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I'm Listening With a Broken Ear
I’m Listening With a Broken Ear is a true story about a dying dog, Honeybun, the author found on a roadside and grudgingly rescued. A concomitant story of faith, persistence, and love unfolds as both she and her young daughter struggled to help Honeybun overcome severe issues of compromised health, aggression and fear. Untrained to deal with the overwhelming behavior, Vicky then tried to give her up.... unsuccessfully. Refusing to relinquish her to Animal Control who would undoubtedly euthanize Honeybun,Vicky tripped upon a small rescue organization who offered to help rehabilitate Honeybun for free. During the many months of heartache and struggle, and multiple near deadly attacks on Vicky's other dog, she discovered a modern day parable of the truth that nothing is truly irredeemable. Each victory with the little rescue dog taught personal lessons in redemption and grace, patience and perseverance, and the power of transforming love to spread through a community in most unexpected and unlikely ways. There were multiple failures, and repeated surrenders to hopelessness.Each time, her weakness was thwarted and overcome by unexpected help and miracles. In the process, Vicky came face to snout with the harsh reality that real compassion involved action and responsibility. If she wanted to save the dog, ultimately it was up to her. It is a story of redemption, physically and spiritually in a very small corner of the world, told through the story of a discarded dog that no one wanted and no one thought could be saved.
428 pages, Paperback
First published July 7, 2011
104 people are currently reading
558 people want to read
About the author
Vicky Kaseorg
34 books24 followersAbout the Author
Vicky Kaseorg is an artist, writer, and homeschooled for 25 years. Vicky and her husband reside in North Carolina. When not writing, drawing, or teaching, Vicky is volunteering with pro-life ministry, or kayaking, skiing, bicycling, and looking for God in the tiny details of the world around her. She writes a daily blog at vickykaseorg.blogspot.com .
Vicky Kaseorg is an artist, writer, and homeschooled for 25 years. Vicky and her husband reside in North Carolina. When not writing, drawing, or teaching, Vicky is volunteering with pro-life ministry, or kayaking, skiing, bicycling, and looking for God in the tiny details of the world around her. She writes a daily blog at vickykaseorg.blogspot.com .
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
February 19, 2013
This book reminded me so much of my dog, Myrtle, without the awesome agility training. We don't agility train in our house...but daggone it if we don't want to start agility training because it sounds so fun.
I'm not a religious person, and at first all the praying at the end of the chapters was a little bit "yeah, yeah...let's get on with the story," but honestly, a lot of the lessons and things the author mentioned were very real life lessons that I also had to grapple with when I brought Myrtle home. They are also things we all as humans struggle with from time to time. So, I learned to read the chapter summary prayers for their message.
All in all, a decent book with good tips and also should be very motivational for people that have adopted a dog that may have some behavioural issues to work on. Don't give up on your dog. They are your responsibility, folks, so suck it up. You'll be rewarded greatly in your life by sticking with it.
I'm not a religious person, and at first all the praying at the end of the chapters was a little bit "yeah, yeah...let's get on with the story," but honestly, a lot of the lessons and things the author mentioned were very real life lessons that I also had to grapple with when I brought Myrtle home. They are also things we all as humans struggle with from time to time. So, I learned to read the chapter summary prayers for their message.
All in all, a decent book with good tips and also should be very motivational for people that have adopted a dog that may have some behavioural issues to work on. Don't give up on your dog. They are your responsibility, folks, so suck it up. You'll be rewarded greatly in your life by sticking with it.
October 29, 2020
The biggest takeaway from this book for me is to please donate to local small animal shelters, and see if there are ways to assist the good-hearted people who put their energy into ensuring dogs like Honeybun (the main dog in this story) get a second chance at love and life.
The next takeaway I got was that I didn’t like the narrator or the writing. The story is sweet; both Asherel and Honeybun (the narrator’s daughter and dog, respectively) are easy to root for and it is encouraging to read about the rehabilitation of a former damaged swamp dog. But the narrator....ouch! Self-centered, is the word that comes to mind in terms of characterization; just about every trial that comes up on the journey with Honeybun is turned around into “how is this going to make me look?” or “how much money is this going to cost me?” or “why is this so hard?!” Word to the wise, if you want to get your readers to sympathize with you, don’t spend well over half the book moping and complaining about how hard life has treated you and how much you deserve to be recognized for your good deeds. It makes it very hard to enjoy your narrative voice at that point, and some readers (like myself) might roll their eyes and yell into the void instead of appreciate your struggles.
Additionally, hyperbole is not the only way to derive humor from a situation. Sometimes understatement can accomplish that...or irony? Just, try some other writing tricks out, and maybe your story will have more funny moments. Also, what’s with the weird prevalence of this author to use Holocaust allusions and analogies? I think there were four or five of them, but it really began to make me uncomfortable that such a tragic cataclysm of events was being used so flippantly in the same paragraph as the author’s lamentation about missing American Idol.
This is a cute book, and I am glad that I learned about Honeybun and her plight, as well as the plight of smalltime animal rescue shelters. That being said, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone else; I can tell them the general plot and raise awareness about rescue organizations without having them suffer through the relentless pity party that the narrator invites us to for the majority of her book.
The next takeaway I got was that I didn’t like the narrator or the writing. The story is sweet; both Asherel and Honeybun (the narrator’s daughter and dog, respectively) are easy to root for and it is encouraging to read about the rehabilitation of a former damaged swamp dog. But the narrator....ouch! Self-centered, is the word that comes to mind in terms of characterization; just about every trial that comes up on the journey with Honeybun is turned around into “how is this going to make me look?” or “how much money is this going to cost me?” or “why is this so hard?!” Word to the wise, if you want to get your readers to sympathize with you, don’t spend well over half the book moping and complaining about how hard life has treated you and how much you deserve to be recognized for your good deeds. It makes it very hard to enjoy your narrative voice at that point, and some readers (like myself) might roll their eyes and yell into the void instead of appreciate your struggles.
Additionally, hyperbole is not the only way to derive humor from a situation. Sometimes understatement can accomplish that...or irony? Just, try some other writing tricks out, and maybe your story will have more funny moments. Also, what’s with the weird prevalence of this author to use Holocaust allusions and analogies? I think there were four or five of them, but it really began to make me uncomfortable that such a tragic cataclysm of events was being used so flippantly in the same paragraph as the author’s lamentation about missing American Idol.
This is a cute book, and I am glad that I learned about Honeybun and her plight, as well as the plight of smalltime animal rescue shelters. That being said, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone else; I can tell them the general plot and raise awareness about rescue organizations without having them suffer through the relentless pity party that the narrator invites us to for the majority of her book.
December 1, 2011
One of my favorite books! I recommend it to everyone, regardless of how you feel about pets. Vicky does a wonderful job examining her inner strength as she takes on a task most of us wouldn't have the energy to even think about.
May 8, 2012
I’m Listening With a Broken Ear is a true story about a dying dog, Honeybun, that the author, Vicky Kaseorg, found on a roadside and grudgingly rescued. If not rescued, she & her daughter knew the fate of this dog...Honeybun would be euthanized by Animal Control. It is a story of redemption, physically and spiritually in a very small corner of the world, told through the story of a discarded dog that no one wanted and no one thought could be saved. Such a heart-warming story how this dog changed everyone she came in contact with...patience was a virtue with this dog. Honeybun's challenges tested the patience of everyone, but mostly Vicky (in ways she didn't know it could/would)!! Perhaps parts dragged out, but it was an easy read!!
July 29, 2012
Witty and heartwarming!
What an unexpectedly great book this is. The author's trials and tribulations with a dog she rescued from the roadside (Honeybun), and the consequent feelings of self-doubt, hopelessness but also love and redemption along with a dawning realisation that it's more than just the dog that is changing all combine to make a hugely engaging story.
There is a spiritual element to it with 'Dear God' letters at the end of each chapter, but it's not too intrusive if that's not your thing, and the whole book is written in a witty and entertaining manner. I did get a little bored with the agility contests by the end of the book, but overall it was very enjoyable and I'd recommend it to anyone who has any interest in animals.
What an unexpectedly great book this is. The author's trials and tribulations with a dog she rescued from the roadside (Honeybun), and the consequent feelings of self-doubt, hopelessness but also love and redemption along with a dawning realisation that it's more than just the dog that is changing all combine to make a hugely engaging story.
There is a spiritual element to it with 'Dear God' letters at the end of each chapter, but it's not too intrusive if that's not your thing, and the whole book is written in a witty and entertaining manner. I did get a little bored with the agility contests by the end of the book, but overall it was very enjoyable and I'd recommend it to anyone who has any interest in animals.
April 9, 2012
Appealing story: the dog they couldn't adopt, but couldn't let her be put down by Animal Control. The story first focuses on all the hings that are wrong with the dog, until--with changes so gradual you're not sure the narrator really noticed, it's not the dog who is the problem. The author ends each chapter with her prayers/conversations with God, giving us another aspect of her perspective, on her growing relationship with Honeybun. Ultimately this is a story of redemption, in which love is not enough but, along with lots of exercise and the right discipline, we make our animal companions into the best creatures they can be, and maybe ourselves, too.
July 29, 2012
This is more like 3 1/2 stars. The author is a fairly talented writer, and it was quite an interesting story. As a Christian myself, I enjoyed seeing her insight about how her experiences were the Lord's hand in her life. At times it got a little trite and repetitive, however. I particularly found that as she talks about the way her daughter notices the dog is smiling, but she herself can only see the negative things as overdone. This is a repeating theme in the book, and often she sticks it in there right after they've had a positive experience with the dog, or after she's been speaking hopefully, and so then the negative thoughts do a weird thing to the overall tone of the memoir.
December 23, 2018
A nice rescue story, although I much preferred reading about the dog compared to the author's religious paragraphs. It felt like a contrast to the author always feeling like she needed praise for rescuing Honeybun off the streets. Commendable as that might be, you should be happy enough for the dog's well being without expecting thanks. Other than that I enjoyed the dog stories, and the bond the daughter had with Honeybun. It was interesting finding out more about dog trials and agility, something I've not had much to do with before.
A decent animal book I'm sure will please. Three stars.
A decent animal book I'm sure will please. Three stars.
December 28, 2014
Interesting book. I wasn't so keen on the religious aspect of it, but I felt the author made some interesting correlations between her day to day life and her spiritual life and she did so with an easy-to-read sense of humor.
I certainly gained some insight into how Humane Societies operate. Never was a fan of them and this book just solidified that. I also found the section about how post-menopausal meds are made, to be of interest. Shockingly amazing how we use and abuse animals.
I certainly gained some insight into how Humane Societies operate. Never was a fan of them and this book just solidified that. I also found the section about how post-menopausal meds are made, to be of interest. Shockingly amazing how we use and abuse animals.
August 31, 2015
I am a dog lover. I was so afraid this was going to be one of those tear your heart out stories were you fall in love with some hapless dog and then it dies. Thankfully it is not. This book is about a woman's growth as a Mom, pet owner and Christian.
I of course felt passion for the changes that took place in Hounybun and also loved the changes that took place in the prayers as the author grew in her own skin.
If you love dogs and are a Christian, this is the book for you!
I of course felt passion for the changes that took place in Hounybun and also loved the changes that took place in the prayers as the author grew in her own skin.
If you love dogs and are a Christian, this is the book for you!
June 2, 2013
I didn't care for the religious parts of this book, which I skipped over, and I found it annoying that the author seemed to want praise (and probably a medal) for being a 'Good Samaritan' and saving Honeybun. You don't rescue an animal to receive kudos. I love animal stories but this one had me skipping through chapters to get to the end. All in all, I'm just glad Honeybun was saved.
April 23, 2012
I started out being irritated at how she wanted to save this dog but wanted someone else to do it. I was relieved that she didn't give up, and not only saved Honeybun but made her an agility champ. :)
May 29, 2015
This true story shows what can happen with a little communication and a great deal of patience
July 13, 2019
Wonderful book
Very enjoyable book, I did a lot of wiping my eyes as I read it. I admire anyone who has the patience to work so hard to help a helpless animal who needs help so badly.
Very enjoyable book, I did a lot of wiping my eyes as I read it. I admire anyone who has the patience to work so hard to help a helpless animal who needs help so badly.
November 29, 2017
Good story
This is a good inspirational story. People will get some good ideas out of the training and socializing of the new rescue dog.
This is a good inspirational story. People will get some good ideas out of the training and socializing of the new rescue dog.
September 18, 2018
Great book
Really sweet book i enjoyed reading and would recommend to any dog lovers out there look forward to more from this author
Really sweet book i enjoyed reading and would recommend to any dog lovers out there look forward to more from this author
January 13, 2019
Great book
May 21, 2025
This book was a total disappointment. Instead of being a beautiful story about a rescue dog, which the title implies, it turned out to be a book about the author shouting ME, ME, ME, on every page.
December 30, 2020
There were some great parts to this story. I'm not a particularly religious person, and I do not begrudge those who are, but it was a dominant portion of the book. I did learn some tips that might help with our rescues, although I am not likely to use a bull whip.
December 28, 2015
This is a true story about a woman who finds a dog near death at the side of the road, and while she is tempted to let her be, she just can't do it. She figures it would be best to turn her in somewhere where she might be able to be taken care of. The problem is that if she has taken to an animal rescue place, she will be euthanized. Vicky takes her to her vet, and much to her dismay find at there are a number of things wrong with this dog, and not only medically speaking. Strapped for finances, the vet gives her a break, but when she gets Honeybun home, she discovers a very vicious and frightened dog which doesn't bode well for Lucky, the dog they already have. Honeybun also turns out to be aggressive with human beings, and it is only with much determination and the help of a woman, Malta, that Vicky and her daughter are able to not only take care of Honeybun but see her thrive.
There are times when this story drags, and Honeybun (at least the story the author tells) is not a dog that gives you warm and fuzzy feelings. Vicky also ends each chapter with prayer, and along with not seeing Honeybun smile like her daughter does (this gets repetitive), and these get trying. Still it is an amazing transformation that very few people would have (let alone could have) done, and it is a good lesson that all creatures need attention, some more than others.
There are times when this story drags, and Honeybun (at least the story the author tells) is not a dog that gives you warm and fuzzy feelings. Vicky also ends each chapter with prayer, and along with not seeing Honeybun smile like her daughter does (this gets repetitive), and these get trying. Still it is an amazing transformation that very few people would have (let alone could have) done, and it is a good lesson that all creatures need attention, some more than others.
January 30, 2017
This author is very amusing in her sometimes woeful tale of taking in a rescue dog and the issues that follow. You'll have many a laugh out loud moment as you follow the ups and downs of training a dog who seems untrainable. While the dog had aggression issues for quite a long time, Vicky and her lovely daughter do everything within their power to train and make this pet loved and lovable. The story has a nice flow to it even though at times it becomes a tad long-winded. Vicky finds a wonderful rescue center and the owner and her husband help Vicky understand both of their dogs' issues and how one impacts the other. Vicky's daughter is determined to make Honeybun an agility dog and her perseverance is more than admirable for an 11 year old! You will applaud her efforts as well as Honeybun's. Enjoyable read. An occasional editing error, but nothing glaring.
April 13, 2012
This is a humorously told story of a dog rescue, initially unwilling as it was. She prayed for someone to come along and rescue this obviously dying dog while she fetched some water for it not realizing the the victim/rescuer was already on the scene: her. (Afterall, she was qualified in dog rehabilitation via her Girl Scout dog brushing class.)
The author's self-lauding humor won me from the first and she did an amazing job of showing the inner and outer changes this rescue and all its challenges worked in her.
This book literally had me laughing out loud, wincing at times, and being inspired too.
The author's self-lauding humor won me from the first and she did an amazing job of showing the inner and outer changes this rescue and all its challenges worked in her.
This book literally had me laughing out loud, wincing at times, and being inspired too.
July 17, 2012
Picked this up through the Kindle lending library. LOVED IT!
A true story about a Mom & her daughter who save a dying, homeless dog. Through countless trials and tribulations, the family brings her back to health, and they teach each other the lessons of faith, patience, perseverance, loyalty, and unconditional love. I enjoy how the author ends each chapter with a letter to God. If you have faith, this book will make you believe even more in the power of the human spirit, the goodness in people, and that animals, even when broken, can make us search within ourselves to become better than we are or thought we could ever be.
A true story about a Mom & her daughter who save a dying, homeless dog. Through countless trials and tribulations, the family brings her back to health, and they teach each other the lessons of faith, patience, perseverance, loyalty, and unconditional love. I enjoy how the author ends each chapter with a letter to God. If you have faith, this book will make you believe even more in the power of the human spirit, the goodness in people, and that animals, even when broken, can make us search within ourselves to become better than we are or thought we could ever be.
July 5, 2013
What a lovely book. A very life-affirming story of a little dog who found her way into the lives and hearts of this family and sent them down a path that they would not have ventured out on, but for Honeybun. The author and her family have found great joy and sometimes heartache along that path. The author writes with humor and is very relatable. I found myself laughing aloud several times while reading. I also loved the chapter-ending prayers.
As an added bonus - I checked YouTube and found a few of Honeybun's agility runs, which made the stars of the story that much more real and relatable.
As an added bonus - I checked YouTube and found a few of Honeybun's agility runs, which made the stars of the story that much more real and relatable.
September 19, 2015
For dog lovers
Vicky describes how she came upon Honeybun - a dog found on the street that needed love. Saving the dog taught her so many things - friendship, community character building, perseverance, unconditional love, gentleness. Through watching her daughter Asherel, train Honeybun she compared lessons with educating her own kids, expectations and rewards. She learned patience and mostly she learned to listen. The book gave great insight into how to train my own dog, keep him from barking , jumping and basically acting as a good dog always. I enjoyed the book and her insights..
Vicky describes how she came upon Honeybun - a dog found on the street that needed love. Saving the dog taught her so many things - friendship, community character building, perseverance, unconditional love, gentleness. Through watching her daughter Asherel, train Honeybun she compared lessons with educating her own kids, expectations and rewards. She learned patience and mostly she learned to listen. The book gave great insight into how to train my own dog, keep him from barking , jumping and basically acting as a good dog always. I enjoyed the book and her insights..
June 16, 2016
I'm a sucker for dog stories, so I started to read it. I was a little worried that her Christianity (with a CAPITAL C) would irk me, as I'm not religious, but I found she was not there to force her faith on the reader, but more to talk about her personal experience. She is also hilariously funny, and charmingly self deprecating. She doesn't want to take on this additional burden of a dog into her family, but she does. I love how she did her utmost to make this work for her daughter, and the dog and make it all work without breaking the family's limited budget and resources. I love that she could be humble enough to learn life lessons from this dog.
December 28, 2013
I found this book on my kindle, I am not sure how it got there...maybe a free download ( which I rarely do unless it is a classic). I decided to try it because it is about a rescue dog.it is nicely written in an amateur way, like someone's diary. But I felt like I was just listening to a acquaintance tell me about her dog. The prayers at the end of each chapter were not my cup of tea. So I stopped reading it. Too many great books in this big world! I don't think I would have given it two stars in the end, but I am a tough rather.
September 6, 2014
What a great take on a dog rescue story!
This is one of the best books I've read about dealing with dogs with "issues." It is laugh out loud funny and is also very touching without being self righteous. Anyone who has ever shared their life with a pet, regardless of the circumstances, will be able to relate to this family's journey from dealing with a starving and unpredictable stray to beloved family member. This story will stay with you long after you've read the last page. Great lesson in perseverance, faith and redemption.
This is one of the best books I've read about dealing with dogs with "issues." It is laugh out loud funny and is also very touching without being self righteous. Anyone who has ever shared their life with a pet, regardless of the circumstances, will be able to relate to this family's journey from dealing with a starving and unpredictable stray to beloved family member. This story will stay with you long after you've read the last page. Great lesson in perseverance, faith and redemption.
March 18, 2023
When not reading the erotic 50 Shades book, I'm reading this book about a crazy rescued dog and how to take down my own crazy rescued dog just to show him who's alpha and help keep order in my home. Weird...
Ended up liking this book. Lots of Christian references and the author writes entire prayers she's said, but otherwise she is a well-intentioned human being with a big heart. Nice to know other people out there like me who rescue the ill, infirm, and crazy dogs of this world.
Ended up liking this book. Lots of Christian references and the author writes entire prayers she's said, but otherwise she is a well-intentioned human being with a big heart. Nice to know other people out there like me who rescue the ill, infirm, and crazy dogs of this world.
June 4, 2014
The story about the dog herself was great. The religious aspect of the book was tiring. The author got on my nerves. You don't rescue animals to receive praise. You do it because you love animals and even right up to the end the author doesn't seem to get that. I also enjoyed the story including Malta, the real animal rescuer. I'm glad Honeybun found a caring home with a little girl who loved her greatly though.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews