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Dash: Bitch of the Year
A heart-warming memoir about the adoption of a champion greyhound and her transformation into ring-bearer at her new owner’s wedding Andrew had always wanted a dog—something you could mould into the perfect playmate. Tail going like a windscreen wiper, tongue a pink strip, wet-nosed, bright-eyed—what boy wouldn't want such a force in his life? But a man of thirty-seven? And an ex-racing greyhound? Set over a watershed twelve months, it's the story of wanting the perfect dog and planning the perfect wedding.
- GenresNonfiction
288 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2011
27 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 13, 2018
Das Buch, die ganze Geschichte war wundervoll! Unfassbar gut geschrieben ( man merkt, dass der Autor Literatur studiert hat ) , lustig, spannend und manchmal auch traurig, spricht aus jeder einzelnen Zeile die Liebe zu seiner Greyhound Hündin. Ein Buch, das mir wirklich äußerst gut gefallen hat und sogar mehr als fünf Sterne verdient hätte!
September 22, 2019
Cute little read for any greyhound or dog owners! Reminded me a lot of my first year with my adopted grey!
January 18, 2015
I really enjoyed this look into the first 12 months after Andrew and Sarah adopted their first dog, a retired greyhound renamed Dash.
Of course, most people who know me well know how much I despise greyhound racing. For all the loving and caring owners out there, there are so many problems in the industry that result in the needless death of so many dogs. When you talk to a grown man who practically has tears in his eyes, because his job is going around to dumps and abandoned areas to pick up abandoned greyhounds, some with their ears chopped or burned off to take away the chance of identification...yeah, I didn't like the betting part of this book. However, they really loved their goofball dog and gave her a great home after her career has ended.
I loved how entwined she became in their lives, especially Andrew's. Somehow, it was particularly touching how involved he became- somehow most of the men I know who own dogs wouldn't be caught dead buying coats and matching collars. Bowie understands the need for short haired dogs to get a coat in winter. Every year we buy a $90 driz a bone coat for Danny and Bobby, and wait about a week before finding them chewed up and jammed down a hole. The Houdini their way out of all clothing. This year they might just get a warm shirt from the op shop to sleep in at night, since they're so naughty!
I also really loved the unabashed way Andrew spoke of his upcoming marriage, and his role in it. What a champion bloke! Can you send some of those emotions over to my partner too?
Fun and light, the writing will have you hooked. There's always something funny happening, and the story rarely wanders away from the dog (If you follow my animal reviews, you know that 'animal' books that focus too much on their human counterpart are one of my pet peeves) For once, the fact that the author is a freelance writer turned out to be a good thing. Sometimes the writing doesn't translate well into novel form, but this was great.
An excellent dog book that should fit the bill, four stars! Five stars for Dash herself ;)
Of course, most people who know me well know how much I despise greyhound racing. For all the loving and caring owners out there, there are so many problems in the industry that result in the needless death of so many dogs. When you talk to a grown man who practically has tears in his eyes, because his job is going around to dumps and abandoned areas to pick up abandoned greyhounds, some with their ears chopped or burned off to take away the chance of identification...yeah, I didn't like the betting part of this book. However, they really loved their goofball dog and gave her a great home after her career has ended.
I loved how entwined she became in their lives, especially Andrew's. Somehow, it was particularly touching how involved he became- somehow most of the men I know who own dogs wouldn't be caught dead buying coats and matching collars. Bowie understands the need for short haired dogs to get a coat in winter. Every year we buy a $90 driz a bone coat for Danny and Bobby, and wait about a week before finding them chewed up and jammed down a hole. The Houdini their way out of all clothing. This year they might just get a warm shirt from the op shop to sleep in at night, since they're so naughty!
I also really loved the unabashed way Andrew spoke of his upcoming marriage, and his role in it. What a champion bloke! Can you send some of those emotions over to my partner too?
Fun and light, the writing will have you hooked. There's always something funny happening, and the story rarely wanders away from the dog (If you follow my animal reviews, you know that 'animal' books that focus too much on their human counterpart are one of my pet peeves) For once, the fact that the author is a freelance writer turned out to be a good thing. Sometimes the writing doesn't translate well into novel form, but this was great.
An excellent dog book that should fit the bill, four stars! Five stars for Dash herself ;)
January 11, 2015
What a tremendous story about owning a ex-racing greyhound. A very heart-warming story that any dog lover would enjoy reading.
January 5, 2018
Who cares about your wedding, Andrew?
June 4, 2021
The cutest, most adorable book I’ve read all year.
5 stars because it made me happy
5 stars because it made me happy
January 8, 2023
Auch als Katzenhalterin konnte ich viele Momente nachvollziehen. Tiere sind einfach eine tolle Bereicherung des Lebens.
October 16, 2013
A good book that could only have been written by an ex-racing greyhound owner. Full of funnies that us fellow hound lovers can appreciate. Dash was lucky in that her previous owner and her trainer found her a new home with the author, and so was spared the atrocities that unfortunately go hand in hand with the racing industry and dogs that don't make the grade or are past their moneymaking years. Andrew's book was great to read, well written and entertaining. Lots of wedding talk, but that was mainly centred around Dash's role in the nuptials.
April 14, 2015
WOW! This story is heart-warming,funny(has made me laugh numerous times! :-)) emotional and entertaining! I have rescued a greyhound of my own and I can relate many of Dash's traits to hers! I seriously couldn't put the book down as it had me entranced! I hope there is going to be a sequel to Dash as I would love to know what life has turned out for you all now and you definitely have a buyer!!! Thank you Andrew for releasing this wonderful book out for us to all read. I wish the best to Dash and to your family!
January 24, 2012
Lovely to hear the story of Dash, great book for Greyhound lovers.
I identified with the early days of greyhound owning.
The dog bits were the best - there was too much romantic slush and wedding talk otherwise, but that just might be me and my cynical mood.
However, I wish them well!
February 3, 2013
Only a greyhound owner could have written this book. It is very true to life. Mr Dilger gives a balanced picture of the joys and frustrations of life with a retired racing greyhound. Some very funny moments.
April 30, 2016
Hält nicht, was es verspricht. Das Buch dreht sich mehrheitlich um die Hochzeitsvorbereitungen und alles drumherum. Das Buch weist viele Fehler auf und wird dadurch noch schlechter lesbar, was jedoch nicht am Autor liegt, sondern an der Lektorin
May 31, 2014
Doggie related bits were quite fun. All the wedding planning was total guff.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews