About book Katie Up And Down The Hall: The True Story Of How One Dog Turned Five Neighbors Into A Family (2010)
I put off reading this one for a long time. I always felt it just wasn't quite the kind of dog book I usually would enjoy. In the end, it was a sweet book, just still not at all like the others I've become accustomed to. The incessant name-dropping throughout the first half of the book was very off-putting and disconcerting, disrupting the book's continuity. The page where Plaskin admitted to having his vet fake a letter stating Katie was a therapy dog, for the sole purpose of being able to take her on a plane since she was over the weight limit for travel in the cabin and he didn't want to put her in the cargo hold was disgusting. Particularly since once she was through the gates, he let people pet her- something people are discouraged from doing if a dog is, indeed an actual assistance dog. As the author later indicated, it is reprehensible, and morally wrong to pass one's dog off as a therapy dog for their own personal whims and pleasures. It should also be noted that SERVICE dogs (dogs that perform a service for a person who is incapable: seeing eye dogs, hearing dogs, physical assistance dogs) are allowed anywhere, and SERVICE dogs are not "therapy" dogs. "Therapy" dogs are those that provide emotional comfort and support, and those dogs are not SERVICE dogs, nor are they afforded the same considerations. Nobody should pretend to pass their dogs off as assistance dogs, for their own selfish means and personal gain. I was pretty much ready to put the book aside and not finish it after that. The constant spoiling of Katie by feeding her people food was another deterrent. But, I persevered, knowing the meat of the story had to be in there somewhere. It's not really a happy book. Rather it's a true-to-life memoir. The author finally hits his stride and brings all of the major players together and the reader survives. I read this book sometime back in 2010. A friend of mine recommend that I read this book, I told her I would. She let me borrow it. It was a great book. This is one of those feel good book. I loved how one dog a bring entire group of people together to the point they become family. The little boy Ryan is so cute, he loved Katie so much. Of course, everyone loved Katie. Just like any ending to these similar books, I teared up. I won't spoil any about the book or ending. It is truly a great book. I only gave it a 4 star because it is a little slow in the beginning, but it picks up. I would recommend this to anyone.
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A nice, quick,light hearted read. I did have me reaching for the Kleenex though.
—kiowa
Lite entertainment about the life of a cocker spaniel.
—Angela
