Although I don’t have a dog (yet!), I truly think I’m a dog person at heart. And maybe a little bit of a cat person, too. But I don’t think I fully comprehended the love of a dog until I read I Chose You by Carmen Leal. Having gotten to know the author by putting together the tour, I’m so glad that her pup Coconut came into her life. That way, we can all be rewarded by the amazing books she is releasing, as inspired by Coconut.
I Chose You is a compilation of true stories from people who have had a dog in their life that has changed them forever. Before I get to my review, here’s a bit about the book:
About I Chose You
For every pet parent who knows there’s no such thing as ‘just a dog,’ this collection of uplifting glimpses into the lives of ordinary-turned-extraordinary dogs and the people who love them is a tail-wagging good read.
Thanks to the rescue dog who saved her life after a traumatic brain injury, Carmen Leal went from saying she’d never have a dog to becoming an advocate for man’s best friend. Carmen volunteered at the local rescue shelter by writing bios and social media posts, applying for grants, and helping to save and re-home over 6,500 dogs from a high-kill shelter. This endearing anthology includes stories that celebrate the bond between canines and humans including:
Buddy the beagle who went from living chained under a porch to becoming the town’s only therapy dog
Heavenly Joy, the frightened Chihuahua who changed the life of a grumpy old man
Bogey, an abandoned mixed-breed trained by prison inmates and adopted by his forever family
I Chose You is a collection of memorable, beautifully written stories of dogs rescued by people and, ultimately, people rescued by dogs. If you like four-legged friends and happy endings, you’ll love Carmen Leal’s touching collection of heart-warming stories.
Fetch a copy of I Chose You, the feel-good book that resonates with anyone who has ever loved a dog.
My Review
Wow, what a book. Both moving and inspiring, I Chose You shares stories of all kinds of people and all kinds of pups. Each story is short to read but packs a punch. There are so many beautiful and moving accounts inside. Many brought me to tears! I absolutely loved this book, and it’s one of those that will definitely stay in my heart. I also loved the quotes and photos inside!
If you have ever loved a dog, currently love a dog, or hope to have one some day, you’ll want to get this book.
Purchase a copy of I Chose You on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Bookshop.org. You can also add this to your GoodReads reading list.
About the Author, Carmen Leal
Carmen Leal is a storyteller and the author of multiple books, articles, devotionals, and human-interest stories. Carmen relocated from Hawaii to Oshkosh, yes, there is a story behind the move, and has become an awesome dog mom. Carmen and her husband have become reluctant gardeners and know a crazy amount about Wisconsin weeds. She is the mother of two sons, two incredible grandsons, and Coconut, the best imperfectly perfect rescue dog in the world. Learn more about Carmen and Coconut by visiting carmenleal.com.
Find the author online:
https://wagawaypublishing.com/interviews (more to come)
https://www.facebook.com/Rescuemoredogs
https://www.facebook.com/carmen.leal.794
Thank you for your kind and gracious review about I Chose You. It’s always a little to release a book out into the world because you just don’t know what the response will be. I feel a little like Sally Field when she won her Oscar. “You like me! You really, really like me!”
I love this book because it shows that rescue dogs are amazing and that, with love and training, they can be best companions ever.
You truly wrote a wonderful book! I hope other people have the opportunity read it as well!
Quite a book!