I received this book from Celadon Books in exchange for an honest review, so thank you Celadon.
There are true fairy tales. Stories that exist because impossible-to-explain coincidences change everything. Except in real life, not all of them have conventional, happily-ever-after endings. When Harry Met Minnie is that kind of fairy tale, with the vibrant, romantic New York City backdrop of its namesake, the movie When Harry Met Sally, and the bittersweet wisdom of Tuesdays with Morrie. There’s a special camaraderie among early-morning dog walkers. Gathering at dog runs in the park, or strolling through the farmer's market at Union Square before the bustling crowd appears, fellow pet owners become familiar–as do the personalities of their beloved animals. In this special space and time, a chance encounter with an old acquaintance changed Martha Teichner’s world. As fate would have it, her friend knew someone who was dying of cancer, from exposure to toxins after 9/11, and desperate to find a home for her dog, Harry. He was a Bull Terrier—the same breed as Martha’s dear Minnie. Would Martha consider giving Harry a safe, loving new home. In short order, boy dog meets girl dog, the fairy tale part of this story. But there is so much more to this book. After Martha agrees to meet Harry and his owner Carol, what begins as a transaction involving a dog becomes a deep and meaningful friendship between two women with complicated lives and a love of Bull Terriers in common. Through the heartbreak and grief of Carol’s illness, the bond that develops changed Martha’s life, Carol’s life, Minnie’s life, Harry’s life. As it changed Carol’s death as well. In this rich and touching narrative, Martha considers the ways our stories are shaped by the people we meet, and the profound love we can find by opening our hearts to unexpected encounters.
I was actually rather surprised to see the package in the mail from Celadon books. My truly first entirely unsolicited ARC. I didn't even know it was coming in the mail. Does this make me a "real" reviewer now? If they are sending me things to read without any variety of warning?
This is the tale of the life of Harry and Minnie, Bull Terriers owned by what I can only describe as wonderfully fabulous New York socialites. I am not that. I am a terrier owner though, but mine's a Staffie not a Bull. Close enough, right? I loved how we aren't even really started with Harry. We're started before that with her previous dog, Goose. I now want to name a dog (or cat) Goose. I can understand Ms. Teichman's reluctance to get another BT after Goose. Especially with the special care Minnie the deaf would need. She would naturally be reluctant to get another dog.
But then Fate threw Her hand in and decided that not only was she going to, but she was going to get this specific dog. I felt bad for Carol. She didn't deserve what life gave her, but it was good to see that Harry was going to a good home, possibly, maybe. She made sure to look after her own. Something not many pet owners would actually do. I am sure a lot of people would have just put their animals down instead of trying to find them homes when they were sick.
The flashbacks in this one actually made sense. It gave us good insight into the kind of person that Martha is and pretty much sealed for the readers that there was no other way to go. Martha was going to adopt Harry. How could she not? It would be so far out of her nature to not take in a BT in need that it would have been unbelievable.
I love that Harry got to live his best life with someone who really cared about him and his breed and was willing to put the effort into caring for him with his many health issues. I know so many people who would not have, and it makes my heart happy to know that even though he didn't have much time left, he was with someone caring.
I recommend this book to everyone who wants a feel-good true story about dogs and their people. You won't be upset.
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