I bet you thought I was talking about my dog. Well of course you did. My dog, your dog, all our dogs. Loyal is a defining word for our 4-legged, tail-wagging companions. It is also the name of a touching new book just out by author Rebecca Ascher-Walsh. I was pretty amazed as well as excited when TLC Tours sent me a hot-off-the-press copy of Loyal in exchange for an honest review. No strings attached. So, here goes.
I love it. Yep. I mean, who wouldn’t love real life stories about dogs — just like many of ours — who have risen from unwanted shelter pups to heros in their own right? OK, so no one pulled a child from a burning building. What I’m talking about here is on-going, every day heroism. Not just the kind that we all need in our lives at least a little: the head in our laps when we are down, staying close when we are sick, the unconditional love. I’m talking about the kind that enables someone to continue on with life when all seemed lost. Who are these featured heroes?
There is Wyatt the Ridgeback, who detected a melanoma the doctors had missed in his soon-to-be Mom, saving her life.
There is Diamond the Lab Mix, who enabled an Afghanistan war veteran suffering from a disabling case of PTSD to resume a normal life.
There is Duke the Border Collie, who works as a team with his wheelchair-bound person to gather cattle on the pasture faster than the mounted cowboys.
In Loyal you will also read about Drago the Spinone Italiano, Zoey and Andy the Golden Retrievers, Scout the German Wirehaired Pointer, Glory the Bloodhound, Lyric the Beagle and many more.
Lucy wants to be sure I mention Roxy the Pit Bull. She said she wants to grow up to be just like Roxy: a glowing example representing her breed. She also wants me to give honorable mention to Niko the Pit Bull-Corgi Mix. He’s all hugs and licks, just like her. Oh, and he performs his magic in prisons.
Atlas the French Mastiff is Riley’s favorite since the Ri Boy also has some Dogue de Bordeaux in him. Atlas also shares Riley’s passion for children and acts as a champion for disabled children in rehab wards.
Angel Lexi wants you to know that her book is better because it is all about her. (She was never very good at sharing the spotlight.) Even so, she thinks maybe you will like this one too. After all, many of them are therapy dogs of one kind or another, just like Lexi was. Hmm, where was I? Oh yes.
Loyal is written as 38 short stories, all with beautiful color photographs. I like that it lists facts about many of the dog breeds represented, such as origin, temperament, appearance and training tips. I also like that the hardcover is illustrated the same as the beautiful dust cover. That way, when your dog chews off the dust jacket, you still have the pretty picture on the front of the book! Come on, you know it’s true.
The rest of this post is the material the publisher gave me. You can click on links to read more about Loyal and author Rebecca Ascher-Walsh, as well as to purchase it. Happy reading!
About Loyal
• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic (March 7, 2017)
This special collection of dog stories and photographs features four-legged heroes who have worked side by side with soldiers, searched the wreckage of natural and man-made disasters, changed families’ lives through emotional support, and administered aid around the world and at home in the United States. Heartwarming photographs and touching anecdotes bring to life thirty-eight caring canines who have served the people who mean the most to them, from a German Shepherd who leads a blind man on his marathon training mission to a belly rub-loving Sheltie who supports at-risk youth in the classroom. For anyone who has experienced the extraordinary affection of a dog, Loyal is a lasting celebration of the joys of canine companionship.
Purchase Links
National Geographic | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
About Rebecca Ascher-Walsh
Rebecca Ascher-Walsh is a writer who specializes in celebrity and lifestyle coverage, but who also loves dogs and telling stories about amazing animals. She contributes to many newspapers and national magazines including Entertainment Weekly, Adweek, and the Los Angeles Times. She is a volunteer at a high-kill shelter in Manhattan and a founding director of the Deja Foundation, devoted to funding the medical care and training costs of dogs rescued from high-kill shelters.
We are huge dogs fans in our house so I think all of us would enjoy this book as much as you did.
Thanks for being a part of the tour!
– Heather J @ TLC Book Tours
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Sorry, Dennis. I think that will be its own book. 🙂
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hello amy its dennis the vizsla dog oh hay wow a buk abowt the brayvery and heroism of dogs??? wuz their ennything in their abowt my ongoing battels with the ninja hedjhogs and other forses of eevil??? ok bye
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Great idea and I am sure she would like it. Although you and your continued good health are really all (mostly all?) she wants. 🙂
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Wonderful Review!! Mom and I both love dog books. Shusssh I might get this book for Mom as a gift for taking such good care of me. “Molly whispers”
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Thanks for the recommendation. I have always enjoyed pet stories. I’m a sucker for a book with a dog on the cover.
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I signed the petition.
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Sounds like a pawfect read, we’ll be checking it out1 Thanks for a wagnificent review!
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Oh, just FYI
Update.Save Capone the Dog!
An Aurora family is in danger of being split up because a local animal shelter suspects their family dog, Capone, could be distantly related to wolves.
Capone, a rescue from an Adams County Animal Shelter, has been with the family for over 10 years but officials say he could be euthanized and his family could face multiple criminal charges.
Sign here to support our neighbors, reunite the family, and keep government out of our lives.
http://www.coloradosenaterepublicans.com/save_capone_the_dog
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I used to say if you looked loyal up in the dictionary, you would find a picture of Freda, my first schnauzer. I am heading over to your site now.
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The Roxy in Loyal is a brindle like Lucy. They make wonderful companion dogs. ANd yes, this book is definitely suitable as a nice gift.
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I will add my Sweet William in the loyal bunch after he stayed with me while being attacked. We wrote about our ordeal on our blog here
https://sweetwilliamthescot.blogspot.com/ it was our second post in January which you can find on the sidebar.
Sweet William The Scot
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Great review and makes me want to read it. (Actually this one sounds like a great gift book – especially for older readers who like to read in sort bursts)
Molly says paws up! (And one of her best friends is a Roxy the huge white adorable pit bull – now we’ll have to ask how ours got her name…hmmmm…)
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Thanks!
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I’ve certainly enjoyed it. One of those books you can take in small bites and it is just as good.
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Think I will be looking for this book:) Thanks Amy!
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I agree that’s a probably the book all who love dogs will love too… and I love your fabulous review… well done!!!
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