Hurricane Dog: A Tale of Betrayal, Redemption & Change
by Sunny Weber
Category: Middle-Grade Fiction (Ages 8-12), 221 pages
Genre: animals/pets
Publisher: Pups & Purrs Press
Release date: Aug 8, 2019
My Review
I read and loved Sunny Weber’s A Dog At The Gate. It brought out all the feels and plenty of tears, so I prepared myself for Hurricane Dog by keeping a supply of tissues close at hand.
Life is good for Gator, a pitbull mix. Adopted by Gavin and his parent’s, he is sheltered and loved. And soon is joined by a special companion, Magnolia, a rescue from a puppy mill. Life is grand, until a hurricane strikes and the dogs have to be left behind in the evacuation. From here on, I suggest you grab the tissues.
The story takes place over the course of several years and is told from Gator’s point of view. You go through a wide range of emotions. Fear, anger, and a loss of hope. But Gator doesn’t give up. So I didn’t. Even though it sometimes seemed like all hope was lost.
Living on the Gulf coast, I’ve experienced many hurricanes. Some I stayed and suffered through. Talk about terrifying. And some I fled from. I recall Ivan, which came through my home town in 2004, I think it was. At the time, my sister and I had two dogs, two birds, two cats and seven guinea pigs. We took them with us to Atlanta when we were ordered to evacuate. Bless the people at the hotel for allowing animals. I couldn’t imagine leaving them behind. It tore me to pieces when Gator and Magnolia had to be left behind. The owners had no choice. It was government ordered. I watched several shows about animals that were being rescued, nursed back to help, and placed in new homes after the hurricane in Louisiana. This didn’t happen quickly. The emotional trauma must have been huge for those animals.
There was quite the pile of used tissues sitting next to me when I reached the end of this story. I cried tears of loss and tears of joy. What an incredible journey this was. And it gives me so much pleasure to be able to recommend it to story lovers of all ages.
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Synopsis
Pit bull mix Gator and puppy mill survivor Magnolia are abandoned during a Louisiana hurricane. They suffer dehydration and starvation after rescuers take their people to safety but leave the pets behind.
Saved from their flooded house, Gator and Magnolia recover but remain homeless. Nobody wants a pit bull. Gator’s resentment festers into intense hatred for Gavin, the boy who left them to die. He vows to never trust again.
Transported to Colorado with other refugee pets, Gator and Magnolia face the uncertainty of a new life. Eventually they are fostered by a kind woman who seems mysteriously familiar. Both dogs relax in their new lives until upheaval again throws them into chaos.
Overwhelmed by trauma, Gator and Magnolia cling to one another through change after change. Will they be separated? Will Gator forgive the Great Betrayal and love again?
What will happen to pets and their people in the next natural disaster? Can Gavin change the rules of rescue? Will Gavin and Gator reunite?
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About Author Sunny Weber
Sunny Weber has over 25 years of experience in animal welfare advocacy. She is a professional humane educator and believes compelling storytelling reflects her passion for seeing the world through the eyes of the animals she teaches about.
Real stories are Sunny’s key to making deep impressions on young minds, for the future of animal welfare lies in sensitive people who will have the power to alter the negative impacts of previous generations and bring about positive change for all inhabitants of our planet.
Sunny has developed educational programs regarding compassion, respect, and care of domestic and wild animals. She writes extensively on animal issues in fiction, non-fiction, and blogs.
Sunny lives in Colorado with dogs and cats. Their yard is a Certified Backyard Habitat for birds, squirrels, rabbits, pollinators, and any other creature with fur or feathers who wanders in.
Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Linked-In
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