Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Of Books, Blooms, and Dogs

It's a busy, busy time.  Weeds are growing as fast as the perennials and need to be pulled, and every flowerbed needs to be mulched.  Plant shopping has begun, and with the warm weather, I've been ignoring the average last frost date of May 15 to get an early start on some of the containers. The back porch is so filled with plant purchases already that no one can go through the back door without tripping over a flat of impatiens or all the Carex that came back with me from Texas.

Some tulips are still blooming in the shade garden, but perennials are quickly filling in.

So who has time to read a book?  Actually I do; it's still the best way to relax before falling asleep and to ensure I'll dream about something other than pulling weeds:)  When I realized it was time once again for the monthly meeting of The Book Review Club, I decided to critique the last book I have read, since it was freshest in my mind; it's also a departure from my usual genre.


Cooper Harrison is a broken man.  A former K-9 officer in Boston, he must take a leave of absence after being injured in an explosion during an arrest.  But the psychological scars are even worse, and he is so traumatized by the death of his beloved partner Argos that he resigns from the force.  Months later, he is offered a job by an old friend from his hometown as an animal control officer.  It's a step down in his career and his childhood home is filled with unhappy memories, but Coop's depression has led him to drinking and with his marriage falling apart, he decides to take the job, but only as a temporary position.


Cooper rents an isolated cabin so that his pacing during the middle of the night when he awakes from his nightmares about Argos won't be noticed by neighbors.  Even during the day, he is haunted by his past as he sees a ghost of a dog on his morning jogs around the lake.  But one day he realizes this is no ghost he is seeing, but a stray dog obviously frightened of humans, and he becomes determined to catch it.  Cooper spends days trying to lure the dog, going well beyond normal measures for an animal control officer.  When he finally is able to capture it, the dog is close to death and Coop's friend the vet recommends a merciful euthanasia.  But Cooper feels he owes it to this dog--and on a deeper level, to the memory of Argos--to do everything he can to save him.  He takes the dog into his home while he heals, but only until he finds his owner.  Finding the owner and the person responsible for cruelly abusing this dog becomes Cooper's mission and ultimately his salvation.

Sophie enjoying the late tulips. I don't think she tiptoes, but she hasn't knocked one over yet.
Obviously I'm a dog lover, but I don't usually read stories that focus on animals.  I still have vivid memories of being devastated by Old Yeller as a child.  When I watched the movie Marley and Me, I cried so hard at the end that I knew I could never read the book.  Other animal stories that have happier endings often seem too sappy or sentimental.  But there was something in the reviews of this bestseller that made me think it was worth reading, and I am glad I did.

Coconut's favorite spot while I garden is in the shade of the old lilac.

The Dog Who Saved Me is anything but sentimental.  Cooper Harrison has no intention of getting too attached to the Labrador who is nothing like his beloved German Shepherd Argos; in fact, he never gives him a name but simply calls him "the yellow dog."  Even though small parts of the book are written from the dog's perspective, they are believable in explaining his instinctive reactions and help to explain how the dog became so frightened of humans.

When Older Daughter asked us to keep Frank, a rescue Pug, I said we already had enough dogs in the house.  But who could resist a face like this??

I enjoyed Susan Wilson's novel because it is much more than just a dog story.  As Cooper climbs out of his depression, he finds himself attracted to a woman with her own need to heal.  He also must deal with his estranged father Bull, a Vietnam vet and recovering alcoholic, and Jimmy, his hardened ex-con brother.  Ultimately, Cooper Harrison finds personal redemption, and yes, the book does have a happy ending.


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@Barrie Summy


And now a few scenes from the garden where spring is rapidly turning into summer:



Just a few days ago, the white crabapple was full of beautiful blooms, 
but most have now blown off with the wind and light rains.


But the lilac is still blooming, providing me with perfumed bouquets indoors.


One of my favorite spring perennials, Brunnera 'Jack Frost,' covered in delicate blue blooms.


You have to look more closely to spot the small blooms of Solomon's Seal.


Tulips are fading fast in the warm temperatures of the past week.  I've noticed that the 'Rosalies,' my namesake tulips in the back,  turn a little deeper in color as the days go by and age beautifully.
Wish I could say the same for me:)


Late-blooming tulips 'Queen of the Night' and Marguerite' compete with the emerging Allium.


Other late tulips in the shade garden complement the Bleeding Heart.  Have you noticed I like pink?



Spring has to be the shortest season here in Illinois--oh, how I wish it would last longer!



As with all the books I review here, I received no compensation of any kind for writing this review.  The Dog Who Saved Me was borrowed from our great local library system.


51 comments:

  1. Wow, your garden is gorgeous this year! I am impressed that you still found time to read and to review. The Dog Who Saved Me sounds like a moving story, and I love your dog photos too.

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    1. Sarah, I didn't think I had time to write a review this month, but as you can probably tell, I didn't spend a lot of time writing this one. Besides, it gave me a chance to showcase all the dogs once again:) They love it when I'm out in the garden!

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  2. I'm so glad you enjoyed reviews of this book and picked it up as it was my first entry to the book club last March. Your comment that these animal stories are usually too "sappy" was spot on. Perhaps since this one seemed much more realistic we both thought it was such a good read...:)

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    1. I forgot that you had reviewed this book--maybe that's where I first heard of it! I liked that this one dealt with all the relationship problems between the characters as much as about the dog. I also made sure there wasn't a sad ending before I started reading it:)

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  3. GORGEOUS colors. Really. and I love pug faces. :)

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    1. Thanks, Gwen. Frank loves posing for the camera:)

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  4. Rose, your garden is gorgeous !!!! How nice to see the beautiful scenes with those beautiful spring flowers !!
    Your dogs are so cute faces :)
    Greetings

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    1. Ela, this spring has been absolutely gorgeous. I just wish it would stay around much longer.

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  5. I think this would be a hard book for me to read, knowing that he loses his canine partner and then finds a dog near death. That aside, you make it sound like a good read. Thanks for the review.

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    1. Lucy, since his police dog died before the book began, it made it a little easier. The author also doesn't dwell too much on Lab's injuries; otherwise, I couldn't have read it either.

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  6. Your garden is looking beautiful Rose......Alliums mine are nowhere near flowering. How does that happen ?

    Sophie looks so beautiful, her coat is shining, showing her good health.
    Cute little pug. Such funny little faces :)

    Sounds a good read Rose......but not for me, especially with the animal content.
    As you know I rarely do fiction..........

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    1. Cheryl, it seems like the summer blooms are starting early, but then we have had very warm temperatures lately. Yesterday felt more like July than May. The dogs love it when I go out to garden, especially Sophie. Frank tends to stay very close to me--yesterday he was covered in the dirt I was dumping out of a container when I didn't realize he was right at my feet:)

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  7. What a lovely garden and great flowers! And amazing pictures!

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  8. Wow, your garden is significantly ahead of mine here in northern IL. We've had lots of rain, though, and the weeds are coming fast and furious :-)

    That sounds like a good book --I think I'll add it to my "to read" list on Goodreads. Thanks for the review!

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    1. Cassi, it's funny how a few miles south can make such a huge difference. I noticed this when we drove down to Jacksonville (past Springfield) several weeks ago how much farther along they were. We could use some rain, though my weeds are growing just fine without it:)

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  9. Oh, goodness. I don't know if I could read a book about an abused dog, even if it does end happily. It sounds like a good premise for a book though.

    Thanks for the review.

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    1. I know, Stacy. But I was already into the book when the dog was introduced, and it's not until he's rescued by Cooper that you realize just what had happened to him. By then he's on the mend, and you know that he's going to be fine. Also, the abuser is caught in the end and gets what he deserves, though it would have been much worse if I had been handing out the punishment!

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  10. I need a dog to save me. ;-) My husband is less enthusiastic about adopting a dog, though, and I realize a dog would tie us down. But I love dogs as much as I love cats, so I hope to have a canine someday. Your garden is gorgeous, and it's fun to see the dogs' favorite hang-outs!

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    1. It's true, Beth, that a dog can tie you down somewhat. My dogsitter, who was wonderful, just moved, so that is why we took the dogs to Texas with us in April. But the joy they provide the rest of the time is worth the trouble of making arrangements for them when we travel. Sophie likes to follow me around in the garden and explore, but Coconut and Frank usually wind up in the shade of the lilac after awhile.

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  11. Rose you are aging beautifully. Don't be hard on yourself. I love snapshots of your garden. I can't believe all of the tulips you have. Seeing yours makes me want to start purchasing more and more tulips. I just don't have the sun for them. I might have more since our locust tree is about half dead. Sigh``... no, I couldn't resist a face like Frank's either. Sophie is such a pretty dog. Like Annie I am sure she is careful in the garden...until a rabbit or some other critter comes through. Happy Gardening and happy reading...

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    1. Thank you for those sweet words, Lisa. I do have a lot of tulips--I just love them! Frank is such a funny dog; he follows me around the garden and wants to be right by my side; the other day he was covered with old potting soil because he sat right beneath a container I was dumping out:) Sophie really is quite good in the garden, except for this spring when I'm pretty sure she found a vole tunnel. She got the vole eventually, but not until digging out a huge hole in my garden!

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  12. Lovely to see your garden taking on a spring view Rose, and the dogs are so cute! I have always wanted a dog but it would be too difficult for me to take care of one so I have a cat instead. He is good company, getting a bit old now at nearly 14 years but still out and about every day with me in the garden. Enjoy your spring, even if it is short :-)

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    1. Helene, I'm a cat lover, too--in fact, we now have five of them:) The latest one appeared at our back door last week, and I've had no luck finding its owners, so I guess he's here to stay. Your cat is such a handsome fellow!

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  13. Beautiful pictures of your garden and that does sound like an interesting book. I don't think I actually saw Old Yeller all the way through and I passed on Marley and Me when I heard from everyone who want how they cried at the end. But the book does sound interesting.

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    1. Thanks, Carol. I don't know why, but sad stories about animals bother me so much, even though I read all kinds of murder mysteries. I was sure from the reviews of the book that this one was going to end happily, or I never would have picked it up!

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  14. Rose, your gardens are absolutely breath taking! I love the plant combinations you have made. I simply can't say enough, loved your photos. On to the subject of dogs. You have a wonderful and unusual assortment. Mine are pretty careful about knocking over or stepping on garden plants. I had to put up a little fence in one spot where they took a shortcut thru some new daylilies. I will order the book this afternoon. If it has a happy ending, I will love it. Have you read Virginia Lanier? I love her books about bloodhounds. She is one of my favorite authors.

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    1. Thank you, Marnie; oftentimes my plant combinations are pure accidents:) Coconut is my daughter's dog, but he lives with us, and Frank was supposed to be a temporary placement, but what could I say? The three of them provide a lot of delight for us, and they all love being outside with me when I'm in the garden. I don't think I've read anything by Virginia Lanier--thanks for the recommendation!

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  15. Rose! I love all the photos!! I think this book sounds really good. I'm glad to hear it doesn't have a sad ending. And on the subject of gardens: you would be proud of me. We're putting drips on our plants. ;) Thank you for reviewing!

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    1. Barrie, Many years ago, I used to peek at the end of the book before I started reading it to make sure it didn't have a sad ending. I don't do that anymore, but I did look at the book jacket carefully to make sure on this one--a sad dog story is not something I could handle.

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  16. Oh such gorgeous tulips! We just planted two crabapple trees that are budding, and I can't wait to see them bloom. So pretty! I normally don't read animal books anymore after reading too many sad ones, but glad that that one turned out well!

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    1. This was such a good year for crabapples, Indie. I hope you enjoy seeing yours bloom!

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  17. Beautiful blooms and that does sound like a good book. The power of the love of animals to heal us never ceases to amaze.

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    1. Dorothy, you've pointed out exactly what this book was about and why it wasn't sad in any way--the main character is healed through the simple love of a dog. I should have emphasized this more in my review:)

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  18. I'm with you on Old Yeller. The Yearling also gets to me pretty good and all those other movies like that. This sounds like it has a happy ending in the book. Lovely spring bloomers!

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    1. No sad animal stories for me! This one was uplifiting and yet not sentimental in any way.

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  19. Rose I love your garden right now.....fabulous flowers...and the book sounds wonderful....I too shy away from many animal stories after seeing Old Yeller and the Yearling...to heart breaking...

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    1. Donna, I wish I could push a pause button and keep my garden looking like this for another month. Here, a week later, it has already changed with most of these blooms gone.

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  20. Your Coconut is so cute, Rose!
    I liked your photos especially next to last one: this combination of white, dark red and purple is wonderful.

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    1. Thanks, Nadezda. The combo of almost black and white tulips is one I planned and one I really like. The purple allium are blooming earlier than usual this year, so I wasn't expecting this color combo.

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  21. Rose, your garden is magnificent! The tulips are just beautiful and so is Sophie. I envy you the lilac bush. It's one of my favorite flowers but doesn't grow well in So. Calif. Too warm. And no, I could not resist that adorable little pug face either. So cute.

    The book sounds intense and dark but also uplifting. Thanks for the great review.

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    1. Sophie and Frank thank you, Linda. I love tulips, so I just keep planting more each fall. The lilac is one of my favorites, too; it's the old-fashioned kind which brings back so many memories of when I was young.

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  22. Lilac! I love the scent. Your garden seems very suddenly to have absolutely blossomed!

    Right, I shall write down the name and author this time before I go to the library and make the librarian search for books that 'have the supremes and something to do with a diner in the title'.

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    1. After being gone for a week, it really did seem as if the garden exploded into bloom overnight, Liz. I've recommended "The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat" to many of my friends, and I don't think I've said the whole title the same way twice:)

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  23. Rose, Everything looks So Good! I detect water nearby. :-) This spring weather has been wonderful here, too. I'm trying to hold onto it, though. :-) SG

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    1. Too bad we can't hold onto these gorgeous days of spring, Shady. I just wish summer would wait a few weeks more.

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  24. Your garden is looking very similar to mine in bloom. You are still a bit ahead of us, but you have so many beautiful blooms. I enjoyed your book review as I am an animal lover myself. We share the same feelings on Old Yeller and Marley and Me. I have a hard time with sad animal stories. Even those infomercials for the Humane society I have to turn off. It sickens me to see an abused and starving animal. Happy Spring to you Rose. May all your blooms be happy this year.

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  25. Rose girl thank you for telling me about your wet soil story .. I think we have all been there but sometimes I wonder if my brain is truly engaged at times when I do STUPID things like that.
    Your header picture is absolutely stunning ... those magnificent trees are breath taking ... I love them !
    Frank is adorable and so are your other furry kids of course ..
    Your plants are ahead of mine and I am still waiting to see if some have made it through the winter or not .. BIG sigh !
    But that is what we do as gardeners .. weep a little and buy a lot (more plants that is ! haha)
    Gorgeous pictures girl .. and yes ... we do not have Spring very long at all .. summer breaths down our necks in no time .. hate the heat and humidity but ? bought a great new hat to keep the sun off of my face and neck finally ...
    I am officially an old lady hat wearing gardener ! haha
    Joy : )

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  26. I've read Chapter One of my latest book twice because I have no time to read right now. But that will change soon enough. Frank looks very well fed! We only have four dogs now, down from five, all of them rescues. I once had someone abandon a puppy on my doorstep. Apparently, my reputation as a softie has gotten around. Your tulips are beautiful and so are you!!

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  27. This sounds like a book I would love to read. I always enjoy a good animal story and one about a lost dog would have me turning the pages. Your garden is looking splendid with all the tulips Rose. I just love your namesake Rosalie tulips and wish now I had planted more tulips myself.

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  28. Your flowers are beautiful and this book sounds wonderful! Books are those things without the remote control and moving pictures, right? The thing that tugged at my heart is your own dogs. So cute! Three of my favorite breeds. Coconut is a perfect name for your Pomeranian. We have four in our Pomeranian army who are always busy hoarding toys and plotting world domination. Well, not so much the old guy, he mostly sleeps and cuddles now. Frankie's face...Love at first sight. Okay, I'll stop but it's obvious that a visit to the animal shelter can't happen often or we'd have way too may animals.

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