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| The Entertainment Review |
| By: Louise Bernikow Publisher: Da Capo Press |
Louise Berkinow is a pet lover, or at least a lover of boxers of the dog variety. At the very least, she is lover of a
boxer-named-Libro. This is the second book she's written about her relationship with Libro, an abused brindle boxer
she found in the back of a police car.
In this book, which takes readers through the slow decline and death of Libro with many amusing and inspiring stops
along the way, readers will find themselves in a book about a book, which to this can sometimes feel a little artificial.
While it is funny that Libro stood up whenever his name was spoken as Berkinow read his story at book signings, it is
also rather annoying to know that readers are reading some warmed over material based on the previous book.
That issue aside, and for those who haven't met Libro yet, this is a pleasant and almost believable story of an
independent woman meeting an independent dog, and the unspoken agreement between them to share home and
heart.
Libro is an average dog, meaning he's a lot smarter than he looks and possibly not quite as brilliant as his owner
makes him out to be. Libro learns to sit to command no matter what language it is said in, proving him not a linguist
but certainly an unusually obedient creature of habit. On an anticipated trip to the beach, where Berkinow is sure
Libro will enjoy the freedom of a few days to run free, he begs for a leash and won't go out without it, and has no love
of the water. Libro, unlike most pets, loves going to the doctor, possibly because, as Berkinow speculates, "he knew
he would find help and care there." Libro was also getting acupuncture for his aching hips and legs. Perhaps it was
because of the treats liberally proffered by the staff.
Pet lovers and especially dog lovers will see themselves in the stories of Berkinow and the canine responses,
sometimes eerily human, of the devoted Libro. Libro comes into Berkinow's life at a time when most of her crazier
adventures were starting to be filed in the “been there and done that” category. Readers though they may not know
it right away will be ready for him. Libro, for his part, is quite content to be spoiled and popular, and when a book
about him emerged from the relationship he was ready to be a media hound.
This book is subtitled "How a Good Dog Tamed a Bad Woman." The stresses between the needs of a human and a
dog soon smooth out as the writer sees how the canine's quietness and non-verbal communication form a
counterpoint to the words she is always producing. Their relationship deepens when both battle cancer, and
Berkinow begins to see Libro as a kind of angelic force. Many pet owners may feel this way. This book can be
identified with the familiar and mildly edgy book of praise to man’s best friend. Any pet owner will want to check out
this heartfelt book.
boxer-named-Libro. This is the second book she's written about her relationship with Libro, an abused brindle boxer
she found in the back of a police car.
In this book, which takes readers through the slow decline and death of Libro with many amusing and inspiring stops
along the way, readers will find themselves in a book about a book, which to this can sometimes feel a little artificial.
While it is funny that Libro stood up whenever his name was spoken as Berkinow read his story at book signings, it is
also rather annoying to know that readers are reading some warmed over material based on the previous book.
That issue aside, and for those who haven't met Libro yet, this is a pleasant and almost believable story of an
independent woman meeting an independent dog, and the unspoken agreement between them to share home and
heart.
Libro is an average dog, meaning he's a lot smarter than he looks and possibly not quite as brilliant as his owner
makes him out to be. Libro learns to sit to command no matter what language it is said in, proving him not a linguist
but certainly an unusually obedient creature of habit. On an anticipated trip to the beach, where Berkinow is sure
Libro will enjoy the freedom of a few days to run free, he begs for a leash and won't go out without it, and has no love
of the water. Libro, unlike most pets, loves going to the doctor, possibly because, as Berkinow speculates, "he knew
he would find help and care there." Libro was also getting acupuncture for his aching hips and legs. Perhaps it was
because of the treats liberally proffered by the staff.
Pet lovers and especially dog lovers will see themselves in the stories of Berkinow and the canine responses,
sometimes eerily human, of the devoted Libro. Libro comes into Berkinow's life at a time when most of her crazier
adventures were starting to be filed in the “been there and done that” category. Readers though they may not know
it right away will be ready for him. Libro, for his part, is quite content to be spoiled and popular, and when a book
about him emerged from the relationship he was ready to be a media hound.
This book is subtitled "How a Good Dog Tamed a Bad Woman." The stresses between the needs of a human and a
dog soon smooth out as the writer sees how the canine's quietness and non-verbal communication form a
counterpoint to the words she is always producing. Their relationship deepens when both battle cancer, and
Berkinow begins to see Libro as a kind of angelic force. Many pet owners may feel this way. This book can be
identified with the familiar and mildly edgy book of praise to man’s best friend. Any pet owner will want to check out
this heartfelt book.
