“Entertaining humans for cheese is a bit daft really, but cheese is cheese!” Wise words from Sam: a smart, talented, handsome, and very entertaining Collie, who, in my opinion, is the spitting image of Lassie.
Author, Sally Cronin writes through the eyes of her beloved Collie, Sam. It is a poignant, funny, and oh so entertaining story about life with Sam.
Sam tells us about his life and what it is like growing up dog. I couldn’t help but fall head over heels in love with Sam! And so will you!
Sam is very literate, he did narrate this book, after all. Sam’s memoir: Sam: A Shaggy Dog Story, is a truly incredible life story of his life as a Collie. He narrates poignantly about his first memories of being a puppy, his incredible curiosity of the world around him, as well as his travels, mishaps, and friendships, and about his great of love of cheese and sausages.
Yet, most important in his life is his great love for Sally and David, his adopted family. Sam also had a fan club of sorts; he was friendly with cats, such as Henry, an Irish feral ginger and white cat, a Spanish marmalade cat, named Mollie, and let me not forget his very favorite toy, when he was a mere tadpole, a stuffed toy lamb, named Larry.
Sam, the intellectual that he was, studied human behavior extensively. He learned to speak Cat, English, and even a little Spanish. Sam was also quite good at humming a tune or two with Sally and David, on many of their family travels. Quite an accomplishment! However, there was a certain rationale behind his thinking…cheese and sausages. If he could entertain Sally and David’s friends, by speaking English, he would be given more cheese by their guests. One could say that Sam was an accomplished entrepreneur!
As a reader of Sam’s story I laughed, I sometimes cried, and I fell totally in love with Sam, who was loved, beyond measure, by Sally and David, his adoptive parents. This is a wonderful memoir that will make you smile, laugh, and even shed a tear, but mostly you will feel a sense of great joy for a life well lived. 5 Stars.
This is one of my favourite books Karen. I was mummy to Lauder then Shane – two lovely rough collies like Sam.
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Brigid, I can imagine how much you loved you Collies, Lauder and Shane. Dogs can be more human than humans. I was mummy to my tiny Brittany, a beautiful Yorkie, born in England, and Katie Bell, a long haired Dachshund. I loved them both more than I can say. When I wrote this review about Sam, I ended up crying about Sally’s amazing Sam, and the love they had for him. Sally is a wonderful writer, as you are too. I am still learning! Karen 🙂
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They leave a hole in our hearts Karen and so pleased that you saw through to his great character and giving spirit.. I loved the review thank you so much.. hugs ♥
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Yes, they certainly do and it never really closes, does it. Karen 🙂
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I agree dogs (and cats) are wonderful companions. They leave a huge gap when they leave us.
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Yes…Brigid, they do, and it hurts a great deal. It is like losing a child. Karen
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Thanks Brigid and I would have another in a heartbeat…hair and all….hugsx
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Yes, they do need a lot of brushing Sally. x
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A gorgeous review, Karen. Sally writes wonderful stories. 🙂
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Thank you Diana… he changed our lives.. xx
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Thank you for this lovely review. Sally does indeed write beautifully!
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thank you so much. I am so thrilled that you like this review, because you are a great writer. Yes she does and I love her writing, her short stories and everything. Karen 🙂
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this, I haven’t read the book but hope to. I must pass the word on to my teacher friends.
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Thank you and I am so thrilled that Sam has reached another heart… he was a ladies man that is for sure…x
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Oh, yes…Sam was a ladies man, and quite the gentleman, I might add. It is easy to see the deep understanding of his way of being, just by looking in his eyes. I will never forget Sam. Thank you for writing this beautiful story. Karen 🙂
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x
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I also loved this book, Karen. A splendid review.
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Thank you Robbie…hugs xx♥
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord Blog Magazine and commented:
What a wonderful review that would have Sam doing cartwheels for his memoir Sam, A Shaggy Dog Story.. He would have been around to Karen Dowdall’s in a flash as he can tell a dog lover anywhere, especially one who appreciates his passions in live… cheese and sausages… love it.
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Reblogged this on The Literate Lurcher and commented:
I always like to give a bark-out to my fellow canine authors, and this book by Sam the Collie looks like a winner! Who doesn’t love sausages and cheese?
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Annabelle, thank you so much and I must go see The Literate Lurcher! Sally Cronin is a great writer and believe me, if I didn’t know better, I would believe the Sam wrote the book. Sally, wrote it in such a real way…that is is quite amazing. Thank you, Karen 🙂
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Thank you Annabelle.. appreciate you reblogging. I think he might have got those two vices from me! hugsxx
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Pingback: A Book Review: Sam, A Shaggy Dog Story – ❧Defining Ways❧
Outstanding review! 🙂 Sharing…
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Thank you very much Bette ♥
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Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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Thank you for sharing Jaye and Anita…hugs ♥
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XX
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A beautiful review Karen for Sally’s most heartwarming book ❤
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Thanks Sis… I am thrilled by the review.. ♥
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❤
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Karen, thank you for this lovely and compelling review!
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Reblogged this on charles french words reading and writing and commented:
Here is K.D. Dowdall’s wonderful review of Sally Cronin’s Sam A Shaggy Dog Story
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Thank you very much for sharing Charles.. it is much appreciated. Sally
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When I was growing up, we had a beautiful collie. I am 77, and I was likely 9 – 10 then. That was an immensely popular pet then, along with poodles (standard size), cocker spaniels, scotties, doberman pinschers and boxers, to name a few I can think of. It was a different world then and it is interesting how beloved pet types have changed now. This appears to be a fantastic story for all of us dog lovers. We have six senior chihuahuas, all of them with physical challenges, or who suffered abuse before we rescued them, often from being dumped out into the streets. We have one who is deaf and going blind, and who has a collapsing trachea, but he is doing great now. They all sleep with us and eat with us and all are healthy and happy. So yes, I appreciate this very much and wish much success to Sally. Thank you kindly.
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Thank you Anne.. and it is actually rare to see the border collies now, especially in Ireland, and they are such beautiful dogs. It sounds like you have your hands full with your seniors but to have that much love must make their elder years so much easier for them.. You are inspiring.. xx
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How could anyone resist that shaggy dog face??
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Yes…I know. I totally fell in love with Sam and his story. The writer is author Sally Cronin. She is a fantastic writer, author, commentator, and is an expert in many areas, especially for woman’s health issues.
Thank you for your comment…it matches my own. Karen 🙂
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Thank you Karen for the terrific intro…hugs ♥
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My pleasure Sally, and thank you. Karen 🙂
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Never Liz.. especially when he was asking for sausages or cheese…
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Wonderful review, Karen! Sally is a marvelous writer, and who doesn’t fall in love with Sam? 😀
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Yes…she is such a great writer. wonderful!
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😀
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Thank you Jennie… so sorry he could not get to meet you all… next to cheese and sausages, the ladies were his favourite… xx
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Haha! 😀
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