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A review by knod78
Hope - How Street Dogs Taught Me the Meaning of Life: Featuring Rodney, Mcmuffin and King Whacker by Niall Harbison
5.0
I used to be a person who bought Labrodor Retreiver bred dogs, because well, I didn't know any better. I was a cat person until I met my ex husband, and now I'm one of those weird people who is a cat and a dog person. But you hang around my friend, Caroline long enough, that attitude changes. In fact, she's the one who bought me this book for Christmas. She's our Houston crusader on a mission to get animals sterilized in Houston, and I've even volunteered at a spay/neuter event and went to a few of her fundraiser events. She was the person I called when some asshole dumped three small dogs in a cage in the park by my house. I'm happy to say they were adopted. This all coupled with seeing lots of strays in our area makes you change your mind. My last two dogs were adopted from shelters, and I will never buy another bred dog unless it ends up in a shelter, which as this books shows, happens. Although, all of my cats throughout history, included the fluffy terrorist next to me snoring have all been picked up from the streets (or my front yard).
Now, on to the book.
I teared up a lot reading this book when you read what happens. He only focuses on dogs, which I know there probably is an issue with cats, too. But one thing at a time. I love the way he talks about his own journey, which was rough. I love that he relates dogs experiences before and after he finds them as they relate to life lessons of humans. Although, he had two dogs with similar life lessons and that they were the favorites/more like his own journey. I love how the book shows how he adapted from just feeding them to a more responsible approach of getting them sterilized. I loved that he shows the other side of the argument on why some homeowners would be upset with him feeding stray dogs by their house, and that he shows he wasn't the first person to take this project on. He acknowledges that he only got famous quicker than they did. I will say he repeats information some times, and he really needs an index with the dog names. I did get confused of which was which.
Anyways. Please read this book, especially if you are considering getting a dog (or a cat). I will say that the author talks about stray animals without shaming you for buying a bred dog; he wants you the reader to see a different option. He also shows the kindness of people, and doing great things in the world to make our planet just that much better. And thanks to Caroline for making me think differently on the stray animal issue, and buying me this book.
Now, on to the book.
I teared up a lot reading this book when you read what happens. He only focuses on dogs, which I know there probably is an issue with cats, too. But one thing at a time. I love the way he talks about his own journey, which was rough. I love that he relates dogs experiences before and after he finds them as they relate to life lessons of humans. Although, he had two dogs with similar life lessons and that they were the favorites/more like his own journey. I love how the book shows how he adapted from just feeding them to a more responsible approach of getting them sterilized. I loved that he shows the other side of the argument on why some homeowners would be upset with him feeding stray dogs by their house, and that he shows he wasn't the first person to take this project on. He acknowledges that he only got famous quicker than they did. I will say he repeats information some times, and he really needs an index with the dog names. I did get confused of which was which.
Anyways. Please read this book, especially if you are considering getting a dog (or a cat). I will say that the author talks about stray animals without shaming you for buying a bred dog; he wants you the reader to see a different option. He also shows the kindness of people, and doing great things in the world to make our planet just that much better. And thanks to Caroline for making me think differently on the stray animal issue, and buying me this book.