BOOK REVIEW: A Summer Must-Read!
You know how Oprah has her book club? And how she does her reviews? Move over, Ms. O.
Barbara (that’s me) from Hot Flash Universe has a thing or two to say about summer reading -with an important, beautiful message.
The title of the book I’m reviewing is “The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow: Love and Hope from a Senior Rescue Dog.” (OK, I’m already crying, and I haven’t opened the book yet.)
Authored by a good friend of mine, Kelly Nardoni, she paints a heartfelt portrait about how her adopted senior canine companion inspired her to live her best life.
Kelly adopted Annie, a 14-year-old dog the shelter deemed unadoptable. Which usually means euthanasia. (OK, I’m sobbing now.) Kelly strongly believes unwanted pets deserve a second chance. She says in turn, they reward you with daily lessons in love, resilience, hope and grace.
Kelly knew from the beginning that time was limited for Annie. The awareness that she may never have more than today with Annie prominently occupied her thoughts. What she discovered was something special about loving an animal whose years were limited.
Kelly found that Annie helped her uncover what was really important. Rather than send one more e-mail, or work an extra hour or two, she grabbed the leash for Annie’s walk or played fetch with her favorite ball.
It all started when Kelly was helping an elderly lady adopt an older dog. As she was scanning each photo, Annie’s jumped out at her. Her out-of-focus photo revealed a slightly pudgy, twenty-pound mop of dirty, matted, apricot-colored fur, and also had an apparent but undiagnosed eye condition. She looked like a poodle.
Kelly called the shelter to find out more. It turned out that Annie had two previous owners. One who gave her up when she was young, the second owner adopted her at age three or four, loved her for 10 years, then fell on hard times and had to give her up.
Annie was scheduled for euthanasia two days before Kelly found her profile. For some reason, the shelter delayed this plan. Kelly took Annie and bathed her, took her to the vet to clear up her eye infection and diagnose a lump (that turned out to be benign). Kelly took her home, gave Annie her forever home, and the rest is history.
Kelly’s purpose in sharing Annie’s story is to encourage readers to adopt pets who have been passed over for one reason or another—too old, disabled, or have a health challenge.
Thank god we human seniors aren’t deemed unadoptable, aka un-loveable. Ha. Unfortunately, many pets are. Which is the reason I’m recommending this book. Just because we’re older and have health challenges, we still live on inside as young spirits with plenty of love to give.
To learn more about “The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow”: Love and Hope from a Senior Rescue Dog, please visit www.kellynardoni.com.
