Synopses & Reviews
The story that became a global sensation: Sophie, the Australian cattle dog who was lost at sea and swam six miles through shark-infested waters to a remote island where she survived in the wild for five months.and#160;It was just another day in paradise as Jan and Dave Griffith, along with their blue cattle dog, Sophie, motored out of Mackay Marina for a gorgeous weekend at sea. But when the sky suddenly darkened and the waves turned fierce, the unthinkable happened: Sophie disappeared overboard. Her heartbroken humans couldnandrsquo;t fathom the loss and could only hope their beloved pet didnandrsquo;t suffer. But this true cattle dog and devoted best friend wasnandrsquo;t going to give up that easilyandmdash;and what followed is a remarkable tale of survival, luck, and persistence.and#160;From the first day the Griffiths set eyes on puppy Sophie through that terrible October day she was lost, to Sophieandrsquo;s time as a castaway and the reunion that almost didnandrsquo;t happen, journalist Emma Pearse recreates the incredible journey of this canine Robinson Crusoe. An inspirational story of loyalty and the resilience of the spirit, Sophie offers undeniable proof about the unbreakable bond between humans and our petsandmdash;and that if lost, they would do anything to come home to us.
Review
Publishers Weekly, 10/3/11
andldquo;A tender, delightful story of how a cosseted pup turned into a hardy, intrepidandmdash;and very luckyandmdash;andlsquo;supercanine,andrsquo; this book will endear itself to dog and adventure lovers everywhere.andrdquo;
Kirkus Reviews, 11/1/11
andldquo;This story of canine loyalty and the power of human-animal relationships is as charming as its blue-furred heroine. A treat for dog lovers.andrdquo;
Temple Grandin, author of Animals in Translation and Animals Make Us Human, August 29, 2011
andldquo;It was amazing how this dog swam to a remote island and survived to be reunited with her family. All dog lovers should read this wonderful book.andrdquo;
Library Journal
andldquo;This emotionally uplifting saga of a Queensland, Australia, family who lost overboard their beloved blue heeler dog, Sophie, while on a weekend boating trip reflects the strength and loyal spirit of these people and caninesandhellip;.Animal lovers and survival story enthusiasts will enjoy this riveting, true store, told with strong local flavor.andrdquo;Booklist, 1/1 issue
andldquo;Dog lovers will appreciate this heartwarming story of animal survival and the ties between humans and animals.andrdquo;
American Way, February 2012
andldquo;A heartwarming tale of the power of love and perseverance.andrdquo;Shelf-Awareness, 2/3/12andldquo;Both a heroandrsquo;s journey and a testament to the bond between humans and their beloved dogsandhellip;a compelling tale of hope that any dog lovers, whether they have suffered the heart-wrenching disappearance of a pet or not, will appreciate.andrdquo;and#160;Seattle Kennel Club. 2/1/12
andldquo;Sophie packs every bit of real-life drama with an absorbing Australian accent and a bit of refreshing good fortune to bootandhellip;remarkable and crisp narrative, Sophie nourishes as well as celebrates with a richly detailed mix of passion, inspiration and hope you wonandrsquo;t soon forget.andrdquo;
and#160;Cesarandrsquo;s Way, March/April 2012andldquo;Her story will encourage you.andrdquo;and#160;Richmond Times Dispatch, 3/4/12
andldquo;A miracleandhellip;and one that will touch not only readers devoted to their pets but also anyone who has known the healing power of love.andrdquo;and#160;Hudson Valley News, 3/1/12
andldquo;[A] miraculous story of a brave dog who survived insurmountable odds.andrdquo;and#160;Oprah.com, 3/16/12
andldquo;For dog owners who have ever gazed into the adoring eyes of their pet and felt like there were no bounds to what this creature would do for them...this book will confirm that hunch.andrdquo;
Synopsis
The remarkable true story of a familyand#8217;s beloved dog lost at sea, her amazing survival on an isolated island for five months, and her extraordinary return home
Synopsis
Merles Door meets the
Daily Coyote in this extraordinary story of a dogs journey back to her family. Sophie Tucker, a three-year-old Australian blue heeler, goes overboard into the predator infested waters of the Great Barrier Reef, and Sophies heartbroken family has given her up for lost; little do they know that Sophie swam six miles to an isolated nature preserve called St. Beeswhere she survived unassisted for five months by living off the land. The story of her survival and rescue is nothing short of miraculous.
Journalist Emma Pearse delves into Sophies story and re-creates the accident and Sophies improbable journey. Pearse tells the story from the perspectives of Sophie, her family, and the scientists on St. Bees who found her. Interwoven with research on the emotional lives of animals and interviews with animal experts, including Temple Grandin, Sophie offers undeniable proof about the unbreakable animal-human bond. Heartwarming, riveting, and inspirational, Sophie is an unbelievable story of the resilience of the humanand animalspirit.
About the Author
Emma Pearse is an Australian journalist who lived in New York for over ten years, where she wrote for New Yorkand#160;magazine, the Financial Times, and The Village Voice, among others. Emma lives and works between Australia and New York. This is her first book.