I finished
reading a book last night, Dogs of
dreamtime. It´s an interesting story about a woman and her relationship to
her dogs, but it´s not just another dog book. This one is different. This book
challenged me to think outside the box and not when it comes to training
animals.
The author
Karen Shanley writes about her own life using a very rich language. She´s describing
her journey to free herself from childhood and adult demons that without her
permission have nestled their way into her life. She´s living a good life with
a loving husband, a daughter, two stepsons and dogs. There are three dogs in
her life during the period described in the book. I would say that the book is
about how those “demons” of hers makes her life more complicated until she
finally is forced to find a way to deal with it. It´s about losses, love, life
and faith.
Of course
the dogs play a major part of her life. Her relationship with her dogs is very
special and she tries so hard to understand why they act in certain ways. She
reads books and consults different trainers to maximize her own understanding
for her dogs and life. I can relate to her ways of family life, work and
relationship with animals. Knowledge gives her a feeling of safety. She wants
to nurture and take care of every one, keep them safe from harm. She works on
that 24/7 until she can´t take it anymore. It´s a masterpiece. Her inner
journey made me think a lot. She describes herself as “the person in the family
with a lot of heart” and her husband as “the person with faith”. In the end she
allows herself to have more faith. The story is thrilling and she writes with a
great insight of the human mind.
When I
finished the book I wanted more! I googled the author and found out that she
have a really nice blog. I am looking forward to follow her “dog life” in the
future as well J
Whitey has become a master when it comes to finding bones in the forest! He finds new ones every day now. And he is getting bigger and bigger!!
Maria, thanks for the thoughtful review! I really appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteYour ranch is spectacular! I see we share many interests and values. I'm not yet ready to handle the amount of land you have (though I hope to someday)I do share your vision of sustainability and organic gardening. Oh, and your love of family and animals, of course! : )
Thank you Karen!I really, really enjoyed and appreciated your book. Maybe because we do have many things in common? Having a good book on the table next to me fills me with joy and happiness. To me a good book is written in a positive way, a little bit challenging to my thoughts without being difficult. Your book had all that + an interesting story :)
DeleteThank You! If you´re ever in California or feel the urge to have some spectacular wildlife experience I would love to take you for a ride on one of our horses in The Sierra Nevadas./Maria