Dog Book Review: Little Boy Blue

Little Boy Blue… is excellent, informative, educational, well-researched by the author and presented in a format anybody can easily read. If you ever wanted to know more about the whole shelter/rescue/foster/spay-and-neuter movement going on in today’s society, this book will inform you. While most of the author’s investigation was eye-opening for her, it wasn’t for me, and a lot of it (even her horror with regard to a certain “bleach-and-Monistat” home remedy), makes sense. I’ve done battle with ringworm before. I didn’t put it ON my cats but I did mist everything in the apartment with the recommended 10% bleach solution every day, and even though I had the anti-fungal veterinary shampoo, it was the topical drugstore athlete’s foot sprays that were the most effective in the long run (and let me tell you, it was a LONG run getting rid of that stuff).

I think what I appreciate most about this book is how the author makes it CLEAR that the way things are done in this country varies widely with regard to geography. This is a point I stress a lot- particularly with regard to animal activist issues. Folks up North have had such a prim, proper and pampered view of animals for so long, and so often they just don’t realize that people down South (on farms, on ranches,  and in the poorest of counties…) do things in an entirely altogether different manner, and with greatly varying ideas. It’s a completely different world.

I did feel the author spent a bit too much time worrying about how Blue’s unknown life experiences prior to his adoption shaped and formed him, and I wish that she had spent more time being practical and matter-of-fact about dealing with his issues (and those of other foster dogs mentioned), rather than coddling them. So much of what she described really was typical of many puppies- they aren’t all always exuberant and friendly all of the time. Some are more cautious and reserved. Often the desire to soothe our dogs and make them feel better the way one would a child are the very actions that, instead, validate and solidify a dog’s insecurities and create fear. To me, her descriptions of Blue’s behavior during new experiences was not much more than a typical puppy checking things out for the first time. Not all dogs throw themselves full-force into every new experience. Some are more cautious and reserved. That doesn’t always necessarily mean they had a bad experience early on. Sometimes, it seemed, the author struggled to separate her own, personal emotional reactions from her practical journalism background.

The book thoroughly covers  some very sensitive topics, such as the use of gas chambers, which still exist within some states and certain counties, as well as why they are still there and in use. One hard-hitting point the author also makes suggests how one might change the course of things within the animal shelter world if volunteers simply spent more time and money on networking their animals using social media.

Definitely much to consider.

Overall, this book is an enjoyable read and I highly recommend it to all of my dog-loving friends, and also to anyone who is frustrated with the way things are sometimes done, anyone who is looking to change or reform the shelter system. I liked it so much that I intend to purchase a copy. If you’re interested in reading it, go ahead and make the purchase- a portion of the proceeds from each sale benefit Petfinder.com.

Thanks to Jennifer Casula for her book reviews! Jennifer Casula is a group fitness instructor living in Texas with her husband, two turtles, three dogs and four cats. This summer, the family (minus the turtles and cats) enjoyed two camping trips to Inks Lake State Park.