Liz wanted a terrier; her husband Jimmy wanted a Border Collie. Two quite different breeds. To settle it Jimmy told her if she could run a half marathon she could choose the breed. It would be their first family dog
and in Liz’s mind it would be the perfect dog.
To achieve her goal, she knew it would require discipline and training but to achieve that and then find her perfect puppy would take research and planning. This suited Liz’s personality. It was what she was best at – especially planning.
She contacted breeders everywhere and finally found Brody; perfect, show quality and with a champion lineage.
She took her puppy home planning for the perfect upbringing, but Brody soon demonstrated he was not so perfect. Liz and Jimmy and their respective families all loved Brody but with behaviour problems and ongoing medical conditions their challenges multiplied.
For all his imperfections the reader can’t help loving Brody and feel for his people. It is a heart-warming story and at times funny. It may have been a challenging time for Liz the perfectionist and planner, but Brody taught her lessons about life and sometimes you’ve just got to go with the flow.
A key point she makes in her book is the importance of learning about the breed you want. Every breed has its positives and negatives. It doesn’t make one more desirable over another but prepares us for the breed’s idiosyncrasies and traits.
The opening page reminded me of when I had to farewell my elderly Belgian Shepherd. It was a moving opening to the book. I agree with Liz that dogs wait for our permission to pass on.
Oh come on Liz, Brody’s not really that bad……..
My rating 4*
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