Peeking Between the Pages

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Book Review: Huck by Janet Elder & Giveaway

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Huck: The Remarkable True Story of How One Lost Puppy Taught a Family — and a Whole Town — About Hope and Happy Endings has got to be one of the best memoirs I’ve ever read. Since losing Buddy I shy away from stories having to do with dogs but two things made me pick this book up and that was the ‘oh so cute puppy on the front’ and the fact that it said ‘happy endings’. This novel renews your faith in the goodness of people and after reading it you come away with a sense of hope and happiness. I am so glad to have read it!

Janet’s son Michael had been on a mission to get a puppy from a very young age and he was relentless in his pursuit. However, both Janet and her husband Rich were both really busy and living in a New York apartment and they just didn’t have the time to care for a pet. The years passed but Michael’s love for animals and his desire for a dog never went away. Then Janet receives awful news – she has breast cancer. Her main worry is what this will do to Michael and she and Rich decide that they will let Michael get a puppy after Janet gets through her chemo and radiation treatments. This promise acts as a light at the end of the tunnel for all of them.

Finally the time comes for them to choose a dog. Michael has always adored the toy poodle living above them and as fate would have it, he ends up with that dog’s brother. He names him Huck and very quickly Huck becomes a cherished member of the family. After getting through the treatments and such the family decides to reward themselves with a vacation and they plan on leaving Huck with Janet’s sister and her family. They leave although they really have some inkling of not really wanting to leave Huck but they know he is safe where he is. Unfortunately Huck manages to squeeze through a fence and gets away. Janet, Rich, and Michael rush back from their holiday and the race to find Huck begins.

Along the way in their search for Huck they meet so many wonderful people; people who were willing to give up their time and energy to help look for Huck. Rich is one of those people who believes in the goodness of people but even he was overwhelmed with how much people cared. Really I’m not though as anyone who loves or has pets can only imagine the horrible feeling that would come from losing one and want to help. At least I sure would. Flyers went up and school kids put flyers up at their schools. People would call with sightings of Huck and finally it was one of those calls that led to them finding Huck.

Everyone knows how much I love dogs. I believe that they can heal our hearts and make our days so much better. They love unconditionally and with everything they’ve got. They are a precious gift. Huck helped his family to heal from a traumatic illness by just being himself. In getting lost he managed to bring a lot of people together and gave everyone such hope in the goodness of the people all around us when we least expect it.

This is my favorite passage. It reminds us of how truly special pets are and how much our lives are enriched by them…

‘Huck has brought unparalleled joy into all our lives and is a constant reminder of the simple virtues that matter most in life — loyalty, humour, patience, companionship, and unconditional love. He is also a reminder that joy may be just around the corner.’ (pg 295)

Any of you who love dogs and like a story that is hopeful and makes you feel good in the end – this is the one. I won’t lie though; I cried more than a few tears while Huck was missing. I have to say though that this story made my heart feel good and that to me makes a good book. I would recommend this book in an instant!

Be sure to visit the website set up for Huck. There are some cute pictures and videos there. You can pick up your own copy of Huck by Janet Elder here in the US and here in Canada.

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I’m excited to have 3 copies of Huck by Janet Elder to give away to my readers. To enter…

  • For 1 entry simply leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
  • For 2 entries, follow my blog.  If you already do, thank you, and please let me know in your comment so I can pass the extra entry on to you as well.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway and spread the word.

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winners on Saturday, December 17/11.  Good luck everyone!

Source: A copy was provided to me for review from the publisher. No compensation was received for this review and all opinions are my own.

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Comments

  6. 🙂 This looks like a wonderful story. Dogs have a lot to teach us. I have a weenie dog named Daisy – she’s sleeping on her back right now next to me snoring…but at a moment’s notice I would have a mighty protector 🙂

    Count me in!

  8. Huck is so cute! He looks like a stuffed animal! I’d love to win and read this book!

    Thank you for this wonderful giveaway!
    I’m a GFC follower of your blog!

    Aimala127(at)gmail(dot)com

  9. I have this one, and have hesitated reading it because I usually hate the way that animal stories end. But you have given me renewed hope in this book, and now I want to check it out! Huck is so adorable as well. He looks like a cuddly little carmel lamb! Great review today, Dar!

  13. Wonderful review, Dar. I loved this book too.

    Hugs to you and little Sammy. I hope you have a great week.

  15. I, too, would have passed on this book but your review has made it a must read!
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

  24. Glad to hear it had a happy ending!! And I do think the love of a dog is powerful and amazing thing. Since getting Romeo, I’ve never felt so loved or adored or just plain needed!

  31. I love this review, and the book sounds excellent and sweet. I can’t wait to read this. Thanks for the giveaway

    faefever25 at hotmail dot com

    I am a follower or emails subscriber

  34. Animal stories are always my first choice as a read. This one sounds amazing and I cannot wait to read it.

  35. As a lifelong dog lover/owner, I’d love to read this!
    Thanks for the giveaway –
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

  51. I stay away from dog stories because I can’t bear the idea of anything happening to the dogs. But your review has reassured me that everything will be fine. I’d love to win this one.

  52. I can’t pass up a book with a dog….
    Enter me Dar please.

    I follow you email.

    cjay (at) iavalley (dot) edu

  62. I have wanted to read this book ever since it came out! It sounds so good! Thanks for the chance.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net