Happy Harry: A Magical Golden
by Barbara Lampert
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GENRE: Dog Memoir
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BOOK BLURB:
"Nobody who loves dogs will be able to resist your book! A magnificent love story!"
~ Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, international bestselling author of Dogs Never Lie About Love and When Elephants Weep.
In her dog memoir Happy Harry: A Magical Golden, psychotherapist Barbara Lampert, a lifelong dog lover, tells the story of her beloved Golden Retriever, Harry. Like her first dog memoir, Harry's story comes from her mostly uncensored daily journal and takes place in Malibu, California.
Harry was a genuinely free spirit - wild, and very wolf-like. Did all this contribute to his being exceptionally happy? Perhaps.
Harry was not only the happiest being Barbara's ever known, happy to the very core of him, but also the bravest. More than once in his life, Harry had to face true adversity, and each time, Barbara would look at him in wonder, not fully understanding how a being could be so brave and at the same time continue to be so happy.
Harry literally pranced through life, with a joyous attitude that made being around him like magic. Barbara fell in love with Harry. And as you immerse yourself in Harry's story, it's likely you will too! Happy Harry is unforgettable!
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EXCERPT ONE:
I call Harry my calendar dog. Exquisite face. That’s what drew me to him when he was nine weeks old. Sounds superficial, but I thought his face was extraordinary. And this sounds superficial too, but I’d hoped his face would stay as gorgeous when he grew up. Well, it has. But you know, no matter what he turned out to look like, I knew I would love him tremendously. What’s inside Harry is amazing!
Harry is the happiest dog I’ve ever known. Genuinely happy, from the core of him. Mostly with a ball game. Harry can’t wait for the moment when he can go out to play.
The first few years with Harry were insane. He was a maniac, wouldn’t listen. Particularly when he was out of the house on a walk or at the big field at the nearby school. We tried every kind of leash and harness. We enlisted a dog trainer. Nothing worked. But little by little, he’s getting better. Still pays scant attention when we’re out of the house, but at least I don’t have the feeling he would run away. Though he’s never off leash when we’re out. Never!
Those first years were so chaotic with him that I was resigning myself to the possibility he might be a sociopath, because he seemed to not care about rules, listening, or consequences. I needed to accept him as he was. But now, at six, Harry has become incredibly devoted and loyal. Our wild wolf has settled into his pack.
I’m at work right now and can’t wait to get home and see Harry. Give him lots of kisses, get his over-the top joyful greeting with a soft toy in his mouth. Seeing Harry brimming with enthusiasm makes me so happy! I love him so much!
Harry’s adapting… But more than that, he’s still so joyful. His abundance of happy energy is so wonderful to be around. He’s still putting stuffed toy rabbits and balls in his mouth, particularly when he’s really happy. Still comes to me with even more enthusiasm and his head held even higher than usual when I say, “Hey Harry.” I love saying that to him, and Harry seems to love hearing it. I only use the “Hey” with Harry. It’s special, just for him. Something I started saying to him a few years ago. To me, it’s a way of emphasizing how cool Harry is. Yes, Harry is really cool, in the true sense of the word. Unafraid, carefree. Still.
Dogs are such special beings. I swear a big reason they were put on this earth is to teach us how to be.
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MY BOOK REVIEW:
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This book, "Happy Harry: A Magical Golden," showcases the author's deeply devoted love for Harry, their special bond, and his unfazed happiness, energetic passion, and full of life mentality.
This book, "Happy Harry: A Magical Golden," is a delightful pet memoir about a very special Golden Retriever named Harry. This book is written in journal style entries that date over the course of almost 11 years, starting November 22, 2005, four days after Harry's arrival to the author's home, to September 15, 2016, just a few days after what would have been Harry's 11th birthday.
This book is full of fun, sweet, beautiful, entertaining stories of Harry, his friends and family, and his silly shenanigans and crazy adventures. It's very clear that Harry was so truly loved and cared for. Sadly, he was only here for a short time, however, he absolutely made a impression on all those he met and now, all those who have had the privilege of getting to read his story!!! It's hard not to fall for this sweet, gentle, wild-spirited, beautiful Golden!!!
The author, Barbara and her husband purchased Harry, a pure bred Golden Retriever with AKC papers, from a California pet shop. The book starts out with Harry's arrival to the author's home, his introduction to his new digs and meeting their other pets, including their other Golden Retriever, Barney, a rescue dog found wandering on the PCH. The book then progresses to the family’s adjustment of having a new baby furball full of energy running on his own alarm clock. (As someone who's taken care of both kittens and puppies - the amount of time and energy needed at this growing stage is so very exhausting and stressful, but also so very sweet, entertaining, and rewarding!!!) The book continues to follow Harry and his "big brother/mentor" Barney in their day-to-day lives, including tail-wagging games of fetch, exciting and varied long walks through new areas and neighborhoods full of new scenery, new scents, and new people, and spending time lounging on comfy chairs in their home garden. As Harry continues to grow, both physically and mentally, the author begins to realize that nothing seems to bother this sweet, gentle giant, he always seems so happy, so energetic, so full of life. This book proceeds to showcase a very Happy Harry as he continues to prance through life, enjoying new adventures, making new friends - including a girlfriend, a yellow lab named Roxie, and even becoming a "big brother/mentor" to new family member and playmate, Bentley, another Golden Retriever.
This book, "Happy Harry: A Magical Golden," tells the beautiful story between a pet and their owner, a bond of true love, friendship, and selflessness.
I loved that this book also featured many adorable black and white photos of Harry, Barney, Bentley, Oreo, the author, her husband, their home, and their garden. In addition, there are several intriguing wolf themed author quotes weaved throughout the book.
This book spans twenty-six chapters across 295 Paperback pages. Each chapter is also divided up into many short and dated journal entries. I haven't read too many books in this style format before, but I actually really enjoyed it. Some the entries were short, just the basics, and then moved on. Others that needed more detail felt appropriately longer. Thankfully, the author didn't write an entry every single calendar day just to write something, she only wrote when an update was necessary, sometimes days or weeks after their previous entry. It's interesting how the author started the journal to write about her garden, but ended up spending the time talking about her dogs. But who doesn't love dogs?? Especially Golden Retrievers!!! And as someone who used to train Golden Retrievers (also Yellow and Black Labs) for Guide Dogs for the Blind, these are (all three) very special, highly intelligent, and truly just the most amazing dogs ever!!!
Warning - Box of tissues needed!!! While this book does contain many happy, fun stories that are sure to bring laughs and smiles; there are quite a few pages that will bring sadness, tears, and heartbreak. Perhaps it's because we lost a family pet earlier this month, I'm a little more emotional about this, but even as a huge animal lover, it is still very hard having to say that final goodbye. And even having only read about these sweet furbabies, hearing their passings, were still quite sad and heartbreaking.
All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely recommend it!! So, add it to your TBR List and get to reading - you won't be disappointed!!
**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations**
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AUTHOR BIO:
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My passion is dogs! I’ve had dogs most of my life and hope to have at least one by my side always. Dog energy is the best!
I’m the author of two dog memoirs: Happy Harry: A Magical Golden and before that Charlie: A Love Story. Each about one of my Golden Retrievers. (I told you dogs are my passion!)
I’m a psychotherapist, licensed for over thirty years, specializing in relationships.
I was a flight attendant for nine years. And taught sociology at several universities. I have two master’s degrees and a doctorate.
Gardening is another love – not as much as dogs, but right up there! I see my garden as a work of art and garden as much as possible in my free time. I love being in nature.
I live in Malibu, California with my husband David and, you guessed it, our two wonderful Golden Retrievers, Oliver and Henry.
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GIVEAWAY INFO:
Barbara will award a $40 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Winner's Choice!!!) to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.
**This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a purchase is made, I may receive a small commission to help support this blog. This does not cost you anything, it just helps pay for all those fabulous community outreach projects and awesome giveaways on here**
This contest is sponsored by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish Promotions. Prizes are given away by the sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.
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