Collie Hair Soup

by Amanda Sheridan

There are dog people and there are cat people. And then there is me. I’m both.
I’ve had dogs and cats in my life since I was a baby. I’ve loved and said goodbye to many dogs and cats over the years. I hate that I’m sans cats and I have two collies at present but they will probably be our last dogs.
The cover photo is my Lassie. My darling girl.
But each and every one holds a special place in my heart. they gave love unconditionally and it was returned unconditionally.
This little book is all about them.

137 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 13, 2024

About the author

I live on the beautiful Ards peninsula in Northern Ireland with my husband and our two rough collies.
I'm an avid fan of motorcycle racing (MotoGP and WSB) and Formula 1, having attended 33 live F1 races at various circuits in Europe. over the last 20+ years.
Reading has always been a hobby of mine and I love nothing better than escaping into the world between the pages. A couple of years ago, the seed of an idea came to me. I ran with it, purely for fun, and Rapid Eye Movement was born. Out of that came The Dreaming.
Dream Catcher, the final book in the trilogy was published in June 2022, and Bad Dreams - a Rapid Eye Movement spin-off is now available.
Collie Hair Soup, published in November 2024, is my personal account of all the rough collies and cats that have shared my life over the years. The cover image is my current rough collie - Lassie.

Reviews

[Ricardo Medina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Lovely Memoir About Pets

I borrowed this book thanks to the Kindle Unlimited subscription that I share with my girlfriend, and I read it between my tablet and phone using the Kindle app.

I have previously read books by this author, but this one is different from what she usually writes, action thrillers. This book is a memoir of the pets she has had—mostly dogs and cats. The author has owned several Collies (if you remember Lassie, then you’ll know what kind of dog this is), and one by one, she shares anecdotes about each of them. She tells everything with such love for her pets that you will be hooked.

The author accompanies the stories with pictures of every dog she has owned, which perfectly complement the text.

For cat lovers, she also shares stories about the different cats she has had.

A quick and lovely read for animal lovers.

[Choyang · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Collie Hair Soup' written by Amanda Sheridan (Kindle) (with photos)

I love dogs, especially big dogs, so for me this was an entertaining read; all the color photos were a nice bonus!
Of course, when you have animals/pets living with you there's always joy and humor (and sometimes annoyance, lol) mixed with sadness when it's their time to cross over out of this life and into wherever their journey next takes them.

It was cool that the author also included their cats in the book, too; the feral cats were a nice surprise!

Engaging story, although I would have liked more storylines involving the pets as there wasn't enough sustance to the book to assuage my curiosity!

[Sarah Jacobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a touching read. This memoir is a love letter from an animal lover to the many dogs and cats that own a piece of her heart, and it is wonderful. A beautifully written book full of memories, facts and some lovely poems. I thoroughly enjoyed this read, and I would recommend to any animal lover. Reading this took me on my own journey down memory lane and I loved it.

[James Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a delight to read. It’s a trip down memory lane for author Amanda Sheridan regarding her life as the owner of many dogs and cats over the span of decades. If you are a cat or dog owner, you will relate to the stories told in each chapter regarding the joy of pet ownership, with a definite hint that maybe the pets own us instead.
There are heart-warming stories, tragic stories, a few beautiful photos, and some though-provoking poems included.
This book is a most entertaining read. It’s short and can be read even in one sitting. I enjoyed it very much, read it in a couple of sittings, and I highly recommend it.

[Marcia Clayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful read for any animal lover and the author’s love for her pets comes across strongly. I can identify with this as I was also a farmer’s daughter, and we had two working collies called Lassie and Buster and I miss them to this day. We also had a tabby cat (one of many) called Riley. The book has many snippets and stories to keep the reader entertained and I read this well-written book in a couple of sittings. An enjoyable read.

[Tracey Gerrard · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re an animal lover, Collie Hair Soup by Amanda Sheridan is for you.
Amanda has done an amazing job of putting together a book any dog, cat or animal owner can relate to. It spans decades of keeping family pets—each story relatable. I laughed and may have shed a tear while reading about the author’s decades-long love for her dogs and cats. After having many dogs myself it was easy to picture the antics that each one got up to and the emotions that tear at your heart when they are hurt or when it’s their time to leave us. Animals have a habit of making us laugh—I know mine did—and reading this, I know Amanda and her family did too.
I especially loved reading about Ross the little sneak thief—now that did bring back many memories. Mum’s false teeth 😂 (You’ll need to read it) I’ve never had cats, but Carlos (Syd) had me laughing out loud even if he was a bit mean.
This book has many stories, photos and poems each devoted to Amanda’s dogs or cats. It is very well-written and thoroughly entertaining. I loved it. Highly recommend!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Amanda Sheridan has taken a break from her works of fiction to record this beautiful factual account of her real-life relationship with her pets over the years, from her childhood to the present day. There’s a wide range of animal friends with whom people choose to share their homes, but leaving the others out of the equation, we tend to divide roughly into dog people or cat people. For Amanda, however, there’s no such division—she loves both, along with the wealth of other creatures alongside whom she grew up on the farm kept by her parents.

As well as goldfish, rabbits, guinea pigs there were ducks, geese, chickens and cows, including Friendly, a young bullock. Then there was Mojaf, the pony, on whom the author learned to ride bareback, and even a pair of peafowl and their offspring.

Then there were the dogs. From the much-loved ‘Sheila’ Shelties and Midge the Schipperke of her youth, Amanda grew to find a love for Rough Collies, which became her breed of choice throughout her adult life. There was Ross, followed by Lucy, then the second Ross and later Kim, leading at last to Riley and Lassie.

On the feline front we’re kept entertained by Sooty and Smokey, Frank—aka The Black Panther—and Darkie, aka Dark. Sheba and her kitten Sooty—aka Bertha—followed by another Smokie, Holly and Ying. And then there was Carlos—bad cat, and wasn’t he just—not to mention Fluffy, the feral cat who adopted the author.

It would be easy to make a memoir such as this one of pure happiness, and there were many happy times—but also some distressing ones, highlighting the fact that outcomes aren’t always good, despite the human half of the relationship doing their absolute best. There’s a discussion of the genetic condition known as MDR1, which affects a high proportion of Rough Collies and which can be fatal if undiagnosed.

The author has included a mention of how her mother had more Shelties in later life—another Sheila and her puppy Senna—and has even written a few poems dedicated to the dogs who have shared her life—one of which gives its title to this book.

Despite her clear love for her many pets expressed in these pages, the author is realistic over the fact that her current two collies, Lassie and Riley, will probably be her last. There’s so much love and joy to be found in the relationships between humans and their pets, but the burden of responsibility lies with the human, who needs to be fit and in good health to care correctly for their furry—or similar—friends. It’s clear she’d never want any of her animals to be amongst those who require rehoming when their human passes away before them, so given her age she’s willing to forgo the pleasure of any further friendships to avoid causing potential distress to them. She personifies the role of animal lover, as well as the old adage of a dog—or any other pet—being for life, not just for Christmas. To this end she’s also included links to various websites helpful to dog owners.

If any of the above sounds like you then it’s likely you’ll enjoy reading Amanda’s memories of her much-loved four-legged friends—and I recommend it.

[Onia Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Collie Hair Soup by Amanda Sheridan is a beautifully sweet book, cataloging the author’s pets and her love for animals and family.
There are dog people and there are cat people. Amanda Sheridan is both!
A lovely memoir of growing up with pets. So wholesome and great fun. A book for any and every age. I love Lucy with the bone story!

[Lucas W Mayberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a memoir of the author’s life but told with emphasis on the dogs or cats she had throughout her life. If you are an animal person who has lived with pets all your life you will find this relatable and so familiar. I’ve read the author’s REM series and I did wonder how her writing style would translate to non fiction but she manages to pull off another great read. I especially liked the poems and the cute photos of the author’s pets.

[Vicky Peplow · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book!

This is one of the most beautiful books I've read, and it has two of my favorite animals (cats and dogs.) OH, it has a great author, too.
I love the history that the author shares as I can relate to it. It was beautifully written, and I did have some chuckles and tears here and there. I highly recommend this book. Well done.

[E.K. Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

Collie Hair Soup is a delightful and heart-warming collection of stories about the many animals the author has loved and lived with - from mischievous dogs and elegant peacocks to a seemingly endless parade of cats.

The tales are incredibly relatable for any animal lover, capturing everything from muddy paw prints on freshly made beds and chewed-up belongings to the heartbreak of loss and the panic of sudden medical emergencies. Early in the book there’s also some background on the breeds featured, which adds a nice informative touch.

It's such a lovely idea to write a book about all the animals that have shaped your life, and the author does it with warmth and humour. Some parts are genuinely moving, and I really appreciated the personal photos included - they added even more character to the stories.

A charming, funny, and sometimes sad tribute to the animals that leave paw prints on our hearts.

[A.J. SAUNDERS · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read about the author’s pets – mainly the cats and dogs she owned over the years since a child.
Some parts were happy, others sad, especially when the time comes for our furry friends to leave the world.
I understand the need for the author to write this memoir – it felt like a therapy – her need not to forget her beloved pets.
A book written from the heart, which I’m sure all animal owners will be able to relate to.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely read! This is beautifully written and shows such a lot of love from the author for her many pets over the years. Some parts are emotional, but we all knew it would be. Why can’t pets just live longer, eh?

Some lovely photographs are featured in the book, and paired with Amanda Sheridan’s flowing, engaging style, this was a real pleasure to read.

[Leroy Malloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda Sheridan's "Collie Hair Soup" is a tender and engaging memoir that warmly invites readers into the author's lifelong companionship with a delightful menagerie of dogs and cats, particularly her beloved collies. Through a collection of heartfelt anecdotes, charming photographs, and poignant poems, Sheridan lovingly preserves the memories of her cherished pets, capturing the unique personalities and unconditional love that each brought into her life. The narrative gently weaves through lighthearted moments, such as the amusing inspiration behind the book's title and an ode to the ubiquitous presence of dog hair, and more touching reflections on the deep emotional connections formed with these animal companions, resonating deeply with anyone who has experienced the profound bond with a pet. Sheridan skillfully highlights the distinct characteristics of cats and dogs, offering relatable and often humorous observations that will strike a chord with fellow animal lovers, from the independent nature of felines to the unwavering devotion of canines. Beyond the personal stories, the book also shares interesting tidbits, such as the origins of Shetland Sheepdogs and Collies, adding an unexpected layer of informative charm to the personal recollections. Readers will find themselves drawn into the author's world, experiencing the joys of playful antics, the comfort of quiet companionship, and the inevitable heartache of saying goodbye. The inclusion of photographs throughout the book serves to further endear the reader to Sheridan's furry family, providing visual snapshots of the beloved animals who inspired these heartfelt memories. The interspersed poems offer moments of reflection and emotional depth, adding another layer to the author's tribute. While some might initially perceive this as a deeply personal journey, the universality of the love for pets shines through, making it a relatable experience for any animal enthusiast. "Collie Hair Soup" ultimately stands as a beautifully crafted tribute to the enduring joy and indelible paw prints that our animal companions leave on our hearts, making it a comforting and thoroughly entertaining read for all who understand the extraordinary connection between humans and their furry friends.

[Anita Dow · Rating 4 out of 5]

A warm and endearing memoir on the highs and lows of dog and cat ownership
Having read Amanda Sheridan's Rapid Eye Movement series of mystery thrillers, I was intrigued to find this memoir recalling the dogs and cats significant in her life. Collie Hair Soup is a warm and cozy read, whether you're a pet owner already or if you've yet to become one. It also gave me some wonderful insights into the real world of an author whose work I'm familiar with. As an owner of multiple and various pets my whole life, I identified with some of the funny, sad and heart-warming scenarios that the author recalls with her puppies and kittens and older rescues. It was really interesting to learn more about the 'Lassie' breed of dogs that have dominated Amanda's family life from a very young age, and at the back of the book there are some useful websites for finding out more about the Rough Collie and Shetland Sheepdog breeds.

It was actually Ms Sheridan's brother's idea for her to commemorate the lives of the family pets in a book, and I really enjoyed the anecdotes and the straightforward style of writing. The narrative is laid out mostly in chronological chapters, so the reader experiences the overlap when a much-loved elderly pet is followed by a younger one, and most of the time there is more than one dog or cat in the family. Each dog or cat character carves its own place and author Sheridan conveys this in an understated and heartfelt way without undue sentiment that I found quite endearing. I think this little memoir gives non-pet owners an honest look at the highs and lows – and responsibilities – of living with dogs and cats, and would make a lovely gift.

[Arnold Klemmenzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda Sheridan's "Collie Hair Soup" is a sweet little memoir about her pet collies through the years, with some asides to cover some of her cats. It is a feel-good ode for animal lovers -- all of whom will quickly relate to the joys and agony of living with beloved animal creatures (they say a good dog only breaks your heart once, but the same applies to any pet).

The best parts of the book for me were, first, learning more about collies. Dog breeds can be so distinctive so it was nice to get a great overview of this breed (and a cousin breed). Second, the slice of life vignettes between pets and owners gave a nice insight into life in the United Kingdom. Third, Amanda Sheridan knows how to write and edit, so the pace and content are brisk and compelling. The only modest complaint is that coverage on some of the animals is pretty light, possibly because memory has faltered over the years.

I had a beagle that knew he was not supposed to dig, but he could not resist ... because he was a beagle. His punishment for digging was to swim a lap in the pool, which he hated. Over time, if the beagle had been digging while I was away at work, he would look at me sheepishly when I got home, and without any prompt he would go to the basement door to the backyard, wait for me to open it for him, and immediately jump in the pool and swim a lap. What a dog. This is the book for people who love their pet's quirks.

[Caroline Hurry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t often cry while reading, but Collie Hair Soup had me laughing through tears more times than I can count. Amanda Sheridan has captured what every animal lover knows - that our pets are chapters in our life story, etched into memory with muddy pawprints, clumps of fur, and endless, unconditional love.
Sheridan writes with warmth, humour, and the kind of insight that only comes from decades of living with both cats and dogs - the aloof midnight opera singers, the sofa-hogging worshippers, the unexpected heroes who can sense danger before we can. The ‘gas left on' anecdote was amazing! Cats have more answers than we have questions – they know stuff, for sure!!
These are warm tales of family, grief, joy, and resilience. From the wardrobe-born kittens to the blind but brave Holly, from the cheeky Carlos who terrorized a gentle collie to the poignant reflections on the “last dogs” of later life, every page feels deeply lived and so relatable.
Like the author, I grew up with a mum who believed every dog should have one litter before being spayed, and like the author, I’ve loved and lost animals who’ve left indelible marks on my heart.
To read Collie Hair Soup is to understand exactly what it means to measure your life not by years, but by the dogs and cats who’ve shared them.
This book celebrates loyalty, eccentricity, grief, and the bittersweet joy of knowing that every pet is both a beginning and an inevitable goodbye. I adored it.

[Sal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Those who have owned pets over the years will appreciate Collie Hair Soup by Amanda Sheridan, a book that is heartfelt, fun-loving, and poignant at times. She wrote the book to preserve the memories of her past pets.

This woman has had her share of animals over the years, in part because she lived on a farm growing up. Dogs and cats have been prevalent in her life, and there were also hens, cows, rabbits, guinea pigs, “the obligatory goldfish,” and a pony.

Sheridan keeps things lighthearted and humorous and deftly goes over those obvious differences between cats and dogs. She also relates a bit of history at the start, sharing how Shetland Sheepdogs and Shetland Collies came about.

But it’s the personal stories and descriptions of Sheridan’s own pets that will likely tug at heartstrings the most. Their Sheltie named Sheila was “a sweet-natured, dainty little dog with a big heart and a loyalty that was boundless.” Sheila was also a protective little thing. Many of us think of our dogs this way or have other ways we lovingly describe them.

The book has good pictures of past pets and a few poems to break up the prose. Some might feel this is the type of stuff best kept in a journal or shared via a blog, but the beauty of writing books these days is we can all pretty much share whatever we want.

[Elle Sie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun title, and I'm a sucker for animal stories, so this book was a good pick. The memoir focused on all the pets that Sheridan had enjoyed the company of over the years, and although some of the stories ended with sadness as the animal companions passed, many were quirky anecdotes, some of which were educational too. I learned for example that horseriding instructors can tell if someone has learned to ride bareback as they hook their feet under the horse's belly, and I was also unaware that dogs could have false pregnancies, a fascinating fact. The story about Lucy the collie was very sweet, including her protectiveness over a toy Santa, which she felt was a pup she had birthed. The photos accompanying each of the chapters devoted to Sheridan's pets added some cuteness-factor to the memories. Amanda has a lively writing style that showed in this memoir, just as it did in her Rapid eye movement quadrilogy, and it was lovely to read a very different book from her fiction.

[Vanessa Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

All dog lovers will love this book! Particularly collie lovers, which includes this reader, though mine are Border rather than Rough collies.

Collie Hair Soup is a gem of a short memoir that sketches vivid pictures of the numerous collies and cats who have been part of the author’s life. It’s well written, interesting, informative and very moving in parts. The reader is left with a warm feeling of knowing both the author and all her animals, past and present. There is also a strong sense of place in the descriptions of the various houses and homes. And flashes of humour that will resonate with those who have owned cats and dogs — for example, the title and the author’s ‘Ode to Dog Hair’ on the same theme, and this cameo of dogs that occurs early in the narrative: ‘They worship the ground you walk on. They also covet the sofa you’re sitting on, but that’s normal.’

The book is beautifully illustrated with stunning colour photos of the cast of canine and feline stars.

This is the first book I’ve read by Amanda Sheridan and I’m now looking forward to trying her fiction also.

[Gill D. Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Collie Hair Soup" is a heart warming memoir that provides insight into Amanda Sheridan's relationships and special connection with her beloved dogs and cats over her life span. Amanda has a special relationship in particular with her Collie dogs which is evident throughout. Through the use of touching poems, photos and amusing incidents, the author pays tribute to her furry friends past and present which will resonate with animal lovers who understand the deep connection between humans and their pets.

I loved how the author recalled the quirks and personalities of her many pets over the years, noting that one can never be sure what behaviours to expect from our furry friends as they are all so different. The book is also educational, covering the origins of Shetland Sheepdogs and Collies of which I was unaware. This is a wonderful tribute to the authors pets , both past and present and will deeply resonate with animal lovers all over the world. I have also enjoyed the author's fiction novels and highly recommend all of her books.

[Tim O'Shaughnessy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many years I would pass the home of a Rough Collie on the way home from primary school. He would come to the gate at the bottom of his garden and would let me stroke him for a bit. That started a lifelong love of dogs, although I still haven't owned one. I'm told we are a cat household... Instead I get to borrow other people's and read lots of eBooks about looking after dogs in preparation for the big Gotcha day.
So when I saw this book, I couldn't resist, even though Rough Collie's probably aren't my favourite breed anymore. There are so few of them around it seems.
The stories of the many dogs and cats that the author has owned are nicely balanced. The good times and the sad times both get reflected and it's sad that pure breeds like the Rough Collies are susceptible to health conditions.
I might follow Andrea's example and write about our own 3 generations of cats before the memories fade too much.

[Joan Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I suspect that this is the kind of book that some people will love, but which may well leave others, particularly non-pet owners, cold. There must be very few of us who have owned pets, who will fail to identify with many of Amanda Sheridan’s experiences over the many years that she has kept both cats and dogs as pets. She follows the years from when as a child, they kept their first pets, up until the present day. During that time, she has remained fiercely loyal to the Shetland Collie, and traces the history of this breed. She gives us her pets’, names and builds up their characters; charts their illnesses and treatments; and finally writes movingly about their births and deaths. At times she makes one smile, at other times one feels tearful along with her. Perhaps I might have liked a little more of the humour she displays in the earliest pages. This book is hardly sensational, but rather a gentle appraisal of what it is like to be an utterly dedicated pet-owner.

[Sally A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Collie Hair Soup by Amanda Sheridan is a lovely collection of stories about the author’s pet dogs and cats since those her family had during her childhood growing up on a farm, to her present day pets. It is a lovely preservation of memories of these beloved members of her family. Interestingly, my parents have had the same breed of dog repeated every 12-14 years or so for the past 50 years, so I can understand how the memories get muddled – which dog was it that tracked mud all over the freshly dried laundry? Which one ate al the socks? So this is a lovely collection for the author to write down the wonderful memories of each of the dogs and cats. It is both funny and emotional, but the author clearly has a lot of love for all of her beloved creatures. There are some lovely photographs scattered throughout too.

[Jane Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Collie Hair Soup, by Amanda Sheridan.

It’s hard to lose a pet.
This is a very moving story about love and loss. And a fitting tribute to author, Amanda Sheridan’s beloved dogs. A heartwarming, yet, often tense and difficult read at times which reveal the intimate details of each of her dog’s happy love-filled life, and into their old age.

I could empathise completely, having lost a beloved dog myself. Praise and respect to the author for tackling a difficult subject with such honesty, compassion and candour.

[D.G. Torrens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a delightful read. A true story of all the pets the author has had throughout her life thus far. It was beautifully funny, sad at times, when the animals pass, but that is part of all animal lovers journeys. Loved Lucy's story! And it was filled with some great facts, too. A lovely read that I highly recommend especially for animal lovers.

[Amanda Sheridan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm proud of this little book. It was something I wanted to write for ages as a tribute to my collies, and cats, over the years.

[Christine Townes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed how the author Amanda wrote about her and her family's experiences with both dogs and cats. I like how she incorporated background information on the type of breeds and include pets birth names , birth dates and how long they lived. The stories were lighthearted and fun