Bark up the Right Tree, Lessons from a Rescued Dog by Jessie & Ruth Tschudin is a delightful read and an important one. Now, I’ll start off by saying that the narrator of this story is none other than Jessie, a 7-yr old Labrador Retriever mix along with help from his mommy, Ruth. Jessie was thankfully rescued by Ruth’s family after being hurt by a member of her original lifelong family. My heart broke reading this. I can’t imagine hurting a pet no matter what the circumstances are. I am always left hurting for abandoned pets who have been with a family for a long time. What must they feel? Immense confusion and sadness. I can hear them thinking, what has happened to my family? Why don’t they love me anymore?
So Jessie is rescued. She goes from having nothing in the shelter and sick to belonging and being cared for by a wonderful family. I can’t tell you how this warmed my heart. The real fun of this story is hearing of Jessie discovering all the things that make a dog’s life great and also some of the thoughts that they have about us humans along the way. This book is suited for anyone, it would be great to read with your kids. It’s quite short so you can sit down and enjoy it in an evening. Once I started reading it, being the dog lover that I am, couldn’t put it down. I found myself feeling sad at times and joyful at others. What’s unique is also the way that Ruth ends up finding Jessie but you’ll have to read the book to find out that interesting little tidbit. There’s pictures at the end of Jessie and all her friends that are just wonderful and I have to mention the cover which I love. The heart up in the tree says it all.
A lot of people out there always want a puppy but you know an older dog is just as amazing, if not more so. My little guy, Buddy, is 7-yrs old and he’s just a bundle of never ending energy and love for me. There are so many pets in need of a good home. If I had the funds I’d certainly have more of the little critters running around my home. They bring such immense joy and yet ask for little~food, treats, play time and lots and lots of love. Take for instance, Jessie, she’s now the “poster girl” for a Kids ‘n’ Kritters campaign and she’s starting to visit people in a nursing home. She’s also going to be a ‘reading dog’ in a school or library for kids to read to. It’s just amazing when you think that someone was willing to give up this precious soul.
Some things I found cute is that Ruth gave Jessie a middle name. The reason I found it cute is because Buddy has one too. I call him Buddy Joe and people think I’m nuts. Who gives a middle name to their dog? Well, quite obviously Ruth is with me on this one and did too! This book is full of little things that Jessie does that anyone as a pet lover will certainly recognize. I like when Jessie thinks to herself that she’s indulging us humans by going along with whatever it is we want or growling when a thief (her daddy) is trying to steal her bones.
This book is well worth the read for so many reasons. One being that ten percent of all proceeds from the sale of this book will go to help animals and children in need of homes. That reason alone should make people want to pick themselves up a copy. Other than that very important reason is just because this story will grab your heart and not let go. I fell in love with Jessie from the first page and am glad to know she’s doing so well and being so loved.
You can buy Bark up the Right Tree here in the US and here in Canada. Go ahead, you’ll be glad you did!
Other blog reviews can be found at… So Many Precious Books, So Little Time
I am a passionate lover of animals. Every pet we’ve ever owned (even the guinea pig) has come from a rescue shelter. I will most certainly get this to read to the kids. We have dog sadness in our house. We lost our lab five years ago and really want to get another one, but already have four cats and the pig.
No you aren’t crazy. All of our animals have middle names!
I love books about dogs. I have 2 dogs, one of them being a rescue. My rescue is also a wonderful Therapy Dog. I will have to read this book.
My pug has a middle name, too. Bella Leigh. 🙂 You aren’t crazy, unless I am… 😉
This book sounds fantastic! I will definitely pick it up and put it on my TBR list. 🙂 Thanks for your review!
I need to give Emmy a middle name! Any suggestions? 😉
I think puppies are over-rated!! More people need to adopt from the local shelters and quit buying designer dogs!! Great Review Dar and it totally makes me want to read it especially because it is from the view of the dog. I just finished Laika and that one broke my heart!
I have a black labrador and he is getting quite old now, but he really is a character and a much loved member of the family. He loves to be hugged and cuddled, he is a bit partial to a custard cream and a nice cup of tea too.
I like the sound of this book,although I couldn’t finish Marley and Me because I knew it would be sad at the end!
Oh I’m so glad you enjoyed this book! I just received a review copy on Friday and cannot wait to get started. I’m a huge supporter of shelter/rescue dogs and I think this book is a terrific way of revealing that the dogs at the shelters/rescue organizations are just as amazing (if not more) than the purebreds or pet-shop ones. It’s always broken my heart to hear people saying that shelter animals are the toss-aways or leftovers 🙁
This sounds like a really great read Dar! It will definitely have to go on my TBR list so thanks for the great review.
We were family to a collie when I was a kid; he had a middle name, “Laddie Boy”, but we usually just called him Laddie.
Oh, I’ve definitely got to get this book! We don’t have dogs anymore but did for many years. Our first, a St. Bernard, had a middle name, too: Molley Beans.
Happy reading!
Oh, thanks for your comment on my poetry blog, too! I know what you mean about lurking; sometimes it’s just easier and quicker. I do it all the time. Once in a while I’ll leave a comment and the people really appreciate it and I do, too!
Anyone that has rescued an animal knows that they truly do appreciate their new home. I’ve seen it many times in their eyes. It’s as if they don’t want it to ever go away. Breaks my heart.
Thanks for all your comments everyone. I’m so behind with comments. I hope you do all get a chance to read this book. It really is good. I agree that rescue dogs aren’t throw aways. I can’t imagine how people could think that. All animals have love to give, that’s what they do best. I wouldn’t trade my guy in for anything and I hope we’ll be together till we’re both old.
My dream would be to someday have enough money and good enough health to open up a rescue shelter of my own. I think it would be so rewarding.
Holy Cow! You changed your blog up again. Had to double check to see if I was at the right blog…lol!
Sounds like a quite one–is it a young adult novel? And I love that Buddy has a middle name. Neither of my pets do, but I just might give them new middle names now! 🙂
Dar, your review touched my heart! I had a Labrador retriever we rescued (when she was 2 yrs old) and was part of our family for 4 years. She found an equally loving home when we moved out of the country. Pets touch my heart and its unimaginable to me how anyone can harm them. Sounds like a great read!
My daughters gave Bailey a middle name, lol. They call her Bailey Ann. Makes me laugh anytime I hear it or think of it.
Dar, I read more of Knit Two this afternoon and it IS picking up for me. Thanks for encouraging me : )
What a great book and a great review. I love both of my rescue dogs very very much!
Great review, Dar! I have this one to read and review also, and can’t wait!
what a great review…a trend that continues in the publishing world…books with animal narrators.
I also rescued my dog, and my heart just breaks when I read these kinds of stories. The next time we adopt a dog, it will probably be an older one also. Good review Dar.
this sounds like a great read.
how cute you gave Buddy a middle name…why not?
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This would probably make me cry as I can’t stand to hear about defenseless animals and people being abused. It wouldn’t surprise me if I loved it though!
My mom bought a Chihuahua and she named him Denver Dusty but he ended up being called Ducky or Ducky-mo. It also ended up being my dog lol.
Awesome review Dar. I should be reading this soon.
Trish, I think this book is good for all ages. Buddy had a middle name almost from the start. lol.
Goms, thank you.
Mary, I think that’s cute-Bailey Ann. I’m glad you finished Knit Two and liked it.
Luanne, April and Serena—thanks.
Jenny, Buddy was my first dog. When I got him I hadn’t really thought about shelter dogs although I do now.
Naida, you’ll have to give Diego a middle name now. lol.
Tink, this is an easy book to read. It is sad in a way that you think of all these homeless dogs-that part bothers me.
Teddy, thanks. I look forward to your review.
This sounds like an endearing book, and I bet my daughter would like it. When Serena and I got our dog (he’s hers now; she got the dog child and I got the human child LOL), we gave him a middle name AND a last name. LOL
–Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
Anna, now this one I still have on my shelf. I’d be happy to send it to you and The Girl to read. I’ll send you a separate email.