Product Description

Hazel Carter's home-help tidies the house, does the washing and helps with the cooking, and the only payment she requires is a nice big bowl of dog food at dinner time ...When Hazel was debilitated with crippling back problems, she found herself unable to look after the house so she used her skills as an animal behaviourist to teach Connie, her seven-month-old Newfoundland, how to do the work instead. Connie picks out items of dirty clothing from the laundry basket and places them inside the washing machine. When the washing cycle is over, Connie transfers the clean clothes to the tumble dryer. Hazel could leave Connie to complete the entire task unsupervised - if only Connie understood that dark colours must not be washed with whites. Connie also works in the garden, brings in the shopping and is happy to do anything from carefully carrying a basket of eggs to pulling Hazel along in a boat. 'At one stage all I could do was lie in bed and Connie would bring me a toy from her toy box for me to throw as I lay there. She quickly learnt that to have a game she must first bring her toy to me, a very valuable lesson. My idea was to keep her occupied and mentally stimulated while helping me at the same time.' Underlying the story of this remarkable dog is a remarkable relationship with a remarkable woman: Hazel Carter. For almost thirty years she has been helping owners to understand and cure their dogs' behavioural problems with patience, gentleness and kindness.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #76839 in Books
• Published on: 2009-03-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

From the Inside Flap
When Hazel Carter found her life nearly destroyed with crippling arthritis of her spine, she found herself unable to move for months on end. Confined to lying on her back she was in all senses a victim of her paralysis. Never one to let despair overtake her Hazel determined to us her skills as an animal behaviourist gained during a lifetime of training dogs to teach her much loved two-year-old Newfoundland Connie to be her companion and help. Over many months she trained Connie to look after her. ‘At one stage all I could do was lie in bed and Connie would bring me a toy from her toy box for me to throw as I lay there. She quickly learnt that to have a game she must first bring her toy to me. It became a game for her and a purpose in life for me to train her to be my friend and companion.’

This is the story of a remarkable dog and a remarkable relationship with a remarkable woman. Funny and poignant, full of great wisdom and common sense, and containing many stories, above all, about our love affair with man’s best friend.

From the Back Cover
‘It was early November 2005, a perfect, crisp autumn day, with a clear blue sky and the leaves still clinging to the trees in a myriad of colours. We drew up outside the old farmhouse and as I got out of the car I saw a small puppy rounding the corner of the house. She trotted along the path towards me looking like a very important little person, curious and confident, tail wagging happily. I knelt to greet her and she pushed her soft velvet muzzle into my hand. I was instantly smitten. When I spoke gently to her she carefully held her head on one side listening intently to every word. There was no question about it, she was the dog for me.’

About the Author
Hazel Carter has spent her life around animals. At the age of four she recalls putting a lead on her cat in an attempt to take it for a walk in the woods next to her idyllic family house in deepest rural Sussex. Realising that cats were not as accommodating as dogs, she switched her allegiance and her life working with animals and training dogs began.

Customer Reviews

inspiring, interesting, a great read for all dog lovers,
I really enjoyed this book, it inspired me to teach my dog who already brought me the post in the morning to do other little chores around the house. She is helpful, anddoes it her tail wagging so hard I know she loves it..

Your dog will be glad you have read this book, they truely cherish every job they are allocated. My last dog was wonderful and he did have a very good life, but through reading books like this, I have solved my problem of lack of inspiration, which means my current dog is even happier.

Such a lovely tale of a strong bond between an unfortunate lady and her special newfie. Not brilliantly written, but warming.
Not brilliantly or particularly entertaining in the way that it is written, but a must for everyone who loves newfs.

short but sweet
A book by a dog owner and behaviourist talking about her life with animals, particularly dogs. Very sweet and full of enthusiasm for her dogs and dog training.

Also includes tips and advice on unwanted dog behaviors like barking.

Worth a read by dog lovers.