4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Pogo’s Tale: The Life of a Therapy Dog by Linda Lutes follows the journey of Linda (a now retired RN) and Pogo (her loyal and vastly intelligent dog, who, as the title suggests, served time as a therapy dog).
After the death of Linda’s previous dog, Bonzai, Linda wanted a new puppy in her life. She and her husband took Pogo home from the adoption center for a night, and it was love at first non-bite. Having taken Bonzai to work in order to adequately care for him, Linda understood the potential benefit of a comforting animal on a patient. Thus, Pogo became a therapy dog. This book chronicles the many people Linda and Pogo met, as well as later adventures.
This is one of the most charming books I’ve ever read. In large part, this is due to the star of the show—Pogo. She is wickedly smart and full of energy. I loved reading about her antics. She would run to greet the mailman, score a treat, and be brought back with the mail. I laughed out loud at the part about Pogo frequenting a bar down the street and being called a “party animal.” Pogo reminded me of a friend’s former guide dog, who was also brilliant. It’s said that animals know things long before humans do, and I believe it. Their senses and instincts keep them aware. When it looks like we’re in for bad weather, I listen for birds. If I hear them, I don’t get too concerned. If something big and destructive was coming, they wouldn’t be out. Pogo reaffirms just how bright animals are.
The stories contained in this book are heartwarming and amusing in varying amounts. I found myself nodding along with some of Linda and Pogo's memories or experiences. One in particular came in the section about Gentleman John. John is asleep in front of the television. Linda changes the channel, and John awakens and says “I was watching that.” My grandfather did the exact same thing. He’d turn the ceiling fan on high, turn the volume way up on the TV, and fall asleep in his chair, snoring loud enough to wake the dead three cemeteries over. My grandmother would turn off the TV, and my grandfather would wake up in a huff, exclaiming loudly that he’d been watching that. My mother swears he did this just to annoy my grandmother, but I digress. Pogo’s Tale is full of such anecdotes that made Linda, Pogo, and their many patients delightfully relatable.
Linda’s writing is fluid and beautiful. This is one of the best-edited books I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. I encountered only two errors, and had I not been looking for them, I would have missed them as I was so enraptured by the story and flow of words. There are also poems sprinkled throughout, both about dogs and about the various patients described. This added a depth to the story and offered a glimpse into personalities that prose doesn’t give in the same way.
I honestly have nothing bad to say about this book. With pleasure, I give Pogo’s Tale: The Life of a Therapy Dog 4 out of 4 stars. The book is a beautiful work fit for all ages. There is one section with mentions to drug use and that follows a troubled girl’s life for several years. Otherwise, these pages are packed with lessons and entertainment. I recommend it to dog lovers, as well as anyone seeking a feel-good read. Really, though, read this book. I’m glad I did.
******
Pogo's Tale: The Life of a Therapy Dog
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like desantismt_17's review? Post a comment saying so!
I don't think I would assume this was my type of book based on the cover, but it sounds like a wonderful book with a lot of personality - thank you for your review!
