07 Sep

What’s tan and white and love all over?

Jena Henry Blog, Charli Reads & Reviews 10 0

We will get to the story about Sam, I promise you. But first I have to tell you my own dog story.

Ever have one of those days where you woke up and thought, “We need a dog.”

Well, I have had at least one of those days in my life. I was vulnerable- my sons were in college and almost ready to launch; they were off doing their own things. Before they left the nest, I thought a dog would bring us together as a family. (Although perhaps a bird would have been better suited to my empty nest feelings?)

Whatever…I was on a mission. I clicked online and checked out the available dogs at our local county dog pound. The pound website was basic- just mug shots of the dogs. Without any darling names or enticing descriptions of adorable personalities to guide me, I looked for a “dogly-type” dog.

One dog pleased me. She was large, tannish-gold and white, and could have been a retriever or lab mix; certainly she had a friendly grin and luscious brown eyes. I texted her photo to my younger son and we decided that I would check her out and if I liked her, my son would stop by later in the day to make the final decision.

It was a Thursday. I drove to the pound, which was a well-kept building, in the country. (The proverbial “farm”.) I stopped by the front desk and asked to go back. Of course, I faced loud barks, bedlam and dogs jumping in their cages. “My” dog was as excited as all the rest, but when I spoke to her, she sat and gazed at me with sparkling eyes and a goofy grin.

One of the staff barked at me, “Oh you don’t want that one. She’s been brought back three times. She’s on the list for Saturday.” Remember when I said it was a Thursday?

Of course, “Big Goldie” was the only dog for me now. I texted my son about “our dog” and included multiple heart and smiley face emojis. He and I moved along with our plan and a few hours later my kitchen door open and a large boisterous dog bounded in, dragging my linebacker-sized son behind her. She looked much larger when I saw her now in our house. She jumped and romped with joy and excitement. My son noticed I was getting flustered, so he opted to take her out for a walk.

They scrambled and lunged out the door. My son returned 30 seconds later.

“She snapped the leash. She’s gone.”

Oakley

We stared at each other and both talked at once, gasping possible suggestions. “Go look…drive…where..” But, our worry only covered up what we knew. This was the end. We would never find her.

Our sighing and fretting was interrupted by a cheerful woof at the patio door. Again, we both lunged and scrambled to see. Sitting on our deck, smiling a delirious smile, tail wagging, was our new dog! She had come back. We opened the door to her and let her into our hearts. Yes, in the months ahead, we would launch massive training efforts that continue to this day. But in that moment, she became our dog forever.

I find it hard to capture in a photo what it is that I truly love about our Oakley. A photo is too still. You can’t experience the joy and happiness, her snuggliness, her gazes, her tail wags!

Meet Sam and Sally Cronin

You won’t be surprised to hear that I love dog stories. One of the best ones I have ever read is Sam, A Shaggy Dog Story by Sally Cronin. Beautiful prose highlights this story of Sally’s handsome collie dog, as told by Sam himself. Here is my review, followed by links to the book. I highly recommend this engaging book. And I highly, highly recommend that you visit Sally. She is an amazing friend and font of knowledge!

When I read a book, I prepare for my review of it by highlighting the parts that I will want to quote in my review, ie. the sentences that are the touchpoints, or have witty dialogue; the memorable moments, and lines that are the heart of the book. As I prepared to review Sam, I realized that I had highlighted the entire book. So many wonderful moments, funny stories, heartwarming scenes, and plenty of love are contained in this dog’s memoir.

Sam relates how he came as a young pup to live with Sally and David, in a lovely place near a beach in Ireland. Sam describes the large garden where he romps, his own splashing pool, his sun lounger, his rambles on the beach with his owners. Sam appreciates all this, but most of all he loves his pack and does his best to be a positive and helpful member of the pack. His only complaint is that he is never given enough cheese and sausages! (We hear you, Sam!)

Sam has many human and cat and dog friends. Sam and Sally’s adventures with Henry the cat, and his babies is quite amazing and touching. His Sally can speak Cat and Sam learns this language, too, along with a useful repertoire of words that he understands and words that he can say! He is also a very good listener.

Sam seems to be the typical smart, mature, only child. He is well-traveled (over 50,000 miles and several countries!) and interested and engaged in his world. As Sam writes, “There is no doubt that my pack could not do without me.” Adults, children, and worldly dogs and cats like Sam, will enjoy reading or hearing this lovely story. Highly recommend.