Kelpie chaos by Deb Fitzpatrick

Eli and his sister Lexie are delighted when Eli convinces their parents to get another dog, that they immediately name based on his behaviour when they first meet him on the farm. Zoom is aptly named!!  A Kelpie-cross puppy is full of energy and needs training but Eli’s family are ready. Or are they? Life changes for the family.  A picnic day in the country with Zoom becomes a day of adventure, danger and stress when Zoom escapes his lead. Have they lost their new family member already?

This is an absolutely delightful story! As a former owner of a dog just like Zoom I was reminded of all the training scenarios that dog owners must consider. (I believe that Zoom was far better behaved than most puppies I have met! Certainly better behaved and trainable than my own Kelpie-cross puppy!) But Deb Fitzpatrick has created a ‘beautiful picture’ of dog ownership woven with love. For young dog lovers this will certainly appeal, and the addition of some drama in the storyline takes this dog-ownership story to another level of excitement and adventure. Even non-dog lovers will get a taste of the joy of loving and caring for a pet and the lengths to which owners will go to demonstrate their love.  Readers aged 7-11 will enjoy this simple tale.

Themes: Dogs, Pets, Loss.

Carolyn Hull