Hey Woofa’s,

A friend recently convinced me to read The Wonder Of Lost Causes by Nick Trout!

I was very hesitant when I saw the front cover, I know, I know, don’t judge a book by it’s cover!!!!  I get it!!!

However, it has a dog and a boy on the front, which means SAD, SAD ugly crying is going to happen while reading this book.

Neither of us had read Nick Trout’s books before so we toughened up and gave it a read.

WHO IS NICK TROUT?

I must admit for a self confessed dog lover and book nerd, I had not heard of Nick Trout until a few weeks ago.

Nick Trout is actually Dr Nick Trout!!

His Bio on his website reads –

THE WONDER OF LOST CAUSES REVIEW!

Well for all those wondering, there were some tears shed however there was no need for ugly crying.

I think Dr Nick’s experience as a Vet Surgeon, he knows us dog lovers don’t want to read about the ever so sad parts of owning a dog.  As well as the horrors that can happen to dogs at the hands of those that don’t deserve to have them.

We first learn of Jasper an 11 year old boy who has Cystic fibrosis, then we’re introduced to his mum Kate, who is a Vet at an animal shelter.  The shelter that Kate works at is a Kill Shelter, they have 14 days to re-home dogs or they go to rainbow bridge.

Again Dr Nick doesn’t need to spell everything out, this is learned in a few sentences.  And yes it’s damn hard to read, but it’s reality all over the world.  Perfectly good dogs get put to sleep because stupid owners………anyway that’s another post for another day.

A big black mix breed dog comes into the shelter whose name is Whistler.  Whistler has scars all over his body from what someone must have done to him, however Dr Nick doesn’t need to go into details for us to get it.

Jasper has always wanted a dog of his own but his mum struggles enough with the Shelter and being a mum to an amazing kid who struggles to breathe.  They also live in a no-dog rental apartment.

We take the journey these three have through Jasper’s and Kate’s voices.

Jasper believes (and I believe him too) that he has an extra special bond with Whistler and they can communicate without talking.  Whistler puts visions in Jasper’s mind to let him know what he’s thinking.  However, it  takes Kate a lot longer to believe in Jasper and Whistler.

Together Jasper and Whistler end up taking Kate out of her comfort and her safe zone she has for Jasper, and lead her on an adventure in the guise of a road trip.

I’m not going to give too much away because I think it’s well worth the read.

So go grab a copy and give it a read yourself and let us know what you thought, in the comments below!!

MY FAVOURITE PARTS!

My favourite parts are:

• the way Jasper and Whistler communicate;
• the insight Jasper shares with us about how he believes dogs see the world;
• how Jasper lets us know the why’s of dogs living their lives to the fullest;
• the journey Kate has to go on to realise she needs to let Jasper live his life, no matter what.

These moments brought tears to my eyes.  While reading the book I’d look over at Billy and really wonder what he must think about being in our family.

I wonder if we could make Billy’s life better, I wonder how we can communicate with him better and I’d just lean over and give him a huge hug, because it puts the feel goods in you.

WHAT ARE THE LOST CAUSES?

In my view they are –

• Jasper ever being allowed to own a dog of his own;
• Jasper having true friends;
• Whistler ever finding a furever home;
• finding out what really happened to Whistler;
• finding out how Whistler actually ended up at Kate’s shelter;
• how Whistler got his scars;
• finding out who Whistler really belongs to;
• Jasper getting a lung transplant;
• Kate joining the real world and getting a life beyond work and Jasper;
• Kate and her relationship with her family;
• Kate’s love life;
• why we still have kill shelters in this day and age;
• why innocent dogs are sent to rainbow bridge each and every day?

Yes, some of these are answered in the book and some are left for us to wonder about.

WHERE CAN I BUY THE WONDER OF LOST CAUSES?

I bought my copy from Kmart for $16.00.

However, I’m sure there’s plenty of places on-line to purchase it as well.

WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?

If you are a dog lover and love to read, The Wonder Of Lost Causes by Nick Trout is a great read.

It’s decently priced AND THERE IS A NO UGLY CRYING GUARANTEE from me.

Yes there maybe tears, but mostly happy tears.  Yes some no happy tear moments at the implication of things.

But there’s mostly happy tears if there’s any at all.

It is well worth the read.

My friend and I have mentioned how we may just have to give his other books a read also.

IN THE COMMENTS BELOW – BILLY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW – IF YOU HAVE READ THIS BOOK AND WHAT YOU THOUGHT OF IT?

Cheers