Rolf's world is turned upside down when he must stay with Mama's nephew, Young Ricky. The worst part? Ricky has a cat named Smokey. The frigid feline wants nothing to do with Rolf and cannot wait until he leaves.
Through a series of unfortunate events, Rolf finds himself missing a leg causing him to potentially be homeless. Will Rolf be able to find a forever home? Can he adjust to life as a tripawd?
I could not put this book down! I fell in love with Rolf from page one. Having adopted a differently-abled Dachshund, I can definitely relate to Rolf's strong doxie spirit and endless energy. I also love that the story is laced with facts about Dachshunds that are presented from Rolf's point of view. It is wonderful to see a book not only showcase the Dachshund breed but also teach proper holding techniques while addressing issues that doxies often face with their long spines.
Additionally, I love that Rolf becomes a spokes dog for tripawd pooches. Several years ago, I adopted a tripawd Chiweenie that was born with a deformed front paw. The paw is much shorter than her other legs, which forces her to hop like a bunny. Klimo's depiction of tripawd dogs is spot on. Nothing holds them back or slows them down.
Finally, I love that this story introduces young readers to therapy dogs and their various functions. My Chihuahua, Adriel, has been a therapy dog with Therapy Dogs International (mentioned in the book) for seven years. Providing touch therapy to students, hospice patients, nursing home residents, etc. is truly a rewarding experience for both dog and handler. Many people often confuse therapy dogs with service dogs. Klimo does an outstanding job of explaining the difference between the two while showcasing the importance of each.
Tim Jessell's illustrations are simply captivating. Rolf's character practically leaps of off the page. His facial expressions are very similar to my own doxie's. While done in black and white, the illustrations will still capture the hearts of young and old readers alike.
This is a wonderful read for animal lovers of all ages. The book would also make a great gift to anyone who has recently adopted a tripawd dog or has had a dog become a tripawd due to medical issues. Rolf's resilience and plucky spirit are sure to leave readers wanting more.
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