Book - Before You Were Mine
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This wonderful story for young children puts their “I wonder” inquisitiveness into high drive. A young narrator wonders what life was like for a dog recently adopted into his loving home. He asks all the questions we wonder about our rescued pets, such as, “did you have another name — like Gus, or Sam, or Teddy, or Howie, or maybe Miles — before you were mine? / Was your boy proud when you learned a trick?”
The illustrations are soft, colorful, and appealing to children, showing the dog doing typical dog antics. The illustrator, David Walker, keeps the illustrations cheerful, including those taking place in the shelter. Only a couple of illustrations are sad, when the dog wanders “alone and scared, like a dog shouldn’t be,” and the boy’s memory of his last moments with his old dog. The author and illustrator quickly turn around the unhappy pages with positive words and pictures of the new dog being cared for and loved.
Children who have recently adopted a dog will enjoy sharing the wonderings introduced in this story. However, be prepared to be moved to tears when you read it since you understand the larger picture of homeless pets behind this story. Not to worry for your young children though — the book is celebratory rather than preachy about the benefits of adopting an older dog into your home.
“A heartwarming story about how adopting an animal can bring happiness and comfort to a pet as well as the new owner.” — Front flap
About the Author
Suzy has had dogs as companions for over 30 years. She trained her own dog, Kalee, in agility and has just begun rally. Kalee competed and earned titles in UKC, NADAC and USDAA agility before retiring in 2007. Suzy is a children’s librarian, educating children since 1999 and adults since 1995, and is beginning her own education in behavioral science.