Saving Lucy: A Girl, A Bike, A Street Dog

by Ishbel Rose Holmes

Ishbel Rose Holmes was adrift and alone when she set out to bicycle across the world. She was pedalling across Turkey when a street dog, Lucy, crossed her path and changed her life forever.

Ishbel did not want anything or anyone to slow her down, but when she witnessed Lucy attacked by other dogs, Ishbel rescued her—forming a deep bond between the pair. Ishbel recognized her own vulnerability in her new canine friend and launched a heartfelt mission to find Lucy a home and give her a happy life.

Their adventures took them to the Syrian border and into the hearts of everyone who met them. People around the world who followed the story on Ishbel’s blog, World Bike Girl, watched as Lucy’s unconditional love broke down the wall around Ishbel’s heart. When Lucy died unexpectedly in her arms, Ishbel realized that Lucy had found a home after all—with her, and that Ishbel had been Lucy’s happy ever after.

Genres: Cycling, Nonfiction

208 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Cara Achterberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible story! I hope the situation for dogs in Turkey has improved since this was written. I was captivated and invested as I rode along with Ishbel seeing the country and its people through her eyes and her heart. The story is beautifully told by this brave writer/cyclist/human. She bares her soul, her personal story and growth, as well as the love story between Lucy, herself, and a community of followers.

[Diana Donnelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great memoir about a young woman who rescues a dog while she is biking through Turkey. Her bravery as she tackles this alone in country where she does not speak the language is amazing. Having had a difficult upbringing she relates to this poor dog who has also struggled. Their bond is extremely strong and their story is incredible. She had posted on Facebook and had many followers and folks who reached out to help. Most enjoyable read

[Ben Rhodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

aWow! I am an American who has rescued a few street dogs and cats myself! It is a labor of love! Thanks for reminding me of that! I also had a less than perfect relationship with my Mom. Finally, I realized she just didn't like me much. God has been great to me and that's what keeps me going.😊 I adore dogs and cats and have rescued several myself. Thanks for reminding me how very blessed we are to have dogs and cats in our lives. As for your cycling trips, you go,girl!😊

Great to give a delightful dog a good home! Dogs are wonderful and so loyal if you treat them well and properly feed them. They are even good to cruel owners who don't t...reat them well! Thank You for all you are doing

[Cora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written story of a woman in her first year of cycling the world. A stray street dog starts following her somewhere in Turkey. After the dog was viciously attacked by a pack of other street dogs, Ishbel seeks care for the dog. She discovers that there is a dog sanctuary a few hundred miles away, so sets out cycling with Lucy in tow.

This is a true story and told so lovingly and brutally honestly by World Bike Girl herself. Don't do like I did and go and read her blog before finishing the book...it will spoil it. Go on the journey with her and Lucy. I highly recommend.

[norma baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

finding the love of a street dog in Turkey

Ishbel suffered from the the lack of personal, loving relationships during her formative years. This lack of experience stunted her social growth but she found immense love from a street dog in Turkey that adopted her. Read this wonderful book to learn more.

[David L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible Book

This story grabs your heart and never lets go. Isabel, the author, is an incredible young woman. The story of her healing from a dysfunctional upbringing is amazing. Her rescue of a street dog in Turkey is full of adventure, and her ability to adjust to all kinds of experiences keeps your interest riveted to her story.

[Ann Balaban · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book

This was a wonderful story. Of course I cried at the end but the whole book was so good I couldn't put it down. Now I'm going online to make a donation to Lucy's Legacy. Thank you for all your good work.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave me mixed emotions. All she did for Lucy, her love, devotion and desire to make life better for her no matter the cost was so inspiring and heartwarming. Her own personal story was tragic and depressing and so very sad that those parts were almost impossible to get through.

[Audiobook Accomplice (Gillian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two damaged souls—coming together. Not to be missed!
My Full Review

[Lisa Loop · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 is for the story

Ishbel, you have touched my heart with your boundless courage and capacity for love. Thank you for sharing your story.

[Victoria Garver lippert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully descriptive book. Couldn't put it down.

[Amber Kirschbaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personal and heartfelt. You can feel her advocacy and love for stray animals. I would recommend this to anyone whom works with rescues.

[Betty Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely incredible.

[Leslie Shofner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please read.

What an uplifting story. It proves just how much pets mean to us and how much we mean to them. It will bless you.

[Madalene · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story probably reads better as a series of social media posts (which it originally was) with photos - the connection the author feels to Lucy is strong, but reads (audiobook version) as a insistence to demand care for a single dog in a country that doesn't generally allow dogs inside and sees them as bad luck - leading to a sense of a mismatch in culture, rather than a tough world vs. one woman and her new dog friend. Also, sounds like biking in Turkey as a individual woman is awful! Very different than "This Road I Ride", which made it sound like a dream. Many occasions exist in this book of Turkish men yelling "SEX! SEX!" at the author as she bikes along and/or forcing her into situations aiming to overpower her into the same. I hope her future travels are much safer and that her overall message, of getting street dogs and cats into loving homes, works better as she continues her efforts.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 4 of my #2019readingchallenge is "Saving Lucy" by Ishbel Rose Holmes. It's a quick read, the story of a young woman who plans to cycle the world but instead gets trailed by a pup who changes her life. They stick through the worst, traveling in rural Turkey towards Syria, jumping from wild campsites to friends' homes. It is way stressful.

So, yeah, there are obstacles, and yes, this is the story about the love of a dog so you know it's gonna hurt A LOT, but it was an engaging and fascinating story, plot-driven, and sweet. I enjoyed it and felt super connected to Ishbel and Lucy by the end.

Btw, don't read the end in public. 😭😭😭

[Lartemis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely, scary, gentle, sad, thought-provoking book. I listened to the audiobook on "hoopla" read by Lucy Rayner. What a wonderful Scottish accent! She added so much to my enjoyment of this book.

The dog's name is Lucy, the narrator's name is Lucy, and the listener's name is Lucy. What's not to like?

[Jacquelin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aimee picked this out for me because I'm a sucker for rescued dogs

[Roberta Westwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story with lots of heart. I enjoyed little Lucy and how she stole hearts too. She had the power to heal the author’s heart.