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Black Empress: Rescuing a Puppy from Iran
HISTORICAL IRAN, INDIA, AND NEPAL.
In 1972 at the age of 29, Bobbi Phelps Wolverton became a secretary at the Iran Safaris Company in Tehran. Working in a foreign country was challenging and rewarding. Saving a throw-away puppy contributed to those challenges, ones that were both threatening and frightening.
From the moment of her arrival in Iran, she bonded with the runt puppy that had been destined to be killed as the dog held no value to the fishing and hunting company. To save the puppy from certain death, Wolverton defied her host and employer, as well as the Muslim culture. She survived dreadful incidents and yet witnessed caring individuals who helped her save the puppy, the Black Empress.
She experienced a frightening, night-time river crossing; a terrifying police interrogation; and an attempted rape. In this inspiring memoir, Wolverton tells the story of rescuing her beloved Black Labrador dog from Iran. Her bond with the puppy brought until happiness and important meaning throughout her life.
In 1972 at the age of 29, Bobbi Phelps Wolverton became a secretary at the Iran Safaris Company in Tehran. Working in a foreign country was challenging and rewarding. Saving a throw-away puppy contributed to those challenges, ones that were both threatening and frightening.
From the moment of her arrival in Iran, she bonded with the runt puppy that had been destined to be killed as the dog held no value to the fishing and hunting company. To save the puppy from certain death, Wolverton defied her host and employer, as well as the Muslim culture. She survived dreadful incidents and yet witnessed caring individuals who helped her save the puppy, the Black Empress.
She experienced a frightening, night-time river crossing; a terrifying police interrogation; and an attempted rape. In this inspiring memoir, Wolverton tells the story of rescuing her beloved Black Labrador dog from Iran. Her bond with the puppy brought until happiness and important meaning throughout her life.
109 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 17, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 29, 2023
I recently had the pleasure of reading Black Empress, which I found to be a truly inspiring story of resilience and love.
The author’s memoir takes us on a fascinating expedition to Iran, India, and Nepal in 1974, where she worked as a secretary at the Iran Safaris Company. This very unique position led to equally unique challenges. Her unwavering determination to save a beloved dog is a testament to her strength and courage.
The book is filled with heartwarming and suspenseful moments that will make you laugh, cry, and cheer for Bobbi and her beloved dog. You feel like you're right there with the author, experiencing every moment of her journey.
It also is a beautiful tribute to the bond between humans and animals, and a story that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it. So well-written. Five stars!
The author’s memoir takes us on a fascinating expedition to Iran, India, and Nepal in 1974, where she worked as a secretary at the Iran Safaris Company. This very unique position led to equally unique challenges. Her unwavering determination to save a beloved dog is a testament to her strength and courage.
The book is filled with heartwarming and suspenseful moments that will make you laugh, cry, and cheer for Bobbi and her beloved dog. You feel like you're right there with the author, experiencing every moment of her journey.
It also is a beautiful tribute to the bond between humans and animals, and a story that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it. So well-written. Five stars!
November 10, 2016
BLACK EMPRESS by Bobbi Phelps Wolverton
This novelette length memoir follows the travels of a young couple to Iran, India and Nepal as they look for photos and subjects for future magazine articles on fishing, hunting and outdoor adventures.
After tying up with the owners of the Iran Safaris Company, author, Bobbi Wolverton, adopts the sickly runt from a litter of black Lab puppies and jumps through hoops to keep the puppy alive and well enough to ship back to the US when they leave the Middle East.
I’m a sucker for dog stories. A friend writes them and has even featured my Scottie in one of his books. So, I had to take a look at this story of a poor little hound that makes good.
This novelette length memoir follows the travels of a young couple to Iran, India and Nepal as they look for photos and subjects for future magazine articles on fishing, hunting and outdoor adventures.
After tying up with the owners of the Iran Safaris Company, author, Bobbi Wolverton, adopts the sickly runt from a litter of black Lab puppies and jumps through hoops to keep the puppy alive and well enough to ship back to the US when they leave the Middle East.
I’m a sucker for dog stories. A friend writes them and has even featured my Scottie in one of his books. So, I had to take a look at this story of a poor little hound that makes good.
August 17, 2018
What a summertime treat to read Bobbi Phelps Wolverton's riveting tale of her adventures in Iran in the early 1970s. This page turner was fascinating on so many levels. Of course, as a lifelong "dog person" the title about a dog rescue definitely grabbed me! But the surprise was the sense of immersion in the culture of Iran at that time. I was especially intrigued - and more than a little horrified - by this first-person account of how women in that era were treated. I hope and pray things have gotten better for my sisters in that faraway land! Bravo Bobbi Phelps Wolverton you are a GREAT storyteller!
January 30, 2018
This book was a TREAT, no pun intended. Not only did I travel to exotic, dangerous, fascinating places through Bobbi's adventures, I met some incredible people from several cultures. I also met a special puppy. This author is wild at heart, and loves the wild. Anyone who cares about dogs, travel, food, friendship, and cultural respect will love this book.
May 9, 2022
What a great adventure! I loved this chance to travel to Iran in the 70s, a place I read much about, but will probably never see first-hand. The story of the darling puppy and the rescue is a sweet bonus.
April 21, 2021
Black Empress by Bobbi Phelps Wolverton gives an interesting insight into life in Iran during the Shah’s reign in the 1970’s. She and her husband traveled to Iran on business, and ended up staying in the home of the owner of a safari company. This relationship enabled them to experience many places in the country and beyond. The descriptions of the countryside and the people are fascinating, since most of us will never travel there. Some of the experiences were very difficult and even frightening. It gives a good idea of what it is like to live in a country where the rules and expectations are very different from those of the West.
The Black Empress is the runt of a litter of black lab puppies who endears herself to Bobbi and her husband. Despite various deformities and problems, for which she would normally have been destroyed, she was rescued and lived many happy years in the US. So while this is a nice “doggie tale” it is also a revealing and interesting visit to another “world”; two for the price of one.
The Black Empress is the runt of a litter of black lab puppies who endears herself to Bobbi and her husband. Despite various deformities and problems, for which she would normally have been destroyed, she was rescued and lived many happy years in the US. So while this is a nice “doggie tale” it is also a revealing and interesting visit to another “world”; two for the price of one.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews