yard to becoming pets because someone learned how to teach them manners. She writes about how dogs were used in wars.  There were little terriers used as cigarette dogs in WWI who brought smokes to the soldiers in the trenches. There is still a cemetery in France where American soldiers from WWI are buried that is still maintained by the US govt.  She writes about how Rinty got into the movies, how movies were made, and then further on how the TV series got started and how it was made and the politics of TV.  I highly recommend this book because of all the other fascinating bits of information it contains.
2320602
W. Bruce Cameron goes well beyond the question dog owners often wonder - "What is my dog thinking?" - in A Dog's Purpose. He compassionately takes us on a journey with the soul of a dog who lives many lives and in each life realizes his purpose.

I thought I loved and understood my dogs as much as I could before I read this book. I now look at them and think about them on a much deeper level - and for someone who considers herself very spiritual and full of wisdom, that speaks volumes. Cameron introduces the concept of dogs reincarnating - a topic people have difficulty believing in for humans, but his introduction of it in this book as being a part of each dog's purpose is very well done.

No matter what your belief in reincarnation is, Cameron seamlessly addresses it in the journey of the dog's soul that the concept becomes non-intrusive. At the end of the journey is a reflection of the one thing we all want to feel and know we're capable and deserving of - and that is Love.

I applaud Cameron's approach, obvious research, talent for writing, and have recommended A Dog's Purpose to more people than any other book I've read. I mentioned it to a lady in the coffee shop I write from, she bought it the next day and called me that night to thank me for recommending it; she can't put it down...it's just one of those books.

- Heather Hummel, Author
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<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Universe-Is-My-Sugar-Daddy/dp/0984249672/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Universe Is My Sugar Daddy</a>
1407845
They say that a dog is man's best friend.  But Charlie is a woman's best friend.  Charlie was a golden retriever rescued by Barbara and her husband, and brought into their already fur filled family.  Yet at the heart of the matter, Charlie was Barbara's dog.  He blessed her life in ways she never knew imaginable, and gave her love beyond any she had known.  He was so much more than just a pet.  When he began to have some serious health problems, she kept a journal to help her though the struggles, and to allow her to remember their magical time together.

As a serious dog lover, with two dogs of my own, I related to this book so much.  While I love both my dogs equally, I have a different relationship with each of them, and my relationship with my older dog, Dexter, sounds so much like Barbara and Charlie.  There are times when Dex looks at me, and you can just see the love in his eyes.  It brings me to tears, much like this book did.  This was not an easy book for me to read, because of all of Charlie's health issues.  It is never fun to consider the mortality of someone you love, be it a person or an animal.  We try not to think about the days our dogs will not be here, but it is the reality of having and loving a pet.  So, yeah, this book certainly brought on the waterworks.  But, it still was a worthwhile read.

Barbara and Charlie's relationship is so beautiful and special.  People who are not animal lovers or pet owners may have a hard time relating to this book, and might find it boring, but for those who have pets, or adore all kinds of animals, this book is a deeply emotional, and heartwarming read.  Barbara shares so much about her life, not just about Charlie.  We hear about her passion for her garden, and how gardening helps her cope with the stress of Charlie's illnesses.  We get an intimate view of her marriage, and we learn the stories of many of the other animals that have been and are in their lives.  This is a snapshot, unedited and unfiltered, of Barbara's life.

This book was an emotional read for sure, but it was still a pleasant book, and really positive when viewed in the correct light.  While this may not appeal to so people, to the animal loving reader, this book will certainly resonate quite deeply.
2943622
I am a dog lover but I loved so many other things about this book that had more to do with humans. The determination of Tricia to not give up,her ability to talk about her disappointments with grace and humor,her husbands support during this period in spite of his own pain,these are all lessons we can all take home with us after reading the book. The book was sad,entertaining,inspiring,humorous with a writting style that kept you captivated until the last page. Beautiful story,beautiful people,beautiful pets. This book made my day and more!
2077303
Not just for dog lovers. Provides insight into the life of dogs trained for fighting - a practice that deserves to be be outlawed. Some chapters provide the point of view of the dog as the writer imagines it. I found myself rooting for both, man and dog, and could not put the book down.
6104
I am an avid reader of all things dog, so of course when I came upon this book I reached for it instantly. I expected tears (all things dog invoke that reaction in me!),what I did not expect was a thoughtful and insightful description of one soldier's Iraq experience and to be educated on PTSD in such a way that my mind was left open and questioning. Mr. Montalvan's and Tuesday's story will move you, educate you and leave you wanting to know more about their lives and that of other PTSD sufferers.
2268072
What a totally inspiring and enjoyable book. It will appeal to dog lovers and those who have serviced their country. Not to mention plain old avid readers. I recommend this book to all, it is an easy read and keeps your interest the entire time.  I could almost feel Tuesday's hugs and see his amazing smile. You can feel the struggles and the rewards. God Bless them both.
1737121
A book that many should read.  True feelings are shared.
It is sooooo true that "dog" is man's best friend.
3750315
I loved this book. As the owner of several working dogs I was recommended this book. It takes you through every emotion and has become one of my favorite books and I have searched high and low for hard copies to give to friends as gifts.
224827
I am an animal lover, have always been a dog lover especially. I have read so many books with the main character an animal, or about other's experiences with their pets. None has ever struck a chord with me the way that this book did. I laughed, I cried, I will never look at my own dogs the same after reading this book. A must read for every dog lover out there!
1369031
One of the best books I have read in quite awhile!!! I recommend it to everyone. I love anything about dogs.
1490207
This is a beautifully written book, but it is not an easy read.  I found myself near tears through much of the book as the sweet dog struggled to find the right home and the right people to love him.  It made my hug my four (yes, you read that right) dogs even closer.  But please DO read it.  It's told from the dog's point of view and truly, I think it's spot-on.
3534602
This may be the best dog book I.have ever read. And I have read many.it taught me a lot about me and my relationships with my many dogs,and of course I cried through a lot of it.of you love dogs and wish you knew what they were thinking,and are not afraid to cry and remember,you will appreciate this book.
55609
This is more than "just another dog book".  There is so much more about Dr. Vogelsangs life, emotions, and relationships, human and canine, that make this such an interesting story.  She writes in such a personal way that it almost feels like she is telling the reader the story, personally, and only to that reader.

Granted, the central characters in the book are her dogs, but there is so much more than that in here.  She is open and honest about many things, which gives the reader the sense that we are being asked into her life.  Being with her and watching her grow up through the years, I found myself rooting for her to not only to be successful, but to get everything she ever wanted.

She shares equal parts humor and honesty and does so with great conviction.
3310068
I loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone who loves their  animals.  Besides being wonderfully written, it lets the reader know that  there are other people out there who truly cherish their animals as part of  the family.  It also lets people know that the grief they feel when losing  a pet is very real and should not be minimized.  This book will be kept on  my shelf and reread often.