The Leading Lady: Dinah's Story

by Betty White, Tom Sullivan

Emmy award-winning actress Betty White may be a hit on the popular sitcom The Golden Girls; Tom Sullivan, bestselling author of If You Could See What I Hear may have made his mark as a multitalented performer, songwriter, and lecturer—but the real star of this heartwarming story is an extraordinary dog named Dinah.

For nine years this beautiful golden retriever was Tom's best friend, his right arm—and his eyes. A world-class guide dog trained by the Leader Dog Foundation for the Blind, Dinah gave Tom, a man who has been blind since birth, his first real taste of independence. And she gave the entire Sullivan family—wife Patty, daughter Blythe, and son Tom, Jr.—unfaltering loyalty and love.

Together, Tom and Dinah traveled this entire country countless times, and she led him safely through crowded airport terminals, city traffic, strange hotels, and onstage performances.

But when Dinah reached the age of eleven, she began to lose her edge. Her eyes were no longer as sharp, her step not as sure. The once-assured guide dog became defensive and hesitant. Although Tom hated the idea of working with any dog but Dinah, it seemed to be his only choice, and Nelson, a black Labrador retriever, joined the family.

Dinah, however, was not ready to settle back into a life of leisure in the Sullivan household while an interloper took over her job and her master. She stopped eating, began hiding away, and simply gave up on life. Yet Dinah's story has a whole new beginning…and her name is Betty White.

In The Leading Lady, Tom and Betty, close friends for years who have become more like family thanks to their special golden girl, take turns talking about Dinah. Here is how the supercanine came into Tom's life; the hard work and frustration man and dog endured to become a team; and the adventures—some traumatic, some joyful—that cemented the bond between them. Here, too, is how Betty rescued this gallant lady in distress and how caring, courageous Dinah became a full-fledged member of Betty's family overnight, with a brand-new job to do. Most of all, here is the essence of Dinah, a dog who made a positive difference in every life she touched.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Animals, Biography Memoir, Inspirational, Dogs

235 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Betty White was an American five-time Emmy Award-winning film and television actress with a career spanning sixty years. She also appeared in radio programs, movies, theater, commercials, and was also a talk show and game show host. White is perhaps best known for her roles in the sitcoms The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Golden Girls.

Reviews

[Mom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this book as much as her other books but was still very entertaining. To be honest, I listened to this book on Audible just so I could hear her voice.

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh! This was our April 2019 face-to-face bookclub choice! Not bad but not WOW either! Easy read.
C

[Mai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dinah (like me!) is a red golden retriever and the retired guide dog for the MC Tom. Her transition from a busy working life to retirement is a difficult one. Seeing this once happy-go-lucky dog hiding under the bed for the entire day is heartbreaking, and it's a struggle for her to watch Tom with his successor dog Nelson, a peppy black lab. A lovely tale of how Betty White breathes new life into Dinah, and a testament to how much working dogs truly live (and love) to work. Warmly recommended. (But have tissues handy.)

[Aly Stratton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was not a planned read, however, I picked this book up in a used book store as my brother was picking our his read for his sail from Grenada to the East Coast inland passage next winter! By the time he was done, I had read the first several pages. I had to finish it!

This was a delightful book about a remarkable dog, as seeing eye guide, and her profound impact on the lives of many. Written from the perspective of two people, Betty White (of Golden Girls) and Tom Sullivan, Dinah's blind master , well known, TV personality, motivational speaker, singer, etc. Wonderful look into the live of a blind person, as well as the intense commitment by both master and guide. It is a wonderful reflection of the amazing bond between man and his best friend! It is an easy read, a delightful, uplifting break for most anything you might have read.

[D · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is written in two voices, Betty White's & Tom Sullivan's. I wish we could have heard from Dinah, the golden retriever guiding eye dog who led Tom thru his rising career in entertainment (musician, actor, writer). Each chapter is in either Betty's or Tom's voice. I came away liking Betty White all the more, but really being angry at Tom for not learning from his arrogant, selfish mistakes he keeps making. He would claim to have learned his lesson, yet two chapters later he would write about making yet a similar error - and not noticing that he really hadn't learned. Arrgh!

[Munchie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful read and I'm happy to see others are saying so as well about this book. For one, Betty White is in it and I picked this up from the goodwill since it was in the pet reads section. So it peaked my interest. But then I learned that Tom who wrote this book with Betty, is a blind man and was born blind. While most focus was about his special dog Dinah who went to live with Betty for her retirement years as an ex seeing eye dog, I was surprised to learn about Tom, what he does, where he goes and how he hears the world and navigates it.

The book was a gentle read. Something was so familiar about the writing yet I've never read any stories from Betty White before. It honestly felt good, the chapters flowed pretty well and I couldn't put the book down except for when it was bedtime and I had to.

I felt like I learned a lot about Dinah, Nelson, and the Sullivan's along with a little history of Betty. I'd recommend this book to those who want a relaxing read, those that are a fan of Betty and those who are animal lovers and those who need something refreshing that makes you think about how great being alive is, and the joys it brings us. Especially if you live with animals.

[Stephanie Pieck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tom Sullivan's first guide dog was a golden retriever named Dinah. She did her job with class and style, and the bond of love between her and Tom was unshakable. But when she could no longer work and Tom got another guide dog, Dinah decided she would die of a broken heart. Tom knew he had to do something for her. But what?
Betty White was a longtime family friend, and she offered to try taking Dinah into her home. This binok is the story of how Dinah, a leading lady in so many ways, gave her heart to a new person and, in the process, gave her an extended human family.
Sullivan and White were highly successful in music, film, and telivision. Yet the book they wrote together is not a glittery, glitzy showbiz affair. It is honest, sensitive, and compelling. It is a rare gift when two people so much in the public eye reveal themselves with courage and compassion, showing themselves as members of the human race with as many joys and sorrows as anyone else. Dinah was a brilliant guide dog, but Sullivan is clear she was no superhero. Whether you share your life with a guide dog or a pet canine, the authors' portrayal of the unconditional love and acceptance our dogs give us will resonate deeply.

[Khanh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. Maybe more of a 2.5. Someone who loves dogs and has a fascination for guide dogs might find this an interesting read. I'm not part of that audience since I am all too familiar with them, having had six in the last 25 years as well as experience training them. I found the writing kind of boring, though the story by itself was OK. I did kind of blink when Betty talked about working Tom's retired guide in harness… Why is she working this retired guy dog in harness?
The story feels like it was severely edited and sensationalized for people to read because there are some huge inaccuracies, not only because of the time the events took place.
Overall, definitely not one of my favorite books, but not terrible either. I would have invested in the story more had the writing not been so... mushy.

[Ladie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed Betty White's voice in this book. As usual her love of animals shone through. Her cats and her dogs including Dinah, were so fortunate to share her love and her life. I tried hard to like Tom Sullivan, but whether through his own words, Betty's, his wife Patty's or his adult children's, he came across as self-involved and lacking in empathy for others including Dinah and Nelson, the two guide dogs who helped him so much. I actually stopped reading the book for a month or more when he was so heartless toward poor Dinah, overworking her by making her run in he heat for way too long without any water. He was inexperienced, to be sure, but his main goal that day and on many other occassions seemed to be to prove that he, a blind man, could physically outdo most sighted men. He did similar things with his wife, and I just found him astonishingly arrogant and self-agrandizing at the expense of others. Betty White was one in a million, a person greatly to to be admired. Tom Sullivan, not so much.

[Janice Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this book on Audible. I’ll be honest the only reason I selected this book was because of Betty White. But if I had to pick my top three books of all times, this book would edge its self right into the top three knocking out one of my other three. This book is for dog lovers everywhere. This book is for people who really need a clear understanding about what it’s like to be a blind person. This book is for those who love Betty White, and want a glimpse into what her personal life was like. This book was amazing and I am so thankful that I just selected it on a whim.

[Steph]

~ Sometimes, when we have reached a certain age, we find it takes more time to get our engines started each day.

~ People with sight cannot look at anyone or anything for long without losing concentration. It is the opposite for someone without sight. 

~ Trust your children. Trust that if you rear them effectively and give them the tools to work with, they'll find their own direction in life.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dinah is Tom Sullivan's seeing eye dog. When she is forced to retire due to failing vision, she becomes depressed. Tom turns to his friend Betty White to take in Dinah and give her new purpose. A must read for dog lovers.

[Lilia Callum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by two absolutely fabulous authors, this book is told from the point of view of the blind man who had loved and depended on the guide dog and from the amazing actress who adopted the dog in its retirement. Entertaining, educating, and inspiring!

[Raymond · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is supposedly a narrative about a guide dog for a blind celebrity (Tom Sullivan, whom I do not have any awareness) but sadly it is more about the insensitivity, arrogant and blase performance of that individual.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feel good book that helps understand the struggles of blind people and the process of guide dog training. This book isn't about that, but mainly about the relationship people and their animals, even service animals, have.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread this old book in memory of Betty White, and although it’s not brilliant, it’s extremely entertaining and lovely. Be prepared to cry if you’ve ever loved a dog. The story makes you realize how intelligent, intuitive and loyal a dog can be.

[iteachfunkidsgmail.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perspective

I recommend this book to everyone. This book made me realize sighted can be a hindrance to other senses. I'll take time to appreciate and hone the others. Especially, I will appreciate today, the people, and the dogs/animals I'm blessed to share it.

[Katlyn Casagrande · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved loved loved this book!!! Great story about an amazing dog that reminds us what incredible things dogs can do. Betty and Tom are warm and funny and inviting in their writing and the book is a pleasure to read.

[Sunshine Mares · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Betty White. I love dogs. 💘

[Krisi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read about some terrific people & canines.

[Rima · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed thoroughly

Very enjoyable. Understanding a working dog and owner relationship was interesting to read. The chapter that talked about time in the zoo was fascinating.

[Nishi Giefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding story, well-written by two very witty and well-rounded humans about several fabulous canines and especially one leading lady.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the dogs! The book not so much.

[Isolde Oneil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice story. Fast read but educational.

[Neona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just for the heart of it

[Kelsey Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real tear-jerker. Beautiful book

[Joe Rodeck · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much I’m-a-big-star Tom Sullivan and not enough dog.

[Ione · Rating 5 out of 5]

2 amazing people + 1 amazing dog = a fantastic book.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4+

[Megalion · Rating 5 out of 5]

An older book but a very good one. Written from two perspectives. One is of Tom Sullivan, who is the blind man getting his first service dog, Dinah. The other is of Betty who is a long time friend of Tom's. Her husband was still alive when they met and became friends.

Her perspective is to share the outside point of view, Tom's success in adapting around his blindness and the difference she could see when he got Dinah. But more importantly, when Dinah's retirement came, works out that Dinah moved in with Betty. And her appreciation for Dinah fills out the rest of her perspective.

A really good memoir. You get an inside view of what it is like to be a very active musician, frequently traveling, and blind. The struggle it can be to adapt to having a service dog. The level of training that goes into making a service dog. Dog psychology. A good sense of Betty White, the person, not the celebrity.

A cornucopia of themes, likely to contain something for everyone.