You have to have been living under a rock if you don’t know who Sally Cronin is. She’s the creator of Smorgasbord Blog Magazine, perhaps our community’s most diverse and interesting blog, and Sally is a massive supporter of other creatives, be they writers, cooks, musicians, or other creative souls. Sally is one of the most beautiful, supportive, selfless people I’ve ever come across, and if you haven’t glanced at the pages of Smorgasbord, you’re really missing out.
(Sally) Cronin is also a huge animal lover, something I share with her, so when I saw she’d written a story about her dog, I was all over it. Actually, no, sorry, Cronin didn’t write it, Sam himself wrote the story – Cronin just helped with the transcribing! I’m only half-joking now; “Sam, A Shaggy Dog Story” is written so convincingly from a dog’s perspective, I often found myself totally believing I was listening to Sam’s voice, not Cronin’s! She really got into Sam’s head and demonstrates she has an acute understanding of doggie behaviour, from how important smells are (along with cheese and sausages), to explaining the intricacies of the language of dogs (along with the guttural dialect spoken by street cats!). All this from Sam’s sweet-natured, cheese obsessed point of view.
The story follows Sam’s life from his three-week-old puppy days, through his exuberant teenage years in Ireland, and into his mature senior days in Spain. Along the way, he muses about the many friends who have passed in and out of his life – both two-legged and four – and shares his thoughts and insights, and a few hilarious anecdotes, that left me heart-warmed and grinning (enamoured French border patrol, anyone?). There were a few sad moments in the story of Sam’s life – his friendship with grizzled ex-street cat, Henry, was chief among them. I don’t mind saying, I shed a tear at a couple of points in Sam’s story.
My chief takeaway from “Sam, A Shaggy Dog Story”, is that Sam must have been a very, very special Collie to inspire his ‘mum’ to write such a touching book about him. I also takeaway how much of a wonderful human being Sally Cronin is. The love she bestows on Sam is one thing, but her incredibly generous spirit is displayed in the care and love she expends on stray cats, birds, geese…you name it! It’s a refreshing, heart-warming turn in today’s selfish world.
“Sam, A Shaggy Dog Story” is simply a beautiful book. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Purchase HERE
Super review, Jessica. Congratulations to Sally.
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Thanks, John – it’s a must for pet lovers 🙂
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It is a super review John and has lifted the mid-week slump completely…hugsx
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😁
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A lovely shout out for Sally, Jessica. Michael and I loved this book too.
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Such a beautiful story, wasn’t it?
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It really is wonderful, Jessica. I must admit that I love all of Sally’s stories. She has a real understanding of people and animals
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Doesn’t she?
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Thanks Robbie and so pleased that Sam is still making people smile..hugsxx
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Thanks for your later comment too Robbie..♥
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The story is written from the dog’s point of view? That’s so cool! If a story brings a tear to your eye, that’s a sign that it’s a good story.:-)
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Thrilled by the review Priscilla… and Sam often had us in tears, but usually with laughter..
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And the way she wrote it, made me totally convinced it was Sam (the dog) who wrote it. Beautiful stuff, P.
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great review, I love stories about the dog, maybe bcz I’ve got 2 :)) btw, why paperback cost almost 1000 bucks?
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Hi Victoria.. most of my books were printed ten years ago independently long before Amazon got into POD.. we converted all my books to Kindle and I sold my print books at fairs etc as Amazon insisted we register for VAT which is not applicable in Ireland.. So the book is available in Ebook but I do post out print copies if people prefer… I envy you your two dogs.. we hope once all our lockdowns are finished to have another dog..
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I just said you were worth $1000, Sally 🙂
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Lol I wish…hugsxx
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I see, thank you for the explanation. 😀 I was just surprised a bit…
and yes 🙌 don’t know what I’d do without my dogs in this stay-at-home-boring-phase…🤨
maybe you’d get a pup this spring 🤞😛
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I hope so Victoria…I keep dropping hints lol..x
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I think ALL pet lovers could relate, Ray! The paperback costs $1000?? I’ll have to mention that to Sally! Maybe she’s worth that much 🙂
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Lol I wish but I don’t think even Harry Potter’s first edition signed copy would go for that…hugsxx
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Wonderful review. Congratulations to Sally.
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Thanks very much Craig.. chuffed to bits..x
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It’s a great read, Craig, especially as a doggo dad yourself!
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Great review, Jessica. Sally (and Sam) must be delighted with it.
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Thanks Staci.. and yes Sam would be demanding extra cheese rations after such a wonderful review..xx
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It really is a great book, Staci. I think any pet parents could relate 🙂
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Just looking at the cover of the book brings a smile to my face, Jess. Your exuberance for Sam’s story shines through in your wonderful review. And I agree with you about Sally–she’s a gem with a wonderfully generous and giving spirit. Congrats to her on this fab review!
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Thanks very much Mae.. a wonderful review and I am thrilled… and thanks for your kind comment..hugsx
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As a pet mom, you’d love it, Mae. Sam’s voice is so pure, so sweet. It’s a tribute to Sally that she can write so convincingly as a dog!
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A book written from a dog’s POV? This sounds fantastic. And you’re absolutely right about Sally, Jessica – a wonderful human being. Congrats on the review, Sally!
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Thanks very much Teri.. I am glowing.. not just from the lovely review but by the kind comments.. hugsxx
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It is fantastic, Teri. If you want a change from all the darkness, and just want a ‘feel-good’ read, go for Sam. 🙂
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I loved this book. I want to read it again for the first time. Great interview, Jessica. I can see you feel the same way about it that I do.
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Thanks again Jacqui… and you are still the only one that Sam has sent a signed photo to…lol.. hugsxx
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Hahaha, he really IS a mega star!
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♥
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I cherish it. That face–open, honest, kind. Sigh.
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♥
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It’s very beautiful, isn’t it? Sam’s voice was so incredibly well-done!
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Sounds like a wonderful and uplifting read, Jessica. Thank you for sharing. You are so right about Sally, one of the most generous and supportive authors I know.
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Thanks very much Mark.. and it is lovely when someone ‘gets’ Sam and how special he was.. xx
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It certainly is, Mark – there’s ‘feel-good’, laughs, some tears…it’s a really great read.
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What an awesome review, Jess. I agree with every word your wrote about what an amazing person Sally is – kind, generous, creative, and supportive beyond words. And I also loved this book. A fun and delightful read, especially during these tough days. Sally did a great job transcribing for Sam. 😀
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Thanks Diana for your lovely comment… delighted by the review.. my first attempt at ghost writing lol… I am so pleased that he has made others smile.. hugsx
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My pleasure, Sally. Well deserved. Hugs.
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♥
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Transcribing!!! That’s SO it!!!
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What a wonderful surprise Jessica, I knew that you were going to read the book but so delighted that it captured Sam’s spirit for you. I know everyone says that their dog is the smartest and most loving and they are right. They bring so much love and loyalty into our lives. Thank you from the bottom on my heart. I conspired with Sam to keep his memory alive and I love it that he is working his way into other’s hearts too.. This is very special and will of course share all over the place..♥
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It was so obvious to me how much you love Sam, and how special he was/is to you. I’m thankful you shared him with us, and believe his story should be shared far and wide – it’s such a sweet, innocent story…and there’s not a lot of chance for those these days, which makes ‘Sam’ all the more poignant.
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Thank you again for sharing your review on the blog as well as on the book sites Jessica, it does give the book a terrific boost..hugsxx♥
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord Blog Magazine and commented:
It is always wonderful to end the day on a high note and Jessica Bakkers has certainly achieved that for me with her wonderful review of Sam, A Shaggy Dog Story. It is heartwarming to know that Sam is still working his way into people’s hearts.. he was very special..thanks Jessica.
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Lovely review, Jessica. Congratulations, Sally, and big hugs…simply for being YOU. 🤗
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Thanks so much Gwen ♥♥
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Haha, I agree wholeheartedly Gwen 🙂
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And I thought my dogs had it good. In my next life, I’m coming back to be one of Sally’s dogs. 🤣 Great review, Jessica. I also had the pleasure of reading this one.
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Thanks Pete..we would be honoured to have you join the family lol…xx
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Yes, Sam and his cheese rations! He was just a little bit spoiled wasn’t he… ah, be he deserved it! Thanks, Pete.
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Fab review Jessica. Who doesn’t love Sam? Yay, congrats to Sally 🙂 ❤
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Thanks, Debby – Both Sam and Sally deserve all the accolades, for sure!
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Absolutely! 🙂
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Thanks Debby…♥♥
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Brava and three cheers for this excellent review!! I have just purchased my very own copy of Sam’s story. I did notice that the paperback is priced at $1,052.
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Thanks very much Liz.. and who knew his work would be valued so highly.. the key is will anyone pay it lol…hugsx
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It’s a great read, Liz… and between you and me, I think Sally’s worth $1052 🙂
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Indeed she is!!
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Jessica, the start of your post has me smiling and how true :’You have to have been living under a rock if you don’t know who Sally Cronin is.’ Sally is incredible and a pillar of support and encouragement to us all … your accolade of her work, writing is spot on! Personally she, and David, came to my rescue after I’d been badly let down with my first publishing venture and within a month my book was out on sale … and I haven’t looked back since! I love her work and have read many of her short story collections but not Sam’s! You’ve sold me and definitely on my list! Great post and review, Jessica! Thank you so much for sharing! X
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That’s a wonderful story to hear about Sally (and David), and I can’t say I’m surprised to learn how they came to your rescue. Sal, and a few others in our community, helped me immensely too with promotion of my debut novel. I can honestly say without folks like Sal (and D Wallace Peach), I’d still be an unpublished wannabe writer. 🙂
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Thanks Annika and no author should be left like that having put in all the hard work and we were very happy to help. And it is lovely to see where you are now in your writing.. I hope you enjoy Sam’s tale when you have time to read..hugsx
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This is a brilliant review of Sally’s wonderful book about Sam, her shaggy dog. I, too, found it touching and funny and was tricked into believing I was listening to Sam and not his kind and empathetic owner! I can recommend it to anyone whether they have a dog or not. x
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Thank you for your lovely comments, and yes, the power of Sam’s ‘voice’ was amazing… I truly think he narrated to Sally, and she transcribed for him 😉
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Thanks for your lovely comment Trish and for your boost for Sam’s book.. hugs♥
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Wonderful, thoughtful review – that book was written with a whole lotta love!
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It’s one of the most pure, sweet, innocent reads I’ve had in a long time… I just adored it.
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Thanks Noelle.. love was certainly buzzing around the house with him in it..hugsx
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