Dear Kilroy: A Dog to Guide Us (Capital Discoveries Book)
Editorial Reviews
Suzanne Mantell, Publishers Weekly
"Nora Vitz Harrison...chronicles inspirational true stories via the 'canine correspondence' between Kilroy and Riley."
Review
"And pooches become writers in a September Capital Books release - in 'Dear Kilroy: A Dog to Guide Us,' Nora Vitz Harrison, a volunteer puppy-raising leader for Guide Dogs for the Blind, chronicles inspirational true stories via the "canine correspondence" between Kilroy and Riley."
Publishers Weekly
"Every year, more than 900 puppies are born in the Guide Dogs for the Blind breeding program. Only about 38 percent of them complete training and become working 'seeing eye' dogs. However, the remaining 62 percent, adopted into loving homes, often touch lives in ways not planned by their breeders. The author, a longtime puppy raiser for Guide Dogs and a volunteer for humane societies in California, tells how one such 'change of career' pup, Kilroy, came into her sister's life at a time when she most needed the protection and unconditional love that a dog can give. Harrison also recounts examples of how working guide dogs change the lives of the blind people whose safety and independence are entrusted to them. Finally, she tells the story of the shelter dog whose presence helped her father to cope with loss and move on with his life. Harrison accomplishes her goal in brief anecdotes and funny, heartwarming, imaginary correspondence between Kilroy and her own dog. Recommended (with a tissue alert) for public libraries"
Library Journal
"...'Dear Kilroy' introduces readers to the ways guide puppies in training and their puppy raisers interact. Author Nora Vitz Harrison, herself a puppy raiser who provides a loving home and basic training skills to potential service dogs during their early life, draws upon firsthand knowledge in this warm and wise volume.
While Harrison's book examines the puppy raising work in which she is involved, 'Dear Kilroy' is not exclusively about this subject. Its overall theme, about the love between dogs and their humans and the ways that bond can help us grow and learn, is at the core of the author's message. The dogs she profiles and the lessons they teach will linger in readers' memories long after they close the book."
Sally Rosenthal, Best Friends Magazine, January/ February 2004
"This great little book offers a great many things: part diary, part photo album, part letter exchange between two canine correspondents, and part true-life adventures of both the four-legged and two-legged variety. The author, a longtime puppy raiser and volunteer for Guide Dogs for the Blind...has done a lovely job of interweaving all of these elements to create an engaging, educational, inspiring and deeply moving book. Readers will quickly learn not only what is involved in becoming a puppy raiser but why working with animals who are dedicated to work with humans is so magically transforming."
Alaska Wellness, May/ June 2004
"Here's a charming little book that will be ideal for anyone who loves dogs. Harrison, a longtime volunteer for Guide Dogs for the Blind who lives in Southern Oregon, relates stories about some of the dogs that have made a mark on her life through their loyalty, devotion and hard work. In anecdotes that are sometimes touching, sometimes humorous, Harrison shows that not all dogs have to be as well trained and successful as guide dogs to make a positive impact on someone's life."
John Ginn, Albany (OR) Democrat-Herald, Gift Guide, December 2003 & Corvallis (OR) Gazette-Times
"The book is a celebration of the ties between man and dog. Scattered throughout the 6-by-6-inch, 192-page hardcover are photos and stories of dogs and their owners, many of them originating in Douglas County.... Reminisces of her late mother's battle with Alzheimer's disease are among the book's most emotional passages. Nora visits her mother with Riley as her mother's memory begins to fail, and she no longer recognizes her daughter or the dog. Harrison's father, Martin Vitz of Roseburg, is also the subject of a chapter. His adoption of a miniature American Eskimo dog, Jesse, helped him through his wife's death and turned him into a dog lover."
Nik Dirga, The News-Review, September 7, 2003
"'Dear Kilroy: A Dog to Guide Us' is Nora Vitz Harrison's unusual book about Kilroy and Riley, two dogs who correspond with each other. The book also contains essays on the ties between people and their canine friends....A touching chapter tells about Riley's loss of an eye and how the dog became accepting of his fate."
Oklahoman, August 17, 2003
"An endearing exchange of letters between her dog, Riley, and her sister's dog, Kilroy, discuss life from a dog's point of view....Through letters between the two, the author offers insight into the plight of dogs in overcrowded shelters who have to be put down when no one comes to adopt them. She discusses, too, the tragically short lives of dogs from 'puppy mills' whose in-breeding causes severe, painful health problems and early deaths....There are many photos in this sweet book that would make a cheerful gift or be fine for reading to a shut-in."
Helen Roser, Manhattan (KS) Mercury, November 16, 2003
"This book is designed for dog lovers that include delightful photos and true-life stories that follow a few special dogs and the human lives they change."
Waterloo and Cedar Falls Libraries, October 24, 2003
"'Dear Kilroy' by Nora Harrison reminds us that some of the best teachers in this world have four legs and bark. The author weaves the humor of Kilroy and Riley, two canine correspondents, on the magical relationship between people and dogs. These true-life stories follow a few special dogs and the human lives they change. Even if you have never been owned by a dog, you will be moved by this joyful yet bittersweet guide to life."
Marie Bruni, The Daily Star (Odeonta, NY), December 11, 2003
"Short essays and correspondence between dog cousins Kilroy and Riley contain advice for humans."
Connections (newsletter for Lawrence, KS library), December 2003
"'Dear Kilroy' is a collection of inspirational stories and photographs that celebrate the canine-human bond....makes a great gift for animal lovers."
PawPrints Newsletter, Summer 2003
"This book is a reminder of the invaluable service, richness, and joy dogs bring to our lives. May we learn to love them as unconditionally as they love us."
Kay Allenbaugh, author of Chocolate for Woman's Soul series
"As the dogs in Dear Kilroy strive to achieve their potential - whether to become a guide for the blind or to be the best, most-trusted pet of someone in need - they teach us how to be better human beings."
Bob Phillips, CEO for Guide Dogs the for the Blind
Dear Kilroy: A Dog to Guide Us (Capital Discoveries Book)
Dear Kilroy: A Dog to Guide Us (Capital Ideas),Nora Vitz Harrison,Capital Books,1931868395,Anecdotes,Dog owners,Dogs,Dogs - General,Harrison, Nora Vitz,Human-animal relationships,Life Sciences - Zoology - General,Motivational & Inspirational,Oregon,Pets,Pets / General
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