Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: diversity

  • Life on the Leash A novel

    Life on the Leash A novel

    With the long hot days of summer holidays approaching, this is the ideal book to read. Light and interesting, it takes us into the world of a dog trainer. Cora has always had a passion for animals and after a successful career in IT, she has decided to follow her love and help dog owners with their problem pets. The fact that she is a young attractive and gentle woman gets her into some predicaments, but as always, her first consideration is the animals around her.

     Cora has established a client base which keeps her busy, and word of her successes has spread, so she is constantly booking new clients. The interesting diversity of people and dogs, and their problems, needs all of Cora’s learning and skills to stay on top of the issues. She is always gentle and patient though, and often it is the human owners who have the most learning to do. As Cora is single, and only works in raggy jeans and holey unicorn socks, the relationship she is looking for with a man, seems unlikely.

    Along with her daily challenges, the dog trainer has a disgust of a television dog handler, Boris Ershovich, who is rough, and uses choke collars and shock collars to train dogs. At this stage, Cora is invited to audition for a dog handling segment on TV. Her methods would be directly opposite those of Boris and her patience and love (and treats) would change the dynamics of dog obedience. Many people think that Boris’ methods of mastering and controlling animals by fear is appropriate.

    The young woman has such a lot on her plate. Relationships with dogs as well as their owners takes time, and sometimes signals are misread. A couple of romantic liaisons occur, and after having been in a difficult relationship in the past, Cora is not sure of the sincerity of either man. Her dynamic flatmate Maggie is a great help and has sage advice while keeping up the spirits of her friend and their two dogs.

    As the author is a dog trainer and speaker, this lends an air of authenticity to the story and shows a wide range of issues which could face a worker in this industry. She has many simple tricks to pass on but the most overriding necessity is for the dog owner to want and love their pet.

     

     

  • Reena’s Rainbow

    Reena’s Rainbow

    A beautiful story about fitting in and being accepted has been woven thought the clear, seeing eyes of Reena, who is deaf and a little brown dog at the park, that does not appear to have a home.

    When Reena goes to play at the park she is always the best at hide and seek. Her clear, seeing eyes always spot the other children when they hiding. She is the best. But when it is her turn to hide she is so successful they cannot find her. She does not hear them calling or hear them leave the park. Suddenly she finds she is all alone.

    The little brown dog comes up to comfort her until Reena’s mother comes to find her. On their next visit to the park both Reena and the little brown dog save Thomas from becoming seriously hurt, which is when the other children discover that although she and her new, beloved, best friend little brown dog, might be different, they too are also special. That is also when Reena begins to understand, that she and little brown dog, are also a part of the rainbow Reena’s mother is always talking about.

    Dee White along with the colourful and descriptive illustrations from Tracie Grimwood offer a comfortable basis from which to discuss with your children, or a class group, that everyone is special, regardless of their disabilities, underwriting this with the message that true friends, no matter who they are, will always accept and love you for who you are, and not what you are.

    Reena’s Rainbow is a heart-warming story about love, diversity, friendship and acceptance, which will resonate with children young and old which will also make a good introduction to the many different and diverse people to be found in today’s  world.