Seven Dials Keira Me.

by Noel Fitzpatrick

'With you by my side, just doing my best was the best thing to do.'

Keira is an extraordinary dog. She held the key to Noel's heart from the moment he first met her.

That's because Keira doesn't judge. When Noel struggles, Keira is there to remind him he need only do his best. When he sees only darkness, Keira is ready to lift him back into the light.

Keira & Me is the real-life story of Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick, his companion Keira and their life together. It captures the incredible bond of unconditional love between us and our canine friends. Inspiring and healing in equal measure, this beautifully illustrated and deeply heartfelt story of Noel and Keira's journey together teaches us all how to embrace the ups with the downs, the joy and the sorrow, the darkness and the light, that make up a life.

For animal lovers everywhere, or anyone who needs a little comfort this Christmas, Keira & Me promises to break your heart and put it back together again - even better than it was before.

Genres: Animals, Nonfiction, Dogs, Graphic Novels

128 pages, Hardcover

Published October 26, 2023

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book that has helped me heal with the grief for my Eyebrow (Oscar the Border Terrier).
It felt like I was understood - the bond of unconditional love between ourselves and our furry four-legged companions.

I cried tears of grief and tears of happiness.
I smiled at the biscuits.

The most important thing? Love.
(don't forget the biscuits)

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bloody hell **aggressively wiping away tears**
If you need an emotional release read this. I am in pieces and I never cry over books. But be warned for those who have experienced pet death it is very triggering, however it is a beautiful book full of soul.

[Courtney Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really enjoyable book. The writing was creative and the illustrations were beautiful. It really shows that animals are more than just pets but are greatest companions in life and I think Noel demonstrates that perfectly. I recommend it to anyone who loves animals.

[Nikola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este libro contiene muchas emociones y un gran crecimiento personal, todo esto gracias a una perrita llamada Keira.

Me ha encantado, tanto las ilustraciones, como lo que explica Noel sobre su perrita, de cómo se acompañaban y aportaban en sus vidas, el amor incondicional y que, aunque nuestra vida sea efímera, los recuerdos y enseñanzas se quedan.

Personalmente creo que es un libro al que puedes volver a acudir en cualquier momento, de lo bonito que es, y, si pasas por una situación en que tu perro ya no esté contigo, te ayudará mucho, a mí me duele pensar que un día llegará el momento de decir adiós, pero también intento trabajar el hecho de disfrutar el tiempo actual con mis perros 🐶🐶

[Evelyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful ❤️

[Oriana Viglienghi · Rating 4 out of 5]

No puedo resistirme a los libros que hablen del amor más lindo de todos: el amor de un perro.

[Sara]

“Stiamo invecchiando, io e te. Passeggiamo lentamente. Ci sentiamo un po’ arrugginiti…ma sento la tua voce dirmi che la paura è la ruggine che lasciamo depositare sui sogni. E che siamo ciò che vogliamo diventare, non ciò da cui proveniamo.
Mi hai fatto sentire prezioso, mi hai trasmesso tutto l’affetto del mondo. Tu per me vali il mondo intero ed è il tempo stesso che mi dedichi a darmi la misura del mio valore.”

“L’amore incondizionato non ti dice cosa dovresti pensare, ti entra dentro, piuttosto, e ti chiede di mettere altro per far brillare di più la fiamma, qualcosa che solo la tua luce può aggiungere.
Tu mi hai insegnato che ci si può trovare solo se si cerca un modo per amare se stessi, perdonandosi per ciò che è successo.Hai bendato il mio dolore con il tuo amore. E mi hai aiutato a vedere il valore in ogni cosa, anche in una pallina da tennis infradiciata dalla pioggia.”

“Abbandonato sul tuo corpicino senza vita, piangevo su una voragine che nessuno avrebbe mai più ricolmato.”

“Ti vedo ogni giorno nella gentilezza delle persone, nella forza e nella compassione, nel dare e nel perdonare, e nell’amore, quando è incondizionato.
Perché quando il cuscino della notte scaccia via il giorno con la sua tenerezza la luce che ti spetta sta in tutto l’amore che hai donato.”

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading quite a few spooky season reads recently, I wanted to have something a little different. As a massive dog lover - as a child, we had a black Labrador, who I have never forgotten and miss to this day - it was more about the relationship between Noel and Keira that interested me, rather than being a fan of Noel. Suffice to say, this book brought me to tears, as I thought that it would.
The book is beautifully created. Noel's words are perfectly accompanied by illustrations from Laura McKendry. There are splashes of colour, but they are mainly black and white; they are all truly beautiful, perfectly bringing little Keira to life.

For anyone who has shared their life with a dog, this book perfectly highlights the depths of the feelings and the connection that people can share with their animals. Noel touches upon his personal struggles with life, and with his emotions, but shows how the friendship that he shared with his dog Keira saved him.

If you are an animal lover, this would make the perfect gift for you. Prepare to wrap up with this book, with a warm cuppa and plenty of tissues to hand. Incredibly sad but also life affirming, and very, very honest.

[Harbir · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't cried over a book in a long time.
Thank you.

This book resignated with me in my darkest time. I haven't been feeling 100% lately and a lot of things have gotten to me and I just feel I can't be enough for everyone?

This book made me realise its okay to not be okay. You cant have good days all the time.

My favourite quote is:

" I thought that if I gave all of my heart, all of the time, that would be enough. But this wasn't the world we signed up for anymore. Morals muddled by money. Love only valued when it is lucrative.

I lost respect for those I held in high esteem. I lost trust in those I thought I could rely on. They wanted what I gave them, but they didn't want me. Everybodybjas a price, they say. But I wasn't for sale. You understood that and stood by my side "

Recently, I've been feeling I'm giving a lot and receiving barely anything or even just recovering rudeness after I have been generous with my time and myself. This book made me realise its okay to say no.

Thank you

[Lindsey Storer (Mockridge) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brings such comfort, I’m currently enjoying every second with my old girl Roxy who’s 15 and I know our time is now short, she’s been with me through everything I remember the day I brought her into this world beside my granny when I was younger and stealing her away at night as a puppy for cuddles, she’s truly my best friend and this book has given me some peace of mind when the time comes, thank you Noel and Laura the illustrations are breath taking

[Ben Rasmin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This beautifully illustrated memoir isn’t always the most uplifting of reads and should come with a trigger warning for readers who, like myself, have experienced the total agony of saying goodbye to their dog. Nonetheless, Fitzpatrick demonstrates a solid understanding of the sacred relationship between a man and his best friend, meaning this sweet book elicits smiles aplenty.

[Graham Sillars · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, emotional, raw and pertinent! This lovely story reads almost like poetry.

Just lovely. Both the words and the artwork.

[caoimhebeag · Rating 4 out of 5]

will be reading this in times of darkness, thank you for my first cry of ‘24 noel

[Lorna Trevelion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book. Dogs really do hold such a special place in our hearts.

[Suzanne Lees · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a well written book. Had me in tears and certainly made you think. Kindness and love are the key.

[Kendelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only book to ever make me cry. Now I’m off to cuddle my best cat friend.

[Daphne’s bookcorner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Het is een ontzettend mooi geschreven boek. Ook de illustraties vind ik geweldig.
Mocht je het willen lezen raad ik je wel aan om een doos tissues klaar te zetten.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have never owned a dog but the truths this author talks about applies to everyone.

[ll_booklover · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5*

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

So beautiful! No matter how many times I see (thanks to re-runs of Supervet!) or read about the loss of Keira, I still end up sobbing, Noel's loss feels so huge. The art here is so amazing as well.

[Debbie Gough · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just cried.

[Daniela Solaroli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Molto commovente.....

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A year after losing little Jack, this felt like a warm hug <3

[Karen Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations. A wonderful tribute to Keira

[Ahmed Mokhtari · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Charlene ♡ Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreaking and warming all at the same time :-)

[Gueniver · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book recommended to me by a customer at the Library. It is something that is completely out of my usual reading style, but I adored it. It was a short read, with beautiful visuals throughout about pets shining into your darkest emotions and making a lasting impression. By the end, I had a few tears, especially on the last page where it says:
"I'm not scared of the darkness anymore. The key you hold opens so much more than a door, the light that was always there even when it was not. A love transcending space and time, death is but another door to endless possibilities. Like love without conditions, we don't need to understand just simply to accept what's meant for us will be there for us. For there is no fear when all is love, and love is all; As infinite as stardust."

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is beautiful, touching, and sad. What our pets are to us, his relationship with Kiera, the devotion, companionship, comfort, and love. The hope and resilience their relationship provides.

[Hannah stressedreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this gorgeous book about Noel and his dog Keira. Emotional and beautiful. If you liked Big Panda & Little Dragon or The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse, then I think you'll like this one.. but be warned.. it's sad 🥲

[Charlotte Hope · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very quick read, but enjoyable