WINGDOG: Soul Pup

by Janelle Jalbert

Angels do indeed come in fur suits.

It's love at first sight...for both of them. An abandoned yet tenacious pup with one blue eye and one brown eye beats the odds and is enlisted as one woman's WINGDOG. It's a role he takes seriously, but he knows that his human needs more than just another set of eyes and ears. He must show her how to laugh and how to love again. His loyalty knows no bounds, and he takes his duties seriously riding shotgun as the pair travel life's highway.

A dog may be man's best friend, but the truth is...A WINGDOG is truly a woman's gift.

For readers who enjoy contemporary canine classics such as MARLEY & ME, THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN, and A DOG'S PURPOSE, Janelle Jalbert's 'Magical Mutt Memoir' combines the best of these storytelling traditions. Told as a memoir - adhering to how events unfolded - one woman seeks establish a new life after moving across the country from California to North Carolina.

Her chance at a new normal arrives in the form of Goose, a pup that melts not only her heart but also the hearts of everyone that he meets. As they travel coast-to-coast and places in between, the bond that the two share proves that love and loyalty can transcend even the greatest of obstacles.


WINGDOG: SOUL PUP is a heart-warming, emotional - and oftentimes comical - tale of how one pup becomes the consummate WINGDOG only to transform into the ultimate Soul Pup.

Janelle Jalbert is the award-winning author of TRIANGULATING BLISS (Medalist Cross-Genre Fiction in the 2015 New Apple Book Awards) and FLASH 40: Life's Moments (Silver Medal for Anthologies in the 2015 Readers' Favorite International Book Awards). Her latest release, WINGDOG: Soul Pup, A Magical Mutt Memoir, continues the tradition of celebrating the 'Magic in Everyday Life'. This time Janelle introduces us to a pup that takes on the world.

Genres: Memoir, Animals, Nonfiction

366 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2016

About the author

Janelle Jalbert is an author of tales that promote the “Magic of Everyday Life”. Her latest release, TRIANGULATING BLISS, is a tale of living life to the fullest as part of THE MYSTIQUE OF LIVING SERIES. Janelle's next release is WINGDOG: SOUL PUP, a 'magical mutt memoir' which is a project close to her heart. She also has ghostwritten more than a dozen books, on a range of topics, for clients around the world and has worked as a copywriter for major international corporations. During her ten year tenure as a teacher, Janelle also worked as a motorsports reporter along with other pursuits. She currently resides in Southern California but is prone to wanderlust when her pack of pups allows it.

Reviews

[Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book and I though the concept was good and the individual chapters were ok however I struggled to finish the book. I understand giving your pet a voice and interpreting gestures, I do that for my pets, however I felt she took this a little too far, reading too much into actions and assuming too much. Part way through the book I started to wonder if it was a children's story because of the simplistic way everything was told and I have decided that it is probably a good book to read with a child and easy to pick up one or two chapters per night.
I believe Janelle had a really good story as the dog had a huge impact on her life and helped her heal from numerous traumas however these only get mentioned in passing so we don't learn the full significance of the pup to her life. I wonder if expanding on her life as a whole would have made the story more one I could identify with.
I also found it got quite repetitive in the middle. It would have been a good novella. That said, the actually story is nice.
This book is probably more suited to someone who enjoys an easy read and only reads 1-2 chapters per day.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written, special tribute for dog lovers. Goose will warm your heart, make you chuckle, and maybe make you cry. A touching character study of two souls--one human, one canine--who seem brought together for mysterious and magical reasons.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goose was a charmer. As I turned the pages of WingDog Soul Pup: A Magical Mutt Memoir my love for him grew. His "mom" and the author of the bookk, Janelle Jalbert, captured that loving feeling that so many of us share for our own special doggie soulmates. One of my sweet Goldens actually has a godpuppy mother.

Goose was named after Tom Cruise's co-pilot in the movie Top Gun. The adventures that Goose and Janelle share while traveling cross country and up and down the east coast make his co-pilot's nickname appropo. On these pilgrimages, I was amazed at their innate abilities to sense what danger lurked.

Goose was a Boxer, Aussie Shepherd, Jack Russel Terrier mix. The ancestry of this lost and found pup was determined through D.N.A testing. This gave Janelle some insight into what to expect from her new-found friend.

I was amused when Janelle described the following experience.
"Around seven, we headed back to Tom's dad's place for a quiet last evening before Goose and I got on the road back to Charlotte. I camped on the floor with Goose since he wasn't allowed on any furniture and couldn't understand why he had been banished to the floor for the past week." (p. 164)

I could easily relate to Janelle's experience. Our two Goldens accompanied us on a visit to see family. As we unpacked the car, we were told that the dogs would not be allowed upstairs where all of the bedrooms were located. I unpacked all of the comforters from the back seat of the car and spent our visit sleeping downstairs on the floor with the dogs. They were used to sleeping by our bed at night and this house was unknown territory. Only a dog-lover would understand.

The experience of reading WindDog Soul Pup was like giving myself a big hug. I was engulfed in the warmth and friendship of Goose and Janelle. Give yourself a treat and pick up a copy to read. If you are a dog-lover, this memoir will bring back many fond memories of the times spent with your own special co-pilots.

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay the first thin I want to say about this book is that the cover has the cutest picture of Goose. I found Wingdog to be a really great book for any dog lover. There were times where I could totally understand what Janelle Jalbert was thinking and doing with Goose. I have my own rescued puppy who is very intelligent and I found that a lot of similarities between Goose and my own dog. The book does a great job with showing the true wonder it is to have a canine companion or a "wing dog". If you are looking for a book with some sort of fast paced plot then keep looking. This book is a series of stories about Janelle Jalbert and Goose. The stories have life lessons mixed in and humor. I really enjoyed how Janelle Jalbert who write about what she though Goose was thinking/saying at points through out the book. If you have a dog then you will understand to. I could really picture what Goose would look like through out the book as the language was very descriptive. This memoir book was unique from the memoirs I have read in the past as it is very modern for instance Janelle Jalbert in an online teacher. "I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own."

[S.J. Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit it. I love stories and books about animals. All animals. Hence, it was a natural for me to pick Wing Dog, Soul Pup by Janelle Jalbert to read and review. A dog may be a man’s best friend, but in this case, a dog turned out to be the author’s best friend and soul pup. Jalbert is a Southern California transplant who relocated to North Carolina. That alone brings with it a bit of culture shock. Alone in the south, she needs a bit of guidance and comfort. Enter Wing Doug, a pup she adopts and immediately goes to making her life less lonely. Written with feeling from the heart, Jalbert does a great job of bringing her tale to life. With a bit of humor, love and style, Wing Dog, Soul Pup touched my heart. It made me laugh and cry. It made me snicker and smile. If you love a good story, particularly one involving animals, may I suggest this tale of soul? Add to it a bit of Wing Dog.

Disclaimer: I received a review copy from Reading Alley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading dog books. I am such a dog lover. While the last couple of dog books that I have read were good they were not "great". This book is great. Both the author, Janelle and Goose were so relatable. This helped make the book so much more enjoyable. Goose is the perfect name for the dog. All of the adventures that Janelle and Goose had were entertaining. Also, loved the thoughts of Goose as if he were really talking. I do believe that dogs can communicate with their owners. Only the ones that share a very special bond can listen and would agree. I have been communicating with all of the dogs that I have owned or came into my life since I was a little girl. I loved every moment of this book. For anyone who is a dog lover you need to pick up a copy of this book. You won't regret it.

[Blake Sabor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this memoir was a delight. The author is witty and charming as she writes about her wingdog, appropriately named, Goose. Definitely a pet lover, the author bestows humanly qualities on her pet which are hilarious and endearing. She highlights the benefits of having a non-human friend and balances it with the challenges that come with raising it. The writer’s candor in her journaling is refreshing and as you read, you’ll pick up on her distinct style and flow. As she and her pup traverse the nation they form a rock solid bond that nurtures both of their lives. This memoir is perfect for animal lovers and will be relatable for anyone who has helped or been helped by a furry friend. I highly recommend it!

[Teresa Kander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goose is a dog who will steal your heart. His adventures with Janelle are full of laughter--their travels around the country make his name, taken from TOP GUN, simply perfect for him.

I loved that Janelle shares what she believes Goose was thinking/trying to tell her. It was so believable, and added a whole other layer to the story.

Animal lovers will easily relate to how this relationship changed Janelle's life and helped her to recover from traumatic events in her life.

This book is a true keeper, and one I will read time and again.

**I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

[Verna King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Janelle Jalbert poured her heart and soul into this book. I received this book for an honest review. Dog lovers will probably love following Goose and Janelle in this story. Personally I found it a little boring and yet at the same time I wanted to finish the book. Even my husband found it strangely captivating and borderline boring. And he's not a house dog or emotional type of guy by a long shot! So for that reason I give "Wingdog: Soul Pup" a 5 star rating. If you love reading books and dogs, I can recommend. Otherwise, you may get bored.

[Karen Ingalls]

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, September 2, 2016
By KAREN INGALLS
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This review is from: WINGDOG: Soul Pup: A Magical Mutt Memoir (Paperback)
Even though I am a dog (all animals) lover, I was not sure I would like this books. I loved it! It was hard for me to put it down. I quickly felt I was the author and he was my dog. I felt all her emotions and could see all the antics and expressions by her WingDog. Excellent book for everyone.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've ever had a truly special connection with a dog, you will appreciate this book. From the learning phase of adoption and puppyhood, through the socializations with people and dogs, car travels and more. Then going through the process of grieving and healing. It happens to all of us, but sharing this well-matched couple's life journey is truly special, full of joy and heartbreak. See publisher's blurb.
Thanks ReadingRoom!

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book for anyone that has ever loved a dog!!!!

Totally loved and related to this book. Great story about our best friends
Our 4 legged companions that know us humans so well. Thank you

[J. A. Lewis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think every pet owner has that one dog or cat that will always bring about the fondest memories and that has touched us in a way that few understand. For Ms. Jalbert, Goose was that dog. For the pros, I applaud anyone who adopts a dog and gives it a second chance providing vet care, exercise and proper nutrition and shelter. For the cons, I found this memoir extremely repetitive, boring and the writing seemed very elementary. The best I could do is skim through it. I felt nothing but sadness that Goose died so young at the hands of a careless veterinarian. I hope he/she was reported to whatever organization monitors these types of cases. Lastly, I hope someone out there has versed Ms. Jalbert on the ill effects of giving your dog too many pigs ears and rawhide bones. Our neighbor killed her dog by giving it rawhide bones. It died of cancer.

[Suzanne Paschke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this book for free in return for an honest review.

This book absolutely broke my heart. When you read a book like this, whether it's Marley and Me, Dewey, anything in this genre you pretty much already know how it's going to end. But it's the journey along the way that is always worth it, and it was worth it again in this book.

If you've ever loved a pet, whether dog or cat or anything else, there are times that it is so incredibly obvious what they are thinking. A look, a twitch of the tail, a tilt of the head can say so much. We get to know our pets so well and for a pet lover this is completely normal. The voice that Jalbert gave to Goose as he was 'talking' had me right there with him and falling in love with him as much as everyone else seemed to. The pictures of him that are interspersed throughout the book are just delightful and the character and personality that Goose possessed is undeniably evident from those alone.

The pacing was a little slow at times, and it made me wonder why Goose's life was being covered in such detail over a short span of time. When the reason for this was revealed I was beyond heartbroken for Jalbert. I've heard that awful noise. I've rushed into the room to see the life literally leave my beloved furbaby's eyes. It's is absolutely heartbreaking.

I pretty much bawled through the last thirty or so pages of this book. It was a sad ending to the book in so many ways, but there was also a positive point to it as well. I would have loved to have found out the reasoning behind what had happened with Jalbert's friends for them to turn sour, but this was one thing that wasn't revealed. I had to remind myself when I was reading that this book is not a work of fiction, and there aren't always explanations for everything. That's just a part of life and living. It can't always be wrapped up in a nice neat bow.

Heartily recommend this as a read for anyone who loves their furbabies like so many of us do. Just stock up on the tissues first.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Think Marley and Me on a perpetual road trip.
For anyone who has ever shared a home with a pet or loved an animal.
Yes, there will be tears shed as you read but also laughter and understanding.
I have had pets with special senses and abilities. I know some that have passed are guarding me still.
You know you have looked into an animal's eyes and heard their thoughts. Our interpretations may not be literal but are oh so telling.
Janelle 's translation of Goose's thoughts is entertaining and heartwarming.


For a long time as this book began, I was worried that Goose wouldn't have a voice.
It turns out that Goose had many ways to communicate. Janelle needed to learn them and remember to respond sooner. Picture Eddie on tv's Frazier.
Janelle managed to teach a few lessons herself. Goose was the quicker learner.
He did have a certain magic about him and touched people wherever he went.

I received this book through the generosity of the author.
My thoughts are my own.