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Come Running When I Call
Librarian note: alternate-cover edition of 9780692390122.
The door lay in shattered pieces scattered across the floor as my father flipped back his vest to reveal the gun he always carried. “I’m tired of you being so mouthy. You better learn to watch your tone with me.”
I stuck my face right in his, leaned in, and yelled at full volume. “Pull the gun!” There came a point when living no longer mattered. It didn’t matter if you lived or died, as long as the torment ended.
I never knew if it was Dad’s joy of intimidation, his apparent need to push the boundaries of society as far as possible, or his mental illness that brought him to that point in the spring of ’91.
But I knew what had brought me there. It all started on June 1 of 1979, when my mother drove me down to a neighbor’s of ours in rural Dayton, Maine to see a new-born foal and my life changed forever. At the ripe age of nine, I met and fell in love with the horse who would become my best-friend, alter-ego, and confidant for the next twenty-five years.
A gripping coming-of-age memoir about finding yourself, over-coming abuse, learning how to value and protect yourself and those you love, but most of all about the power of love and how it can change your destiny.
The door lay in shattered pieces scattered across the floor as my father flipped back his vest to reveal the gun he always carried. “I’m tired of you being so mouthy. You better learn to watch your tone with me.”
I stuck my face right in his, leaned in, and yelled at full volume. “Pull the gun!” There came a point when living no longer mattered. It didn’t matter if you lived or died, as long as the torment ended.
I never knew if it was Dad’s joy of intimidation, his apparent need to push the boundaries of society as far as possible, or his mental illness that brought him to that point in the spring of ’91.
But I knew what had brought me there. It all started on June 1 of 1979, when my mother drove me down to a neighbor’s of ours in rural Dayton, Maine to see a new-born foal and my life changed forever. At the ripe age of nine, I met and fell in love with the horse who would become my best-friend, alter-ego, and confidant for the next twenty-five years.
A gripping coming-of-age memoir about finding yourself, over-coming abuse, learning how to value and protect yourself and those you love, but most of all about the power of love and how it can change your destiny.
290 pages, Paperback
First published January 20, 2014
5 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Kimberly Sue McLaughlin
3 books9 followersI'm a Mainer born and bred, so if you ever have the occasion to meet me don't be surprised by the heavy Northern accent.
I've never been in a city bigger than Portland, Maine and I have no wish to. I'm a country person down past the bone into the very marrow of me. But even in the country, I don't fit the "normal" mold. I've never hunted animals with anything other than my camera, nor have I raised my own meat or planted a garden.
My seven acres of our great country has been given back to nature's hand with not even a lawnmower touching it in the last nine years. The wild grasses, blackberry, and raspberry patches have taken over and I watch the native animals enjoying them on a regular basis.
I write poetry, short stories for both children and adults, and science fiction for fun. But I've only ever written one book that could possibly change the world in a better way by allowing people to see how special and loyal horses are when they are raised with love. "Come Running When I Call" is my tribute to the most special horse in the world, Trixie, the silly filly and beautiful girl who changed my destiny for the better.
I've never been in a city bigger than Portland, Maine and I have no wish to. I'm a country person down past the bone into the very marrow of me. But even in the country, I don't fit the "normal" mold. I've never hunted animals with anything other than my camera, nor have I raised my own meat or planted a garden.
My seven acres of our great country has been given back to nature's hand with not even a lawnmower touching it in the last nine years. The wild grasses, blackberry, and raspberry patches have taken over and I watch the native animals enjoying them on a regular basis.
I write poetry, short stories for both children and adults, and science fiction for fun. But I've only ever written one book that could possibly change the world in a better way by allowing people to see how special and loyal horses are when they are raised with love. "Come Running When I Call" is my tribute to the most special horse in the world, Trixie, the silly filly and beautiful girl who changed my destiny for the better.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 10, 2015
A really lovely read, showing how much animals influence their owners lives, reading their emotions and helping them through hard times.
March 27, 2015
As an animal lover having just finished the story of Kim and Trixie's rare and beautiful bond, I am quite moved, filled with admiration for the amazing animal and the character of the strong girl-turned-woman. This perfectly titled novel not only shares the thrill a girl experiences when a horse comes running to you because of the special connection built through patience and love, but illustrates the nitty gritty reality of being responsible for a horse, from training and building trust, boarding and vet bills to the dynamics of a herd and other horse owners. And most importantly, the memoir follows a family challenged by mental illness and resulting abuse...and how having a horse helped save the girl's spirit. A powerful example of the therapeutic value of pets.
Enjoyed on Kindle--Nancy LiPetri
Enjoyed on Kindle--Nancy LiPetri
December 9, 2016
I absolutely loved this book! For any horse loving girl or woman. This brought back memories of my childhood. Being the youngest in 4H and being teased. Dealing with a step father who drank. I wasn't lucky enough to have my own horse, but I sure did dream of it.
My Mom bought me a signed copy of this book in Maine and mailed it to me here in Tennessee. I always love reading about my home state.
I hope to meet the author one day. I just feel like I want to give her a hug and thank her for telling her story!
My Mom bought me a signed copy of this book in Maine and mailed it to me here in Tennessee. I always love reading about my home state.
I hope to meet the author one day. I just feel like I want to give her a hug and thank her for telling her story!
May 14, 2015
Come Running When I Call is a memoir and well written. Kim and her horse, Trixie, is a wonderful story of a young girl and the horse she loves. You will laugh and cry while reading this story. This is a review that I'm having a hard time writing because of the emotions I'm feeling. If you love animals, and especially horses this book is for you.
February 14, 2017
A lovely memoir about a young girl who saves her nickles and dimes in hopes of buying a foal named Trixie. I found it amazing that Kim was able to realize her dreams after the owners of the colt couldn't sell her at auction and gave it to her. What was even more amazing was Kim lived with a mentally abusive father and that he allowed her to own the horse. Kim's incredible bond with her horse is the thing that most of us can only dream about. The relationship between Kim and Trixie allows her to survive her destructive father's personality while growing into a mature, responsible woman. A story of love, kindness, friendship and survival. A few Kindle editing errors, otherwise a 5.
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February 25, 2016kindle 290 memoir/animal
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews