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Barrie: How a rescue dog and her owner saved each other
The remarkable true story that became a viral news sensation.
Former Royal Engineer Sean Laidlaw was working as a bomb disposal expert in Syria when he heard whimpering from the rubble of a school that had exploded and collapsed. Upon further inspection he found that the source of the noise was a tiny, abandoned puppy, surrounded by her four dead siblings.
A terrified Barrie initially rejected Sean's advances - but he refused to give up. He made sure she was safe and brought her food and drink, and cordoned off the area to ensure it was safe from explosives. After a few days Barrie grew to trust Sean and eventually the two became inseparable in the three months he was in Syria.
Sean had to return to the UK, leaving Barrie behind. When his contract wasn't renewed he knew he had to bring Barrie home. The two created an unbreakable bond and they were reunited in emotional scenes that have made headlines all over the world.
Sean credits Barrie with helping him with his PTSD and their story is a powerful reminder of the incredible bond that dogs and humans have, and how both can save the other.
Former Royal Engineer Sean Laidlaw was working as a bomb disposal expert in Syria when he heard whimpering from the rubble of a school that had exploded and collapsed. Upon further inspection he found that the source of the noise was a tiny, abandoned puppy, surrounded by her four dead siblings.
A terrified Barrie initially rejected Sean's advances - but he refused to give up. He made sure she was safe and brought her food and drink, and cordoned off the area to ensure it was safe from explosives. After a few days Barrie grew to trust Sean and eventually the two became inseparable in the three months he was in Syria.
Sean had to return to the UK, leaving Barrie behind. When his contract wasn't renewed he knew he had to bring Barrie home. The two created an unbreakable bond and they were reunited in emotional scenes that have made headlines all over the world.
Sean credits Barrie with helping him with his PTSD and their story is a powerful reminder of the incredible bond that dogs and humans have, and how both can save the other.
256 pages, Paperback
Published September 15, 2020
15 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 18, 2024
From one Sean to another, all I can say is I loved this book, the honesty, the home truths, the warmth, the story, not just a dog book, but a story of the troubles many soldiers bring back with them after being abroad, struggling with a civilian life, to become wanted, to become normal, to feel free of the past.
Life is full of surprises, and here we have a dog that changed the life of a soldier, they really did need each other and help each other, and it changed both their life's for ever.
Sean's honesty, his love for this dog Barrie is so strong,his determination, sadly his enormous bad luck, fate is so much part of life.
He might have been a tough soldier, saving many lives, seen enormously sad and horrifying sights, but when it came down to Barrie he was a big softy.
Former Royal Engineer Sean Laidlaw was working as a bomb disposal expert in Syria when he heard whimpering from the rubble of a school that had exploded and collapsed. Upon further inspection he found that the source of the noise was a tiny, abandoned puppy, surrounded by her four dead siblings.
A terrified Barrie initially rejected Sean's advances - but he refused to give up. He made sure she was safe and brought her food and drink, and cordoned off the area to ensure it was safe from explosives. After a few days Barrie grew to trust Sean and eventually the two became inseparable in the three months he was in Syria.
Sean had to return to the UK, leaving Barrie behind. When his contract wasn't renewed he knew he had to bring Barrie home. The two created an unbreakable bond and they were reunited in emotional scenes that have made headlines all over the world.
Sean credits Barrie with helping him with his PTSD and their story is a powerful reminder of the incredible bond that dogs and humans have, and how both can save the other.
A great and recommended read
Life is full of surprises, and here we have a dog that changed the life of a soldier, they really did need each other and help each other, and it changed both their life's for ever.
Sean's honesty, his love for this dog Barrie is so strong,his determination, sadly his enormous bad luck, fate is so much part of life.
He might have been a tough soldier, saving many lives, seen enormously sad and horrifying sights, but when it came down to Barrie he was a big softy.
Former Royal Engineer Sean Laidlaw was working as a bomb disposal expert in Syria when he heard whimpering from the rubble of a school that had exploded and collapsed. Upon further inspection he found that the source of the noise was a tiny, abandoned puppy, surrounded by her four dead siblings.
A terrified Barrie initially rejected Sean's advances - but he refused to give up. He made sure she was safe and brought her food and drink, and cordoned off the area to ensure it was safe from explosives. After a few days Barrie grew to trust Sean and eventually the two became inseparable in the three months he was in Syria.
Sean had to return to the UK, leaving Barrie behind. When his contract wasn't renewed he knew he had to bring Barrie home. The two created an unbreakable bond and they were reunited in emotional scenes that have made headlines all over the world.
Sean credits Barrie with helping him with his PTSD and their story is a powerful reminder of the incredible bond that dogs and humans have, and how both can save the other.
A great and recommended read
November 23, 2022
Excellent
April 21, 2020
This is a great read and give a good insight of the journey Barrie has overcome. It has moments of despair, joy and sadness. Overall it keeps you thoroughly engaged and want to keep reading. Top marks from me and well worth a read!
September 26, 2019
I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this book! There were parts that kept me at the edge of the seat, parts that left me giggling to myself in the middle of the night, parts that left me broken hearted and parts that left me giddy with happiness!
I really appreciated how up close and personal the author gets; especially the part where he describes his disorienting and hopeless experience of returning to a mediocre civilian life after being a decorated soldier for so long. We often hear about soldiers returning home with ptsd, but we never hear about the other struggles that come along with with the job. This book gave me new insight and a new appreciation for soldiers and all they go through to serve their countries!
I really appreciated how up close and personal the author gets; especially the part where he describes his disorienting and hopeless experience of returning to a mediocre civilian life after being a decorated soldier for so long. We often hear about soldiers returning home with ptsd, but we never hear about the other struggles that come along with with the job. This book gave me new insight and a new appreciation for soldiers and all they go through to serve their countries!
November 25, 2020
Das Buch hat mich sehr berührt. Der Autor beschreibt seinen Weg zum Militär wo ihm ein kleiner Hund begegnet der letztendlich sein Schicksal sein soll.
Beginnend von seinem Start in seine militärische Karriere und dem Hintergrund zu diesem Schritt nimmt Sean uns mit auf seine Reise die geprägt wird von Belastungen, Traumata und niederschmetternden Szenen. Eindrucksvoll wird geschildert, was Krieg aus einem Menschen machen kann. Wie sehr Sean darum kämpft, in sein altes, gewohntes Leben zurück zu kehren und wie schwer es ihm fällt, wieder in seine Routine zu kommen. Barrie, der Lichtblick, der kleine Hund, schafft es, ihm wieder Mut zu geben.
Ich liebe Bücher, in denen Tiere eine große Hauptrolle spielen, vor allem, wenn sie so eindrucksvoll geschildert werden wie Barrie. Vor allem war ich daran interessiert, wie Barrie nach England kommen sollte und hätte mir nie gedacht, dass es so schwierig ist, einen Hund mit nach Hause zu nehmen.
Auch die Ehrlichkeit von Sean hat mir imponiert. Klar und nüchtern erzählt er von seinen Problemen und genau das macht das Buch für mich so symapthisch.
Beginnend von seinem Start in seine militärische Karriere und dem Hintergrund zu diesem Schritt nimmt Sean uns mit auf seine Reise die geprägt wird von Belastungen, Traumata und niederschmetternden Szenen. Eindrucksvoll wird geschildert, was Krieg aus einem Menschen machen kann. Wie sehr Sean darum kämpft, in sein altes, gewohntes Leben zurück zu kehren und wie schwer es ihm fällt, wieder in seine Routine zu kommen. Barrie, der Lichtblick, der kleine Hund, schafft es, ihm wieder Mut zu geben.
Ich liebe Bücher, in denen Tiere eine große Hauptrolle spielen, vor allem, wenn sie so eindrucksvoll geschildert werden wie Barrie. Vor allem war ich daran interessiert, wie Barrie nach England kommen sollte und hätte mir nie gedacht, dass es so schwierig ist, einen Hund mit nach Hause zu nehmen.
Auch die Ehrlichkeit von Sean hat mir imponiert. Klar und nüchtern erzählt er von seinen Problemen und genau das macht das Buch für mich so symapthisch.
October 23, 2021
A beautiful story about a man adjusting to civilian life after the army, and how a rescue dog helped him. A well written, descriptive insight into something few of us will experience. As a dog owner, however, I can definitely relate to how a dog can help with mental health and really saving someone.
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November 7, 2021A very hope giving book.
I loved this book. It was very uplifting. I picked it because I love animals but it turned out to be about much more than that. Anyone would also like it who was a soldier or who has a struggle with self confidence. Also it was a double love story. This book has it all.
I loved this book. It was very uplifting. I picked it because I love animals but it turned out to be about much more than that. Anyone would also like it who was a soldier or who has a struggle with self confidence. Also it was a double love story. This book has it all.
September 25, 2019
What's not to love about this book, veteran sufferer with Ptsd goes to help out with clearing IED's funds a puppy and sorts his problems out
April 5, 2020
Fantastic book and very inspiring.
December 2, 2025
A wonderful book proving dogs really are the best therapy. Thankfully, Sean had the foresight to capture Barrie's story from the beginning and we get to see how this angel in fur not only saved Sean, but gave him the skills and knowledge to help others through their trauma and vulnerability. I'm convinced that a higher power was at work to keep Barrie alive, be rescued and fulfill her special mission in life.
Kudos to Netty too, for being an important part of this team, and to WarPaws too for their work.
The story is not all heartwarming and mushy. there is enough heartache and raw feelings to keep it real.
As the book is now 5 years old, I am now following Barrie on Instagram to keep up with her activities and busy social life!
I recommend this book, but if you want a little teaser, there are YouTube videos available to watch.
Kudos to Netty too, for being an important part of this team, and to WarPaws too for their work.
The story is not all heartwarming and mushy. there is enough heartache and raw feelings to keep it real.
As the book is now 5 years old, I am now following Barrie on Instagram to keep up with her activities and busy social life!
I recommend this book, but if you want a little teaser, there are YouTube videos available to watch.
April 17, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. It is an extremely heartwarming story about the special bond between humans and dogs. A wonderful story of how kindness in the middle of hell can lead to the most beautiful moments. The author gives and an honest account of what life can be like living with post traumatic stress disorder for war veterans. It highlights the need to address this somewhat taboo mental health issue and gives hope to others suffering with PTSD that life can and will improve. I loved reading about how one very tough and manly soldier believed he was merely rescuing a suffering puppy when in fact the puppy rescued the soldier.
November 14, 2019
I really enjoyed this book its so hearwarming and a lovely outcome for them both . I had trouble putting it down I enjoyed it that much
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews