Once again, I found myself reading a dog-related book on my commute. I enjoyed this book - a story about a woman who is separated from her dog on a cross-country excursion, and the couple who finds him. The woman goes to lengths to find him, while re-living her journey which made her the dog lover she is today. The couple, suffering from an unimaginable recent loss, finds their pain being eased and their lives once more bearable because of their love for their new friend.
This book is not sad, it did not make me cry, and a random stranger on my commute did not have to give me a tissue like the last time. It was slightly predictable. Did it pass my time on the train? Sure. Was it an easy read? Yes. Did I learn something about Shelties? Of course. Would I recommend it to any of you? Only if you happen to see it and know you need something to kill a few hours of your day. I enjoyed it, but I did not love it.
The main thing I want to say about this book though is that the dog kind of forgets his previous owner over time, a month perhaps, if that. He remembers there is someone else he is looking for and somewhere else he is supposed to be, but he can't remember what specifically. I recognize this book is a work of fiction, but this concept, upon some minor reflection, made me unbelievably upset, and I wondered if when I left Finn for a couple of weeks when I went on vacation, she forgot to remember me too. What do you think about that?
We are the sulky type of doglet when left for too long so it seldom happens. Have a fantastic Friday Finn.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Molly
Oh I cannot believe for a second that Finn would forget you after a couple of weeks... I bet her tail would fly off with all the wagging on your return :-)
ReplyDeleteThat does sound like a great book. I think I might have it but just haven't read it yet. If not, we sure will see about getting it. I love animal books. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThat's a scary thought! I don't think dogs forget - look at how happy dogs are when their soldier's come home from their tour of duty, like this:
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/SAbCyA2rbxM
or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3symtHjQLNw
Gotta love them!
Sam
That sounds sad :(
ReplyDeleteMommy's read a book called "Sophie", you've probably read about her, the one where she goes overboard and everything...
Woofs
Cotton
A sad book? I don't know about that....I will check it out however....thanks for letting us know about this! Enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteUgh, that writer obviously never had a dog!! I would NEVER furget my momma. Doggies are adaptable, but we don't furget the people who love us. Momma has come across her old foster dogs who have been in new homes for a year or more, and they still obviously remembered her and were super-excited to see her.
ReplyDeleteGeesh, that makes me sad to think about it. I think dogs remember longer than that. After all, the dog in A Dog's Purpose remembered from life to life for pity's sake!!!
ReplyDeleteFinn's Mom....
ReplyDeleteHmmm. This book sounds sad to me!! But then, I have not read it, and everybody's opinions vary!! ;)
Now, the part about Finn forgetting you when you're away on vacation, I disagree with. Strongly. Would you like to hear my immediate thought regarding this concept? Okay.
"Uh, two letters. BS.".
Finn will never forget you!! Never.
Love, Raelyn.... And Rose, my BEAUTIFULLY UNIQUE "Mystery Dog"!!
I don't think finn would forget you. If she is anything like our golden retrievers, she'd be happy with whoever you left her with, but still waiting for your return. There have been a few times when my husband saw Aspen and Canyon sitting on the couch watching for us to come home. It made me wonder how long they had been there and made me feel really guilty for staying out for so long.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad, but I think that no matter what happens to them, dogs remember their families and love them unconditionally (even when the family doesn't deserve the love).
Brooke & the ruled by paws gang (who can now be found at http://www.ruledbypaws.ca)
Very good question Finn's Mom!! In general, I think dogs are more people/owner oriented. Of course any animal responds to whomever is feeding it. But if they have been with their owners long enough they have a bond that is not broken no matter what. We were first owned by a might mini Dachshund, Toto. When he was about 5 years old, he was kenneled for 11 days while we were in Hawaii. Upon return we were all eager to pick him up. He left pee mail on every blade of grass at the kennel and at our home before we took him inside. As soon as I took the leash off, I turned my back. He barked to get my attention, when I turned around he stared straight into my eyes, lifted his leg and peed a flood on my kitchen floor!! A FLOOD!! So in my humble opinion as a one time dog owner they don't get mad at you for leaving but they do get revenge!! Toto lived with us for 11 years. He filled our life with joy and stories that are still told 37 years later. He was the true definition of dynamite in a small package.
ReplyDeleteIn 2005 we left Madi for 11 days. A sitter came in once a day. Nothing about Madi's routine changed. When we returned she greeted us at the door just like we had been gone for a few hours. The secret is she stayed in her environment.
Hugs Madi's Mom...
I don't think Finn or any beloved pet would forget the one(s) they love after a few weeks or a month. Perhaps as time goes by, the memories would start to fade... but that would be years. I remember the story of the guy who had a relationship with lions, and years later they filmed him seeing them again ... and they clearly did remember him and missed him.
ReplyDeleteI really think pets remember us better then scientist think they do. Bo was in Japan for a month and Scylla & Charybdis still remembered him when he came home.
ReplyDeleteAnd I didn't take Fenris walking for several months and he still remembered my friend Tammy. In fact when I said her name he knew we were going walking in town and to get in the car. ~Alasandra
Mom was wondering the other day whether I would remember her. I am sure I must remember her. Maybe not her specifically but her love.
ReplyDeleteYour friends,
Murphy & Stanley
I don't think Finn or any of our furchildren would forget us after a couple of weeks. Especially when they've been with us for some time.
ReplyDeleteI know for a fact that I wouldn't forget Domeek if she went away for a while (which would never happen ;-P) But if you look at the videos of kids coming home from college or military people coming home after serving a long time, their dogs definitely don't forget them. They flip out that they are home! That'll show you that Finn definitely wouldn't forget you! We're smarter than people give us credit for! :-)
ReplyDeleteI've never left my boys except overnight on a couple of occassions when it couldn't be helped. But I'd certainly hope they wouldn't forget me in a month's time! I'm the only mama Shiver has ever known(with the exception of his birth mother, of course!) and he gets upset easily.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think dogs remember people for a very long time! For one reason, smells are very strong memory triggers (even for humans) and there's nothing a dog does better than smell stuff. So even if they haven't seen you in a long time, they will remember you by your scent.
ReplyDeleteI think it would really depend on the dog. Some I think would never recover from losing their human, others would move on pretty quick. I think it has a lot to do with breed, genetics, personality--there are your "one person" dogs and your fickle dogs who love everyone.
ReplyDeleteI have to believe its not too hard for dogs to adjust to a new person, otherwise this foster business would be way too devastating!
I raised a Labrador Retriever for a seeing eye group, who then went into training for guiding. She graduated and was given to a blind girl. Eight years later she was retired, for reasons I never knew, and they asked if I would like her back. Of course! Once she got the tiniest of a whiff of me, she absolutely exploded with joy! She remembered us well! And, we still had two dogs that she was raised with, and they all remembered each other! The nose knows!
ReplyDeleteSounds like another book to add to the list.
ReplyDeleteXXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy
Ooo, I will definitely check it out! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a nice easy read. Thanks for the review. I don't think our dogs would forget us really. Just check out some You Tube videos of dogs reunited with their owners after long separations. Maybe it depends on personality of the dog. I think Stella would adjust to another family but I think Rory would totally freak out (he is a total mum's boy). Who knows. No worries, and love, Carol (and Stella and Rory
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a wonderful read but I can't imagine a loved furmember of your family forgetting you so quickly.
ReplyDeleteLove ya lots,
Mitch and Molly
No they don't forget. Not after a month at least. Since we have left each of our three dogs with trainers (Storm for 8 weeks and we did not see her all that long time), I can say for sure that they do not forget.
ReplyDeleteThey don't forget!
ReplyDeleteNola
Oh and Finn, come on over to my blog, I have a surprise for you:)
ReplyDeleteCotton
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteTucker and Daisy's mom here.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in graduate school I lived with Tuck and Daisy's breeders, they are friends of mine. I fell in love with Tucker's grandmother, a sweet Golden named Bug. We did everything together, but when I finished school and moved away, nothing I could do would get them to part with Bug so she could come with me. I don't blame them, she was a great dog. I moved to Florida and didn't get back to visit for a couple of years but when I came in the house and called Bug like I always had when I lived there she threw herself at me, whining and crying and it was obvious she knew exactly who I was, and for the rest of her life, until she died at 16, we still had a special relationship. If you have a bond, they know.
Heidi
My mom wishes I would never forget her!
ReplyDeleteI guess I would not!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the book. I don't believe I could ever forget my Mommy and I bet it is the same for you Finn. Mommy toldd me she has read stories of doggies that were lost for a long time and found their way back to their families. I just don't think us doggies ever forget.
ReplyDeleteLoveys Sasha
NO WAY could I ever forget my mom! Our bond is as deep as any bond between any creatures could ever be.
ReplyDeleteyour pal,
Garth