Book Review: Secret Service Dogs

Secret Service Dogs: The Heroes Who Protect the President of the United States, by Maria Goodavage (Dutton/Penguin Random House, 2016, 306pp HC, $28)

There are two kinds of non-fiction books: those that read like novels and those that read like reports. I much prefer the former* but some readers prefer the latter (easier to write) and there are certain times that the latter 'fits the bill' better. 

Secret Service Dogs is a report-like book. Author Maria Goodavage turned a report into a lengthy book: often you will see a generalization followed by the rest of the paragraph containing a scenario that illustrates the generalization. And to break this mold, towards the back of the book you will find a couple of chapters devoted to one particular dog each. And finally, to the finality of dogs. And when a Secret Service dog passes away, it is not unusual for the captain to give the eulogy.

Training

The dogs and their handlers train and train and train (one theme). "Did you know [dog's name] was a water dog?"

"A water dog? I thought he was a German shepherd."

"No, he was a water dog. You could turn him on and you could turn him off just as easily." (p. 60)

The Job: "Worthy of Trust and Confidence" (motto) 

Basically the primary job of the Secret Service (and their dogs) is to protect the President and to do so takes a lot of training - and a good dog. Then, an exceptional bond between the dog and handler. They must trust each other and be together 24/7. (Plus, a dog will perform more than 7,000 vehicle searches in a year.) More than one agent has turned down a promotion to stay working with his dog.

*Even though I am not a fan of Goodavage's writing style, would I read another of her books? Probably! And here are more war dog books:

War Dogs

Dogs of War

Books by Maria Goodavage

Soldier Dogs - The Untold Stories of America's Canine Heroes 

Top Dog: The Story of Marine Hero Lucca 

(Secret Service Dogs)

Lucca The War Dog

Doctor Dogs: How Our Best Friends are Becoming Our Best Medicine 

Book Review: Counting Miracles (an older dog plays a minor role)

Counting Miracles, by Nicolas Sparks (Random House. Penguin, 2024, $30, 350pp HB)

If an author has written 23 novels, 11 of which have been made into movies, you know he has to be a good writer with a huge following. Perhaps you have even read one of his books, or more than one. Counting Miracles is his latest and I have to tell you, I got lost counting!

Sparks writes about the common man (and woman) and the meaning of life - what brings people together and keeps them together and, of course, about love. And children.

Each book is unique and memorable. Counting Miracles tells of a soldier, who is good at heart and travels the country touching base with the families of his fallen soldiers when an auto accident strands him in a mid-sized North Carolina town for an indeterminate length of time where he meets a woman and her two kids. Kaitlyn is a veterinarian - need I say more to whet your interest?

Interspersed with the story of Kaitlyn and Tanner, is the dog story of an elderly man living in the country: he has lost the love of his life along with his four children. He begins to teach Kaitlyn's son how to carve wood animals but along the way we learn about his life and what is important.

Chapters alternate seamlessly and eventually come together in a way I did not expect but have come to realize it is the only way to show love and caring and never giving up. A long book that reminds one of a family saga, Counting Miracles is so worth the read, another candidate for Book of the Year.

Book Review: Birdie and Harlow (dog memoir)

Birdie and Harlow: Life, Loss and Loving My Dog So Much I Didn't Want Kids (. . . Until I Did), by Taylor Wolfe (HarperOne, 272pp,  $28.99, 2023)

A Charming and at Times, Hilarious Read!

Another candidate for Book of the Year, Birdie and Harlow is an experience for dog people, particularly those who appreciate a stand-up comedian turned author (this book will leave you in stitches).

With only a slightly unusual front cover, it was the title that hooked me: birdie & harlow: Life, Loss, and Loving My Dog So Much I Didn't Want Kids (. . . Until I Did).

Although some readers do not like books in which the dog talks, that is not me and the dog in this book does talk, understatedly. But, who is the dog? Is it Birdie or Harlow? And is the other, the author? 

On the back cover we see a heart-dog and a baby: what is a baby doing in the picture? Does the title give a clue?

And, most importantly to kids the world over, does the dog die? (If so, many people will not want to read this book.)

The rest of this review reveals the answers to the questions above, so read on only if you dare.

Trainer Baby?

Is a dog merely a trainer baby or a part of the family in his own right? Harlow has lived with the author since before her marriage and well before her pregnancy and the birth of Birdie (daughter).

Although the chapters jumped around, we appreciated the town and date listings for each as well as the end of chapter ditties like Things Not To Say to Someone After A Miscarriage (a list) and Things to Say (one thing - I am here for you.) The pages devoted to pregnancies and the worries about taking care of a little one can be skipped if the reader samples those pages.

And yes, parts of birdie & harlow are excellent candidates for Best Book!