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Dan Knew
A Ukrainian street dog is rescued from certain death by an expat family. As he travels with them to Estonia, Lithuania, Portugal and the UK, he learns how to be a people dog, but a darkness grows and he finds himself narrating more than just his story. More than a dog story. Ultimately it's a story of escape and survival told in his voice. A voice that will stay with you long after you turn that last page.
342 pages, ebook
Published November 18, 2017
32 people are currently reading
355 people want to read
About the author
F.J. Curlew
4 books19 followersWinner of the Federation of Writers (Scotland) short story competition, 2023.
Fiona is a Scottish writer who spent fifteen years teaching in international schools, before becoming ill and having to return home. Not one to remain idle, she turned to the Open University where she studied creative writing, completing both courses with distinction, and discovering a new passion. She has since written five books and finds it difficult to be content without a work in progress.
She is now writing in her given name of Fiona Curnow.
Fiona is a Scottish writer who spent fifteen years teaching in international schools, before becoming ill and having to return home. Not one to remain idle, she turned to the Open University where she studied creative writing, completing both courses with distinction, and discovering a new passion. She has since written five books and finds it difficult to be content without a work in progress.
She is now writing in her given name of Fiona Curnow.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 27, 2017
This isn’t my usual type of read but I am a sucker for a animal story (Marley and Me, A Street Cat named Bob….) so was intrigued enough to see what exactly “Dan Knew” in this fictional account based on his real life adventures with his owners.
In a way, this isn’t even Dans story but the story of an abusive relationship seen through his eyes as he tries to make sense of the new world he finds himself in. But it does cover his life from the moment he is picked up as a stray from the streets of the Ukraine and taken into a family home where he becomes thoroughly attached to “mum” and emotionally connected to their other animals as well, especially Ceilidh.
I found this to be a fascinating way of relating the story of his owners life. It worked well watching her interesting and sometimes heartbreaking journey to where she is today through the eyes of her much adored dog Danya. This gives the reader a more simplistic insight into her world whilst still managing to convey the emotions being felt. And be warned it does get very difficult to read at times because of that.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Dan Knew, it was nice to become involved in something a little bit different and I was surprised by how attached I became to both Dan and his owner. I was determined not to cry but have to admit the tears did flow towards the end as I knew they probably would. As a dog lover myself, I gave my own gorgeous doggie a huge cuddle when I had finished looking into her eyes and wondering what she would say if she could write a book about ME!
In a way, this isn’t even Dans story but the story of an abusive relationship seen through his eyes as he tries to make sense of the new world he finds himself in. But it does cover his life from the moment he is picked up as a stray from the streets of the Ukraine and taken into a family home where he becomes thoroughly attached to “mum” and emotionally connected to their other animals as well, especially Ceilidh.
I found this to be a fascinating way of relating the story of his owners life. It worked well watching her interesting and sometimes heartbreaking journey to where she is today through the eyes of her much adored dog Danya. This gives the reader a more simplistic insight into her world whilst still managing to convey the emotions being felt. And be warned it does get very difficult to read at times because of that.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Dan Knew, it was nice to become involved in something a little bit different and I was surprised by how attached I became to both Dan and his owner. I was determined not to cry but have to admit the tears did flow towards the end as I knew they probably would. As a dog lover myself, I gave my own gorgeous doggie a huge cuddle when I had finished looking into her eyes and wondering what she would say if she could write a book about ME!
September 13, 2017
I understand that Dan Knew is a semi-biographical account of the author’s earlier life. The story begins with who we later understand to be Fiona’s daughter finding a stray puppy ‘Dan’ whilst they were living in the Ukraine. The puppy is traumatised by having seen his own dog family taken away and is lost and fearful of what is to come. Luckily for the pup, he struck lucky. He had found loving owners and subsequently formed a particularly close bond with Fiona – his ‘Mum’.
The story is narrated by Dan, and whilst it did feel a little strange to have a dog telling a story in such a simplistic way i.e calling a car ‘the machine’, it worked well as a way of telling a story. Through Dan’s eyes, we see the upheaval of several house moves whilst Fiona was teaching – from Ukraine to Estonia, then to Scotland, relationship difficulties and serious illness. There were happy moments too I hasten to add! There were some parts that I think could have benefited from a stronger edit, especially when Dan was talking about smells and routes on his many walks and I did skim read some of these but this didn’t hinder my overall enjoyment of the story.
For a small dog, Dan had a huge personality. He could be jealous of other people and animals who took his Mum’s attention away from him but he knew instinctively when comfort was needed. Fiona’s love for all her pets comes through clearly but Dan had a special place in her heart.
The book is approximately 342 pages and is an emotional read at times. From reading Dan’s narrative, the author has had an interesting and roller coaster of a life, with many highs and lows. Dan Knew is a charming story which I’m sure will appeal to anyone interested in other people’s lives but I suspect it will especially strike a chord with many animal lovers.
The story is narrated by Dan, and whilst it did feel a little strange to have a dog telling a story in such a simplistic way i.e calling a car ‘the machine’, it worked well as a way of telling a story. Through Dan’s eyes, we see the upheaval of several house moves whilst Fiona was teaching – from Ukraine to Estonia, then to Scotland, relationship difficulties and serious illness. There were happy moments too I hasten to add! There were some parts that I think could have benefited from a stronger edit, especially when Dan was talking about smells and routes on his many walks and I did skim read some of these but this didn’t hinder my overall enjoyment of the story.
For a small dog, Dan had a huge personality. He could be jealous of other people and animals who took his Mum’s attention away from him but he knew instinctively when comfort was needed. Fiona’s love for all her pets comes through clearly but Dan had a special place in her heart.
The book is approximately 342 pages and is an emotional read at times. From reading Dan’s narrative, the author has had an interesting and roller coaster of a life, with many highs and lows. Dan Knew is a charming story which I’m sure will appeal to anyone interested in other people’s lives but I suspect it will especially strike a chord with many animal lovers.
September 24, 2017
Find all my reviews, plus author interviews, guest posts and book extracts, on my blog: https://whatcathyreadnext.wordpress.com/
Rescued from the streets of Ukraine, Dan finds a new, loving home with lots of fresh experiences to tell us about. Dan has a dog’s preoccupations: food, smells, trees, chasing things, long walks. So as a narrator, his is always a limited view of events, many of which he does not fully understand and therefore cannot always interpret for us the reader. I suspect if you are a dog you could never grow tired of the walks through the countryside, to the park or to the beach which play such a major part in the book.
If you are a dog lover you will find this book enchanting. It was particularly effective at illustrating the sensitivity of dogs to the feelings of humans, with Dan able to interpret his owner’s moods from her gestures, heartbeat, and so on. Since this is a story that involves a strained domestic relationship, quite often Dan is sensing nervousness, sadness, anger and even fear. He can sense when something is not right with his owner.
‘Her voice was bright but I knew she was pretending that it was all okay. It wasn’t. But this is what she did. Pretended. She could pretend to people. She could pretend to herself. But we knew. Dogs know, you see.’
I’m not a dog owner so it was the human story that held as much interest for me and this came to the fore much more as the book progressed. The cover of the book suggests something dark, and it’s true there are some dramatic and traumatic elements to the story. But this would be to overlook the charm of the book and the charm of wee Dan. Dan is the constant in his owner’s life that brings her succour through his unconditional love and loyalty. Dan Knew is a celebration of the rich, mutually-sustaining relationship that can form between humans and animals.
I received a review copy courtesy of the author in return for an honest and unbiased review. (3.5 stars)
Rescued from the streets of Ukraine, Dan finds a new, loving home with lots of fresh experiences to tell us about. Dan has a dog’s preoccupations: food, smells, trees, chasing things, long walks. So as a narrator, his is always a limited view of events, many of which he does not fully understand and therefore cannot always interpret for us the reader. I suspect if you are a dog you could never grow tired of the walks through the countryside, to the park or to the beach which play such a major part in the book.
If you are a dog lover you will find this book enchanting. It was particularly effective at illustrating the sensitivity of dogs to the feelings of humans, with Dan able to interpret his owner’s moods from her gestures, heartbeat, and so on. Since this is a story that involves a strained domestic relationship, quite often Dan is sensing nervousness, sadness, anger and even fear. He can sense when something is not right with his owner.
‘Her voice was bright but I knew she was pretending that it was all okay. It wasn’t. But this is what she did. Pretended. She could pretend to people. She could pretend to herself. But we knew. Dogs know, you see.’
I’m not a dog owner so it was the human story that held as much interest for me and this came to the fore much more as the book progressed. The cover of the book suggests something dark, and it’s true there are some dramatic and traumatic elements to the story. But this would be to overlook the charm of the book and the charm of wee Dan. Dan is the constant in his owner’s life that brings her succour through his unconditional love and loyalty. Dan Knew is a celebration of the rich, mutually-sustaining relationship that can form between humans and animals.
I received a review copy courtesy of the author in return for an honest and unbiased review. (3.5 stars)
September 11, 2017
I've read a lot of books in my time from many different perspectives, but never from that of a dog. Of course, we welcome dogs into our families and they often become our very best friend, so wouldn't it be lovely to hear what they were thinking? Wonder no more, as we get into the head of a tough, but cautious, little guy as he finds his feet in the world and becomes a beloved member of a slightly unconventional family.
As a puppy, Dan is separated from his mother and siblings when they are captured by a dog catcher. Dan remains hidden and escapes the searching eyes of the dog catcher, but is left alone, hungry and scared. When he goes out searching for food, he is picked up by a human after he wanders into the path of an approaching car. He is taken home and welcomed into the family of humans and two other dogs: Ceilidh and Lada. They all take to Dan immediately but it's 'Mum' with whom he has a special bond from the start. I loved reading about Dan's orientation into the family - he is so inquisitive and of course everything is new to him.
As well as Dan's story, there is the story of his new 'parents': Mum and HIM. The pair have a tempestuous relationship as 'HIM' always smells of the nasty stuff and shouts a lot. They struggle for money, although 'HIM' always finds money for a visit to the pub, and they move around a lot looking for work. As we follow their journey across Europe, we also follow Dan's journey as he grows from an inquisitive young pup into an old dog who knows all the tricks.
With stories that made me laugh and cry, Dan Knew, is a book that is filled with so much love for Wee Dan that you can't help but love him too. His unique voice will be forever immortalised in print and what a fitting tribute to a truly wonderful dog.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
As a puppy, Dan is separated from his mother and siblings when they are captured by a dog catcher. Dan remains hidden and escapes the searching eyes of the dog catcher, but is left alone, hungry and scared. When he goes out searching for food, he is picked up by a human after he wanders into the path of an approaching car. He is taken home and welcomed into the family of humans and two other dogs: Ceilidh and Lada. They all take to Dan immediately but it's 'Mum' with whom he has a special bond from the start. I loved reading about Dan's orientation into the family - he is so inquisitive and of course everything is new to him.
As well as Dan's story, there is the story of his new 'parents': Mum and HIM. The pair have a tempestuous relationship as 'HIM' always smells of the nasty stuff and shouts a lot. They struggle for money, although 'HIM' always finds money for a visit to the pub, and they move around a lot looking for work. As we follow their journey across Europe, we also follow Dan's journey as he grows from an inquisitive young pup into an old dog who knows all the tricks.
With stories that made me laugh and cry, Dan Knew, is a book that is filled with so much love for Wee Dan that you can't help but love him too. His unique voice will be forever immortalised in print and what a fitting tribute to a truly wonderful dog.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
October 4, 2017
A book written through the eyes of a dog ..
Rescued from the streets of the Ukraine, Dan, traumatised and lost, finds love and care with his newly adopted family.
Did the Curlews adopt Dan or did Dan in own canine way adopt them.
This is one hell of an emotional read and I am not ashamed to say I bawled several times. I actually found it difficult at times.
The love from an animal is one of the purest forms there is, and Dan gave it in abundance.
This is a unique read and will appeal to all animal lovers, but those who adore dogs will know the way Dan ‘speaks’. It is a beautiful, sad, and hard *tail* to read, and one that will emotional drain and tie you to all those involved in Dan’s life.
There are scenes of domestic strife and the start when Dan hides from the dog catcher while watching his own canine family be hauled away is not fun to read. But the love Dan finds and gives in equal measures cannot help but touch the reader. I just couldn’t help but fall in love with him.
Reader recommended
Rescued from the streets of the Ukraine, Dan, traumatised and lost, finds love and care with his newly adopted family.
Did the Curlews adopt Dan or did Dan in own canine way adopt them.
This is one hell of an emotional read and I am not ashamed to say I bawled several times. I actually found it difficult at times.
The love from an animal is one of the purest forms there is, and Dan gave it in abundance.
This is a unique read and will appeal to all animal lovers, but those who adore dogs will know the way Dan ‘speaks’. It is a beautiful, sad, and hard *tail* to read, and one that will emotional drain and tie you to all those involved in Dan’s life.
There are scenes of domestic strife and the start when Dan hides from the dog catcher while watching his own canine family be hauled away is not fun to read. But the love Dan finds and gives in equal measures cannot help but touch the reader. I just couldn’t help but fall in love with him.
Reader recommended
September 22, 2017
Having owned and fostered many dogs in the past I have spent hours wondering what they are thinking. When they look adoringly at you with big brown eyes, are they feeling complete adoration, or do they just know that it's the best way to get a treat or a tummy rub?
This book is written from the perspective of a rescue dog called Dan (or Wee Dan or Danya), found on the streets of the Ukraine. It's called Dan Knew because he actually did know and he witnessed the trauma of a turbulent domestic situation and a battle against cancer as well as his own hard start to life.
The book is extremely cleverly written by Fiona because she tells her own semi-autobiographical story through the eyes of Dan. He senses fear, he smells anger, he can tell if a person is good or bad when they walk into a room. He knows that with a certain 'bad' smell known to us as alcohol, there will always follow shouting, anger, and fear. He can pick up on the emotions of his loved ones even when they try their very best to hide it, He can tell if things that are said have a genuine meaning or hidden edge to them.
So yes Dan really did know!
Dan also has canine friends throughout his life. There is Lada the Newfoundland a calm, gentle giant who makes Dan feel safe. Then there is Ceilidh an older maternal figure, and Jake the energetic Labrador. Dan had different relationships with each one and describes wonderfully how their interactions give him strength, calmness, and wisdom.
It portrays how a dog feels when he is constantly moving from one home to another, how as long as the dog's special person is with them they can still feel secure in new surroundings, but how unnerved they become when a person, known only as 'Him' leaves, then reenters their lives constantly..
The book has some funny moments too and there were also good times when Dan felt extremely happy with his home life and he built adorable relationships with the other dogs.
The book has a simple, easy to read style with short chapters, so it can be picked up on a commute, or devoured in a few sittings.
The story is powerful enough on its own but told through the eyes of a rescue dog it becomes fascinating and enthralling.
Thank you, Fiona, for sending me a copy of Dan Knew and letting me share your story of survival. I'm sure you are aware how special this little dog was, but now everyone will know because he has told your story. The book could not have been written without an amazing depth of relationship which is rare and sacred. It is not written as a story of torment and bitterness but as a triumph of survival.
I will truly remember this story forever and the unique way that it has been written.
This book is written from the perspective of a rescue dog called Dan (or Wee Dan or Danya), found on the streets of the Ukraine. It's called Dan Knew because he actually did know and he witnessed the trauma of a turbulent domestic situation and a battle against cancer as well as his own hard start to life.
The book is extremely cleverly written by Fiona because she tells her own semi-autobiographical story through the eyes of Dan. He senses fear, he smells anger, he can tell if a person is good or bad when they walk into a room. He knows that with a certain 'bad' smell known to us as alcohol, there will always follow shouting, anger, and fear. He can pick up on the emotions of his loved ones even when they try their very best to hide it, He can tell if things that are said have a genuine meaning or hidden edge to them.
So yes Dan really did know!
Dan also has canine friends throughout his life. There is Lada the Newfoundland a calm, gentle giant who makes Dan feel safe. Then there is Ceilidh an older maternal figure, and Jake the energetic Labrador. Dan had different relationships with each one and describes wonderfully how their interactions give him strength, calmness, and wisdom.
It portrays how a dog feels when he is constantly moving from one home to another, how as long as the dog's special person is with them they can still feel secure in new surroundings, but how unnerved they become when a person, known only as 'Him' leaves, then reenters their lives constantly..
The book has some funny moments too and there were also good times when Dan felt extremely happy with his home life and he built adorable relationships with the other dogs.
The book has a simple, easy to read style with short chapters, so it can be picked up on a commute, or devoured in a few sittings.
The story is powerful enough on its own but told through the eyes of a rescue dog it becomes fascinating and enthralling.
Thank you, Fiona, for sending me a copy of Dan Knew and letting me share your story of survival. I'm sure you are aware how special this little dog was, but now everyone will know because he has told your story. The book could not have been written without an amazing depth of relationship which is rare and sacred. It is not written as a story of torment and bitterness but as a triumph of survival.
I will truly remember this story forever and the unique way that it has been written.
September 3, 2017
Now anyone who knows me will understand I am a complete softy when it comes to animals. So when Fiona approached me several months ago about a book featuring ‘Dan’ I could tell from her enthusiasm for the story how much this meant to her.
I went into ‘Dan Knew’ with a slight pre-conceived idea that it would be a story based around this much loved pet. What I didn’t expect was the whole tale would be told from Dan’s perspective.
It begins with a tiny puppy in peril, in Ukraine dogs aren’t treated as precious creatures. Luckily Dan finds a home with his mistress and so begins a journey of trials and tribulations across Europe.
The writing in some respects seems very simplistic but if you take into account this is entirely told from a canine perspective it’s actually quite endearing and realistic. Dan demonstrates perfectly how much trust, smells and stability are such an important factor.
The journey is a very personal view into a life affected by abuse, bullying, cancer (relevant to me) so expect there to be a wide variety of emotions while we the readers follow this roller coaster.
Dan has ‘siblings’ in the form of other dogs and a cat but his loyalty to his mistress is overwhelming. I liked the way he interpreted the human feelings, his sense of danger and the need to protect was paramount.
Fiona writes in such a manner that you are there alongside the situation getting a glimpse into the family which at times almost feels like an invasion of privacy.
I defy anyone not to fall in love with Dan. If anything this book has shown me how to overcome adversity, even when at rockbottom a lick or nose butt from Dan would inject a bit more strength.
His understanding of his mistresses’ needs was astounding and the love was entirely mutual. Prepare to cry during this book as well as smile .. the ending had me in bits. Dan was indeed a very special ‘person’ and his story will ensure he helps many other people.
Thanks to Fiona for my copy which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
I went into ‘Dan Knew’ with a slight pre-conceived idea that it would be a story based around this much loved pet. What I didn’t expect was the whole tale would be told from Dan’s perspective.
It begins with a tiny puppy in peril, in Ukraine dogs aren’t treated as precious creatures. Luckily Dan finds a home with his mistress and so begins a journey of trials and tribulations across Europe.
The writing in some respects seems very simplistic but if you take into account this is entirely told from a canine perspective it’s actually quite endearing and realistic. Dan demonstrates perfectly how much trust, smells and stability are such an important factor.
The journey is a very personal view into a life affected by abuse, bullying, cancer (relevant to me) so expect there to be a wide variety of emotions while we the readers follow this roller coaster.
Dan has ‘siblings’ in the form of other dogs and a cat but his loyalty to his mistress is overwhelming. I liked the way he interpreted the human feelings, his sense of danger and the need to protect was paramount.
Fiona writes in such a manner that you are there alongside the situation getting a glimpse into the family which at times almost feels like an invasion of privacy.
I defy anyone not to fall in love with Dan. If anything this book has shown me how to overcome adversity, even when at rockbottom a lick or nose butt from Dan would inject a bit more strength.
His understanding of his mistresses’ needs was astounding and the love was entirely mutual. Prepare to cry during this book as well as smile .. the ending had me in bits. Dan was indeed a very special ‘person’ and his story will ensure he helps many other people.
Thanks to Fiona for my copy which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
September 15, 2017
This story centres round a young married couple and all the troubles they have in their everyday lives. The problems with drink, work and what seems like continual moving house and at times country, to live. Doesn’t sound much of a story really does it except this isn’t really their story. This is the story of Dan and his life but the unusual thing is Dan is a dog.
Dan, although nameless when the story begins, is one of the wild pack dogs that lives on the streets of the Ukraine until the day he tragically looses his family. His new ‘mum’ and ‘Him’ find Dan, who is still a puppy and take him home. The year is 2002.
I had to smile at how Dan sees the world and his role in it. His instinct tells him that he has to protect his ‘mum’ and I soon got the know all the different walks and stances this gutsy little puppy had to display to the world in order to show his feelings. Of course being a dog a lot of how he judges people is through their smell. Mum he loves more than anyone but ‘Him’ has a bad smell something which Dan knows is not a good thing and it makes his ‘mum’ cry such a lot.
Dan has a lovely relationship with the other two dogs, that his ‘mum’ and ‘Him’ own, but they can be naughty which leads Dan astray too. This is a lovely story of love and loyalty between owner and pet. The need to be loved and the faithfulness in return that can be given back unconditionally. The story spans from 2002 Ukraine to 2016 Scotland, with a lot of story in between!
Having had dogs myself I often looked into their eyes and wondered just what were they thinking. I believe that Fiona Curlew has probably come as close to how our pets view the world pretty well. A thought-provoking book which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Dan, although nameless when the story begins, is one of the wild pack dogs that lives on the streets of the Ukraine until the day he tragically looses his family. His new ‘mum’ and ‘Him’ find Dan, who is still a puppy and take him home. The year is 2002.
I had to smile at how Dan sees the world and his role in it. His instinct tells him that he has to protect his ‘mum’ and I soon got the know all the different walks and stances this gutsy little puppy had to display to the world in order to show his feelings. Of course being a dog a lot of how he judges people is through their smell. Mum he loves more than anyone but ‘Him’ has a bad smell something which Dan knows is not a good thing and it makes his ‘mum’ cry such a lot.
Dan has a lovely relationship with the other two dogs, that his ‘mum’ and ‘Him’ own, but they can be naughty which leads Dan astray too. This is a lovely story of love and loyalty between owner and pet. The need to be loved and the faithfulness in return that can be given back unconditionally. The story spans from 2002 Ukraine to 2016 Scotland, with a lot of story in between!
Having had dogs myself I often looked into their eyes and wondered just what were they thinking. I believe that Fiona Curlew has probably come as close to how our pets view the world pretty well. A thought-provoking book which I thoroughly enjoyed.
September 22, 2017
Good morning and welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Dan Knew by FJ Curlew. This book is something completely different from Clues and Reviews and the books I normally read. However, I am such a sucker for a story featuring a dog. I am probably 100% percent, absolutely, a little bit obsessed with my own fur baby (which I have mentioned before, I think) so I was pretty excited to read this story about a street dog who is rescued.
This story is also semi-autobiographical; the animals (and people!) in the book are all real so I enjoyed that there was a personal connection with the author and the text. I think that it made the story more heart felt.
From the opening pages, the story was very different. The plot is actually narrated from the perspective of the dog, Dan, which I found to be incredibly interesting. I often find myself thinking what my dog would say if she had the opportunity to narrate her own story so I loved seeing this perspective. Dan is living on the streets in the Ukraine when a little girl, who becomes his new “mother”, finds him and he ends up joining their family and travelling with them.
As mentioned, I am such a sucker for stories like these so I obviously found myself feeling emotional during the course of my reading and I absolutely struggled with some darker parts of the story, in particular the ending. I found myself feeling more depressed during my reading of the story as Dan was consistently questioning the behaviour of his owners and essentially “moulding” his feelings to that of his owner. I definitely did not find this the “feel good” story that I was expecting to feel.
Overall, it was a very different story but it left me feeling incredibly depressed. Maybe I’m just too sensitive.
This story is also semi-autobiographical; the animals (and people!) in the book are all real so I enjoyed that there was a personal connection with the author and the text. I think that it made the story more heart felt.
From the opening pages, the story was very different. The plot is actually narrated from the perspective of the dog, Dan, which I found to be incredibly interesting. I often find myself thinking what my dog would say if she had the opportunity to narrate her own story so I loved seeing this perspective. Dan is living on the streets in the Ukraine when a little girl, who becomes his new “mother”, finds him and he ends up joining their family and travelling with them.
As mentioned, I am such a sucker for stories like these so I obviously found myself feeling emotional during the course of my reading and I absolutely struggled with some darker parts of the story, in particular the ending. I found myself feeling more depressed during my reading of the story as Dan was consistently questioning the behaviour of his owners and essentially “moulding” his feelings to that of his owner. I definitely did not find this the “feel good” story that I was expecting to feel.
Overall, it was a very different story but it left me feeling incredibly depressed. Maybe I’m just too sensitive.
May 18, 2024
This was one of the lovliest stories I have read.
March 24, 2025
Great story, beautifully written. Really makes you see life from a dogs perspective. Should make us all more aware of the impact our actions have on these wonderful, sensitive souls.
September 17, 2017
In Dan Knew we meet a street pup who after managing to escape being picked up by the dog catchers gets separated from his family. He is rescued by a young girl called Lucy and adopted by her family.
I have a confession to make, I am a huge dog lover and so when I was asked if I would read and review a book about a rescued puppy told from their perspective I jumped at the chance. What intrigued me the most was how the author was going to capture the events of everything going on in the voice of a four legged character whilst keeping the reader engaged.
The story starts slowly while we get to know Dan and his new family and I was a little confused as to who the main characters were going to be and it did have me wondering if I was going to enjoy the book. Turns out I was worrying over nothing. Through Dan’s eyes you got to experience so much more than a life of a dog and I found that the way the author described even the smallest thing had my imagination going and it didn’t matter if I had never visited a place or even fully knew where they were. You also got to see the relationships between the humans that looked after him and because of this it then became much more than a story about a street dog. This is also when I really became engrossed in the book and found that I could not put it down. The relationship between “mum” and “him” as Dan calls them is quite volatile and you get to see how this affects the all the animals in the home as much as the humans, which quite often you don’t think about.
The story covers 14 years between 2002 & 2016 moving from the Ukraine right through to Scotland with a few other places dotted in between, although if some of the chapter titles didn’t actually tell me where they currently were I would not have known but as dogs don’t read (or at least we are not sure that they do) Dan could hardly have put that in to his story.
I have no idea how the author managed to capture so much of a dog’s personality and the little things that they do but she must have infinite patience as while reading the book I could often picture my dog doing some of the same things as Dan during the puppy stage and would find myself smiling at them.
I have to admit I have struggled to write a review for this book, not because I didn’t like it because I loved it. My main struggle is that because it is so descriptive and well written that I feel that I won’t do it justice and I could give the whole book away. I have read a couple of books now from the animals’ perspective and for me this is the best by far. It details real lives and day to day events with no guarantee of a happy ending. There are so many things as humans we do that we don’t realise affect our pets yet by writing the whole story in the way that she did, the author has shown another side to everything.
My thanks to the author for the advance copy of this book in return for my review.
I have a confession to make, I am a huge dog lover and so when I was asked if I would read and review a book about a rescued puppy told from their perspective I jumped at the chance. What intrigued me the most was how the author was going to capture the events of everything going on in the voice of a four legged character whilst keeping the reader engaged.
The story starts slowly while we get to know Dan and his new family and I was a little confused as to who the main characters were going to be and it did have me wondering if I was going to enjoy the book. Turns out I was worrying over nothing. Through Dan’s eyes you got to experience so much more than a life of a dog and I found that the way the author described even the smallest thing had my imagination going and it didn’t matter if I had never visited a place or even fully knew where they were. You also got to see the relationships between the humans that looked after him and because of this it then became much more than a story about a street dog. This is also when I really became engrossed in the book and found that I could not put it down. The relationship between “mum” and “him” as Dan calls them is quite volatile and you get to see how this affects the all the animals in the home as much as the humans, which quite often you don’t think about.
The story covers 14 years between 2002 & 2016 moving from the Ukraine right through to Scotland with a few other places dotted in between, although if some of the chapter titles didn’t actually tell me where they currently were I would not have known but as dogs don’t read (or at least we are not sure that they do) Dan could hardly have put that in to his story.
I have no idea how the author managed to capture so much of a dog’s personality and the little things that they do but she must have infinite patience as while reading the book I could often picture my dog doing some of the same things as Dan during the puppy stage and would find myself smiling at them.
I have to admit I have struggled to write a review for this book, not because I didn’t like it because I loved it. My main struggle is that because it is so descriptive and well written that I feel that I won’t do it justice and I could give the whole book away. I have read a couple of books now from the animals’ perspective and for me this is the best by far. It details real lives and day to day events with no guarantee of a happy ending. There are so many things as humans we do that we don’t realise affect our pets yet by writing the whole story in the way that she did, the author has shown another side to everything.
My thanks to the author for the advance copy of this book in return for my review.
September 1, 2017
I absolutely adore dogs to the extent that in a film or book I am always more upset by the death or injury of a dog than I am about the humans. Knowing that Curlew is as mad about dogs as I am, I was thrilled to be able to read and review Dan Knew.
Dan Knew is a very personal book about the life of Curlew’s best canine friend, wee Dan, who she sadly recently lost. It is told from the perspective of Dan from his brief time as a stray on the streets of the Ukraine to the life he has with the family who rescue him. It is a book that follows him on his journey around Europe as he learns all about what it is to be a canine and the nature of humans.
I couldn’t help but fall in love with Dan and I felt as though I actually knew him by the end of the book. Dan’s voice comes across as being truly canine and a lot of his thoughts and behaviour really resonated with me as I could see him in the dogs I have owned. Curlew really captures the individual personalities of Dan and his canine family members. From Dan who is quite serious in nature and very much sees himself as the protector of his family, Ceilidh the wiser, older dog who Dan learns so much from, Lada the laid back, gentle bear of a Newfoundland to Jake the crazy Labrador with boundless energy. I adored the way we saw each of the dogs through Dan’s eyes as I often wonder about what my own dogs think of each other and I found myself laughing at Dan’s observations of his family members. Dan Knew brought back so many wonderful memories of my own dogs.
Dan Knew is also the story of the lives of the human members of his family and, as is often the way with humans, this does not always run smoothly. There is a serious thread to this book as Dan learns that human beings are complicated creatures and often behave in ways that hurt those they are supposed to love. Seeing the unfathomable behaviour of human nature from the perspective of a different species is a unique take on what is, sadly, an all too familiar story. Dan Knew touches a real emotional cord within the reader as they follow the difficulties Dan’s mum goes through and it had me smiling and crying in equal measure. I warn you now, you will need tissues for the ending!
Curlew captures the essence of the canine while intertwining this with a tale about human relationships and adversity. She takes us on a real journey through interesting countries, life and friendship. Whether you are a dog lover or not, you will not fail to be moved by this story of the bond that can exist between different species. There is now a Dan-shaped space in my heart and Curlew has written a fitting tribute to a very special friend.
Dan Knew is a very personal book about the life of Curlew’s best canine friend, wee Dan, who she sadly recently lost. It is told from the perspective of Dan from his brief time as a stray on the streets of the Ukraine to the life he has with the family who rescue him. It is a book that follows him on his journey around Europe as he learns all about what it is to be a canine and the nature of humans.
I couldn’t help but fall in love with Dan and I felt as though I actually knew him by the end of the book. Dan’s voice comes across as being truly canine and a lot of his thoughts and behaviour really resonated with me as I could see him in the dogs I have owned. Curlew really captures the individual personalities of Dan and his canine family members. From Dan who is quite serious in nature and very much sees himself as the protector of his family, Ceilidh the wiser, older dog who Dan learns so much from, Lada the laid back, gentle bear of a Newfoundland to Jake the crazy Labrador with boundless energy. I adored the way we saw each of the dogs through Dan’s eyes as I often wonder about what my own dogs think of each other and I found myself laughing at Dan’s observations of his family members. Dan Knew brought back so many wonderful memories of my own dogs.
Dan Knew is also the story of the lives of the human members of his family and, as is often the way with humans, this does not always run smoothly. There is a serious thread to this book as Dan learns that human beings are complicated creatures and often behave in ways that hurt those they are supposed to love. Seeing the unfathomable behaviour of human nature from the perspective of a different species is a unique take on what is, sadly, an all too familiar story. Dan Knew touches a real emotional cord within the reader as they follow the difficulties Dan’s mum goes through and it had me smiling and crying in equal measure. I warn you now, you will need tissues for the ending!
Curlew captures the essence of the canine while intertwining this with a tale about human relationships and adversity. She takes us on a real journey through interesting countries, life and friendship. Whether you are a dog lover or not, you will not fail to be moved by this story of the bond that can exist between different species. There is now a Dan-shaped space in my heart and Curlew has written a fitting tribute to a very special friend.
September 20, 2017
Anyone who owns a dog will often wonder what they are thinking, I know I do often with my loopy Labrador. Well in Dan Knew we get a good idea of how a dog thinks, the similarities with Dan and my old rescue dog were uncanny which made this story all the more special.
A little Ukrainian street dog finds himself all alone after his family are taken away, luck is on his side though when he is rescued and finds a new ‘mum’ and a new home. We then get to follow Dan’s story from Ukraine 2002 to Scotland 2016 and what a story it is.
Just a few pages in and I could feel the tears already and then the relief, I didn’t realise though how Wee Dan would get under my skin and I fell in love, hook, line and sinker. Dan’s not the only dog in this story and although Dan is the narrator, Lada, Ceilidh and Jake all play a role in the story as well.
Dan tells us the story of the love he has for his ‘mum’, the fear he has for HIM and the relationship between ‘mum’ and HIM which isn’t a good one. He smells and senses fear, HIM doesn’t have a good smell and Dan worries when HIM is about as he makes ‘mum’ cry and on edge. The happiness and the love that shines through for his ‘mum’ is truly lovely. He is her protector, ‘mum’ is his human.
The story moves around quite a bit, Dan and his family don’t stay in one place for very long so there are lots of adventures for Dan, new places with different smells, fears and happiness. I really got drawn into this story, it was completely different having a dog as a narrator. Seeing the world and the humans relationships through his eyes was very unique. It gave an extra edge to the story and I think the author has got this spot on.
Dan’s story is a very personal one, it’s a wonderful story about survival, about overcoming fears, about loyalty and the bond we have with our pets. It’s a story of courage and how ‘mum’ over comes the battles she faces each day and how Dan is always by her side. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Dan Knew, its a unique with a gorgeous little dog that you can’t help falling in love with. A highly recommended read.
A little Ukrainian street dog finds himself all alone after his family are taken away, luck is on his side though when he is rescued and finds a new ‘mum’ and a new home. We then get to follow Dan’s story from Ukraine 2002 to Scotland 2016 and what a story it is.
Just a few pages in and I could feel the tears already and then the relief, I didn’t realise though how Wee Dan would get under my skin and I fell in love, hook, line and sinker. Dan’s not the only dog in this story and although Dan is the narrator, Lada, Ceilidh and Jake all play a role in the story as well.
Dan tells us the story of the love he has for his ‘mum’, the fear he has for HIM and the relationship between ‘mum’ and HIM which isn’t a good one. He smells and senses fear, HIM doesn’t have a good smell and Dan worries when HIM is about as he makes ‘mum’ cry and on edge. The happiness and the love that shines through for his ‘mum’ is truly lovely. He is her protector, ‘mum’ is his human.
The story moves around quite a bit, Dan and his family don’t stay in one place for very long so there are lots of adventures for Dan, new places with different smells, fears and happiness. I really got drawn into this story, it was completely different having a dog as a narrator. Seeing the world and the humans relationships through his eyes was very unique. It gave an extra edge to the story and I think the author has got this spot on.
Dan’s story is a very personal one, it’s a wonderful story about survival, about overcoming fears, about loyalty and the bond we have with our pets. It’s a story of courage and how ‘mum’ over comes the battles she faces each day and how Dan is always by her side. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Dan Knew, its a unique with a gorgeous little dog that you can’t help falling in love with. A highly recommended read.
September 18, 2017
When I first heard about Dan Knew I thought it sounded like a lovely premise for a novel. It tells the story of Dan, a plucky puppy born to a street dog in Ukraine. He is rescued by an expat family who take him in along with various other dogs and cats along the way.
I thought it got off to a relatively slow start. Dan was a gorgeous and loyal dog to his 'mum' but the life of a dog isn't the most exciting thing to read about. But, and there's a big but here, I think the fact that I knew it was semi-autobiographical made all the difference. I wasn't reading about a character here but a real dog, one who had meant the world to his owner and he really came to life for me as I read about him. At the beginning I was wondering how the author could sustain the story for 300+ pages but it really did work and as I got more involved in the story I started to love it.
From Dan's point of view we go through many trials and tribulations in his human mum's life. I won't go into it here but she really goes through the mill. And Dan and his family (including their other wonderful dogs, Lada, Ceilidh and Jake) move around a lot and Dan certainly becomes a seasoned traveller across Europe. I thought his feelings were put across really well - imagine how an animal feels being left without his mum and put on an aeroplane, ferry or train: bewildered, lost and unsure.
I think there's an inevitability about most animal stories and the ending of this one left me sobbing. It's altogether a very moving and emotional story and I thought Dan was just lovely. I'm so pleased that I read about him.
I thought it got off to a relatively slow start. Dan was a gorgeous and loyal dog to his 'mum' but the life of a dog isn't the most exciting thing to read about. But, and there's a big but here, I think the fact that I knew it was semi-autobiographical made all the difference. I wasn't reading about a character here but a real dog, one who had meant the world to his owner and he really came to life for me as I read about him. At the beginning I was wondering how the author could sustain the story for 300+ pages but it really did work and as I got more involved in the story I started to love it.
From Dan's point of view we go through many trials and tribulations in his human mum's life. I won't go into it here but she really goes through the mill. And Dan and his family (including their other wonderful dogs, Lada, Ceilidh and Jake) move around a lot and Dan certainly becomes a seasoned traveller across Europe. I thought his feelings were put across really well - imagine how an animal feels being left without his mum and put on an aeroplane, ferry or train: bewildered, lost and unsure.
I think there's an inevitability about most animal stories and the ending of this one left me sobbing. It's altogether a very moving and emotional story and I thought Dan was just lovely. I'm so pleased that I read about him.
September 16, 2017
When Fiona contacted me to ask me if I was interested in reading her new book about a dog named Dan, she had me at 'dog'.
Anyone who knows me knows I love dogs, so this story about a little dog, rescued by a family, intrigued me.
The story is told entirely from Dan's point of view, which is refreshing, and also very funny at times. The author shows her knowledge of dogs, bringing our little canine to life within the pages. He knows 'Mum', but her husband is only ever known as 'Him', which is quite telling about his position in the family. Dan settles in with his new family, including other dogs, after being rescued from a harsh life on the streets in Ukraine.
I found it a little hard keeping up with the family's ever-changing locations, but then I guess a dog wouldn't know places by names as we humans do, but Dan recognises familiar places by scent and sight. The author described the cold snowy winters very well, making me shiver even in our summer heat.
Dan's devotion to his Mum is evident, and his confusion at some of the human behaviour is quite funny, but also heartbreaking. He shows how dogs are so empathetic with their owners, feeling sad when they are sad, and wanting to protect them. Dogs are more than family, and it was lovely reading this book as told from the littlest member of this dysfunctional family.
I want a dog.
Anyone who knows me knows I love dogs, so this story about a little dog, rescued by a family, intrigued me.
The story is told entirely from Dan's point of view, which is refreshing, and also very funny at times. The author shows her knowledge of dogs, bringing our little canine to life within the pages. He knows 'Mum', but her husband is only ever known as 'Him', which is quite telling about his position in the family. Dan settles in with his new family, including other dogs, after being rescued from a harsh life on the streets in Ukraine.
I found it a little hard keeping up with the family's ever-changing locations, but then I guess a dog wouldn't know places by names as we humans do, but Dan recognises familiar places by scent and sight. The author described the cold snowy winters very well, making me shiver even in our summer heat.
Dan's devotion to his Mum is evident, and his confusion at some of the human behaviour is quite funny, but also heartbreaking. He shows how dogs are so empathetic with their owners, feeling sad when they are sad, and wanting to protect them. Dogs are more than family, and it was lovely reading this book as told from the littlest member of this dysfunctional family.
I want a dog.
October 7, 2017
I was thrilled to be approached by the author to read this latest book as reviewed her previous one To Retribution, you can read my review for that one here, I also got to ask her some questions.
Dan Knew is a completely different story to the other book and I as a huge animal and particularly dog lover I was extremely interested by the premise of the story, it is safe to say that Dan Knew did not disappoint. I found it moving and beautifully written.
Dan was rescued from the streets of the Ukraine by the author and her family and this book is his story told in his own voice, a brilliant way of telling the story as we got to see some of the adventures he went on. This included different countries, a mistrust of machinery and even people.
This is the merging of the lives of canines and those of the humans and the various interactions. I found this a realistic and moving portrayal of life, and the fact that ultimately is doesn't always run smoothly or how we would like.
Expertly written by the author, her love for Dan shines through and this book is an absolutely fitting tribute to him. I really enjoyed this one and I will remember Dan for a long time. A story for animal lovers, dog lovers or generally anybody that has a heart.
Dan Knew is a completely different story to the other book and I as a huge animal and particularly dog lover I was extremely interested by the premise of the story, it is safe to say that Dan Knew did not disappoint. I found it moving and beautifully written.
Dan was rescued from the streets of the Ukraine by the author and her family and this book is his story told in his own voice, a brilliant way of telling the story as we got to see some of the adventures he went on. This included different countries, a mistrust of machinery and even people.
This is the merging of the lives of canines and those of the humans and the various interactions. I found this a realistic and moving portrayal of life, and the fact that ultimately is doesn't always run smoothly or how we would like.
Expertly written by the author, her love for Dan shines through and this book is an absolutely fitting tribute to him. I really enjoyed this one and I will remember Dan for a long time. A story for animal lovers, dog lovers or generally anybody that has a heart.
September 17, 2017
Oh boy, this book! This book tore my heart out and made me fall in love all within 331 pages. I warn you that you will need tissues both for tears of laughter and sorrow.
I was so naive going into Dan Knew, I was aware that it was a book from the perspective of a dog, but I tend not to read the synopsis just before reading a book as I like to try and go in knowing as little as possible. What I didn't know was that this was a book that not only looked at life and the world through the eyes of a different species, but also took a look at how complicated and heartbreaking life is.
The writing is very well done and though it is through the eyes of a dog, it's very easy to read and it's interesting to see how F J Curlow has imagined (or did Dan really talk) that Dan saw and understood the world. I was sucked in from the first page and I had to drag myself away when it was time to put the book down as I became so invested in the lives of Dan and his family, both human and canine alike. Each character is captured beautifully and I've come away feeling like I really knew each and every one of them.
I thoroughly enjoyed Dan Knew and I recommend this to absolutely everyone!
I was so naive going into Dan Knew, I was aware that it was a book from the perspective of a dog, but I tend not to read the synopsis just before reading a book as I like to try and go in knowing as little as possible. What I didn't know was that this was a book that not only looked at life and the world through the eyes of a different species, but also took a look at how complicated and heartbreaking life is.
The writing is very well done and though it is through the eyes of a dog, it's very easy to read and it's interesting to see how F J Curlow has imagined (or did Dan really talk) that Dan saw and understood the world. I was sucked in from the first page and I had to drag myself away when it was time to put the book down as I became so invested in the lives of Dan and his family, both human and canine alike. Each character is captured beautifully and I've come away feeling like I really knew each and every one of them.
I thoroughly enjoyed Dan Knew and I recommend this to absolutely everyone!
September 4, 2017
This is a very poignant story about a rather special little dog called Dan who was rescued from the streets of Ukraine and taken on an unforgettable journey. Told from Dan's perspective, we get a unique insight into his thoughts and feelings, and of his awareness, and sometimes bewilderment, of what is going on in the world of his 'mum' and her family. That he is very much part of a family is obvious in the way that Dan interacts, both with the humans and other animals who form his world.
Dan Knew is a very emotional story which is told from a canine perspective in an entirely believable and very readable way. From the start we get to know the world that Dan inhabits, his frequent journeys from country to country, his wariness of machines, his distrust of vets and of his ongoing relationship with the other dogs in the family, particularly,Ceilidh.
The overwhelming love that the author has for Dan is obvious in every well written word of this lovely story, which allows Dan's unique voice to be heard and understood in a very special way.
Dan Knew is a very emotional story which is told from a canine perspective in an entirely believable and very readable way. From the start we get to know the world that Dan inhabits, his frequent journeys from country to country, his wariness of machines, his distrust of vets and of his ongoing relationship with the other dogs in the family, particularly,Ceilidh.
The overwhelming love that the author has for Dan is obvious in every well written word of this lovely story, which allows Dan's unique voice to be heard and understood in a very special way.
September 21, 2017
I am an avid reader and will try any genre of books. This booked appeared to be a little different in that it was written through the eyes of a dog. Having read and enjoyed The Art of Driving in the Rain which was also written through the eyes of a dog, I thought I would try Dan Knew. Certainly not disappointed. It was like an addiction! I couldn't get to my daily 'fix' quick enough and only stopped reading when sleep beat me. It is a fantastic story and very cleverly written. I found myself picturing the scenes described in the book and the storyline was engaging. I can't praise this book highly enough and would recommend it as a 'must read'. I really didn't want to reach the end.
January 9, 2026
i read this for book club and was severely disappointed. i am genuinely very confused about the high ratings but i assume maybe families with similar immigration experiences, those close to the author, or dog owners/lovers. i felt this was majorly repetitive especially in the first 200ish pages.. and although the concept of having the dog narrate was interesting, it was like reading pages from the perspective of a toddler with no development although the book spanned across time. not for me unfortunately.
October 8, 2017
‘The animals in this book are all real, as are their stories.
The people’s names have been changed to protect their privacy.
Fact or fiction? Well. dogs can’t talk, can they?’
These are the words of author FJ Curlew in reference to her second novel Dan Knew.
In this book the author tells us about life as seen through the eyes of Danya, a stray that was given a home in the Ukraine in 2002.
This is Dan’s story…
‘Snatching at the ground. Eyes staring. A bad noise. The body of a dog. Noses high, hackles raised, senses on alert. Fresh meat. They pulled at it, tearing bits of flesh from it’s body. Growling and snarling at each other. I watched my mother edging forward….a quick dash, a snap, a growl, and she was running back with meat in her mouth.’
A puppy’s view from under a building where he lives with his mother and siblings. Their life is a daily struggle, scavenging to survive. But a dramatic turn of events changes everything and puppy soon ends up in the care of humans, who lovingly take him in and name him Danya (soon shortened to Dan)
Dan soon becomes acquainted with the two resident dogs in the house, Ceilidh and Lada, and life settles in to a routine.
But from the beginning, Dan senses all is not right. There is a presence in the family of a male individual who Dan refers to as HIM. It is HIM that he fears and it is HIM that creates a scary environment for all.
Dan loves Mum and her daughter Lily. He loves being with them and he loves nothing more than seeing Mum come in the door after her day’s work. Mum works in the International Schools as a teacher, so they move around a lot to various parts of Europe. Mum is originally from Scotland but her love of travelling took her overseas to discover new places and new ways of life.
But as Dan is soon a witness to, the life of Mum is not such a good one. Mum is constantly looking over her shoulder and permanently on edge. Her passion for her animals and the love for her daughter help her through some very tough days.
Dan spends many hours travelling to various parts of the world and we get to see these experiences over the years through his eyes. Over eleven years, he lives in Ukraine, Estonia, Lithuania, Portugal. He travels back to the UK and Scotland. He makes journeys on planes, trains and boats, all narrated to the reader from a dog’s perspective.
Dan Knew is a very personal story. It is the story of a fight for survival. It is a story of the love we have for our pets and the attachments that develop. It is the story of one woman’s courage, against all the odds, to deal with the traumatic events that challenge her on a daily basis. It is the story of how one little dog called Danya was a shining light when times were dark.
‘This is a story of Darkness and Triumph’
The people’s names have been changed to protect their privacy.
Fact or fiction? Well. dogs can’t talk, can they?’
These are the words of author FJ Curlew in reference to her second novel Dan Knew.
In this book the author tells us about life as seen through the eyes of Danya, a stray that was given a home in the Ukraine in 2002.
This is Dan’s story…
‘Snatching at the ground. Eyes staring. A bad noise. The body of a dog. Noses high, hackles raised, senses on alert. Fresh meat. They pulled at it, tearing bits of flesh from it’s body. Growling and snarling at each other. I watched my mother edging forward….a quick dash, a snap, a growl, and she was running back with meat in her mouth.’
A puppy’s view from under a building where he lives with his mother and siblings. Their life is a daily struggle, scavenging to survive. But a dramatic turn of events changes everything and puppy soon ends up in the care of humans, who lovingly take him in and name him Danya (soon shortened to Dan)
Dan soon becomes acquainted with the two resident dogs in the house, Ceilidh and Lada, and life settles in to a routine.
But from the beginning, Dan senses all is not right. There is a presence in the family of a male individual who Dan refers to as HIM. It is HIM that he fears and it is HIM that creates a scary environment for all.
Dan loves Mum and her daughter Lily. He loves being with them and he loves nothing more than seeing Mum come in the door after her day’s work. Mum works in the International Schools as a teacher, so they move around a lot to various parts of Europe. Mum is originally from Scotland but her love of travelling took her overseas to discover new places and new ways of life.
But as Dan is soon a witness to, the life of Mum is not such a good one. Mum is constantly looking over her shoulder and permanently on edge. Her passion for her animals and the love for her daughter help her through some very tough days.
Dan spends many hours travelling to various parts of the world and we get to see these experiences over the years through his eyes. Over eleven years, he lives in Ukraine, Estonia, Lithuania, Portugal. He travels back to the UK and Scotland. He makes journeys on planes, trains and boats, all narrated to the reader from a dog’s perspective.
Dan Knew is a very personal story. It is the story of a fight for survival. It is a story of the love we have for our pets and the attachments that develop. It is the story of one woman’s courage, against all the odds, to deal with the traumatic events that challenge her on a daily basis. It is the story of how one little dog called Danya was a shining light when times were dark.
‘This is a story of Darkness and Triumph’
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