PetTales: Pillow with a Heartbeat, a Poodle’s Memoir
This little purple book is bound with a magnetic-clasping dog collar, from which dangles an engraved Truffles heart-shaped identification tag. An appropriate gift for dog-lovers of all ages, Pillow with a Heartbeat is a dog's life from Truffles' eye-view. He is a happy, grateful guy, but there were times in his life that will bring a tear to the eye of the reader.
Truffles' descriptions of life in a puppy warehouse, his grief when his best friend is adopted and he stays behind, his reaction to the death of other puppies, and his sorrow when he thought he would be adopted and wasn't, all tug at the heartstrings.
If those experiences weren't enough, shortly after his adoption, Truffles developed pneumonia and--due to poor medical care provided by a veterinarian--nearly died. Fortunately, his new mama found an emergency veterinary clinic where the doctors actually listened to the patients and their humans, and a life was saved.
Truffles recounts happy events, too. He made new friends, was accepted by his peers, and enjoyed a very happy reunion.
Readers will enjoy this dog story, but will also be reminded of important issues, such as the neglect puppies suffer when they are warehoused, waiting to be sold. We learn to think from our hearts when it comes to our furry companions, and when a vet seems uncaring or the vet's advice is dubious, its time to find another vet. Pillow with a Heartbeat illustrates how much difference a dog (or other pet) can make in a person's life, and how quickly pets become family.
Truffles went on to become a therapy dog. Aren't all dogs therapy dogs? My two are--they're cheaper than psychotherapy or retail therapy, and they provide quicker, longer-lasting relief. Truffles actually went through training to be certified a therapy dog, and provides company and comfort to humans who desperately need it, particularly children with cancer.
Pillow with a Heartbeat is a memoir with heart; experience Truffles' ups and downs (and up-agains) through his own account of life's regular-though-unpredictable twists and turns. Its small size makes it an ideal stocking-stuffer or grab-bag goodie, although it is an appropriate gift for any day, holiday or not.
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