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My Hero Theo: The brave police dog who went beyond the call of duty to save lives

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THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER ‘I’d been in so many scrapes with Theo and he’d always saved me. Those days were the hardest of my life so far and … at the darkest point, those big brown eyes and that torn ear where I needed them to be. Right there next to me.’ PC Gareth Greaves first met Theo, a German Shepherd, when he was a nervous 14-month-old puppy. They were instantly inseparable and police dog Theo became the best partner Gareth’s ever had. During six-and-a-half years of active service, police dog Theo located, tracked and detained suspects leading to more than 200 arrests. In that time, he endured broken ribs and being bitten by assailants as well as being set on fire. From tackling and detaining an arsonist, to protecting Gareth from a gang of men with machetes in an armed robbery, Theo’s bravery knew no bounds. Time and time again he put his own life at risk (often coming close to death) to save others. Even while off duty Theo has been a rock to his partner, providing emotional support as Gareth learned that some of the hardest battles aren’t always on the front line. My Hero Theo is the heartwarming story of one man and his heroic dog – and the bond that sees them go above and beyond the call of duty to keep each other safe.

320 pages, Paperback

Published August 31, 2021

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Gareth Greaves

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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Louise Wilson.
3,714 reviews1,695 followers
June 19, 2021
PC Gareth Greaves first met Theo, a German Shepherd, when he was a nervous fourteen month old puppy. They were instantly inseparable and police dog Theo became the best police dog Gareth's ever had. During six and a half years of active service, police dog Theo located, tracked and detained suspects leading to more than 200 arrests. Even off duty, Theo has been a rock to his partner, providing emotional support as Gareth learned that some of the hardest battles aren't always on the front line.

This story tugged at my heartstrings on several occasions. At times, the gruelling things that one man and his dog have to go through in their line of duty, beggars belief. This is a terrific insight into dog handling. We also learn a lot about Gareth's background, he's brutally honest and talks freely of his family who he's clearly devoted too. I loved learning about Gareth and Theo's working relationship. I hope Theo has a long and happy retirement.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #Nonfiction and the author #GarethGreaves for my ARC of #MyHeroTheo in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Alice-Elizabeth (Prolific Reader Alice).
1,163 reviews166 followers
August 2, 2020
Listened to the audiobook via BookBeat UK!

I found My Hero Theo to be incredibly moving and this memoir clearly shows a great example of why animals should be loved, respected and cherished always. From Theo being a puppy and then trained into becoming a police dog, every chapter was just another interesting adventure between Theo and his handler Gareth. Both have been through lots of life events both joyful and painful. Very emotional towards the end and was a good listen on a relaxing summer's day.
108 reviews2 followers
September 8, 2020
Incredible! I absolutely loved reading this book and it was a reminder of how appreciative we should all be for these remarkable police dog handlers and their dogs that often lay their lives on the line to protect the unsuspecting public at any time of the day or night to take dangerous criminals off the streets. There was a very close bond between Gareth and Theo. Each trusted the other implicitly and on more than one occasion Theo saved his handler`s life, and the lives of other people. Theo seemed to know instinctively what was expected of him, and would `go in` even when his own life was being threatened. He would never run away.
A very brave, loyal, German Shepherd that became very well known and respected throughout all the police forces. He was eventually retired, due to his age, and lived at home with Gareth, as a `pet`, which must have been a very difficult adjustment for them both at first.
There are some lovely photographs of Theo and the other working dogs in Gareth`s life at the back of this book. Not to be missed!
Profile Image for Stephen Wallace.
859 reviews103 followers
May 7, 2024
I love Police dog books! This one I think has some of the most amazing (dog) cops and robbers’ stories in it. Theo the dog is very worthy of being in my ‘dogs-favorite-books’ but a few elements distracted me from the pure ‘dog’ story.

How much the author loved being a dog handler can be summed up after he was told:

'‘Once you’re on the Dog Unit, you’ll never want to give it up.’
He was right: it’s the best job in the world.
If you think about the most exciting thing you’ve ever done and times it by ten, then think about doing it every day with your best friend and getting paid for it, that’s what being a police dog handler is like. It’s the best game of hide and seek ever. Every dog owner knows how much fun it is to play with your dog. I knew if I worked hard and passed out with flying colours, I’d be able to play with my dog every single day and get paid for it. Yes, there’s a cost and a risk to chasing baddies but, ultimately, to your dog it’s a game.'

The perp apprehensions were great, but I don’t want to give too much away giving too many excerpts. The details of the chase were sometimes drawn-out affairs scraping through brush, crossing marshy areas or streams, and going over fences. What was amazing was the times that Theo could figure out something different or go a little further than what you would expect. Here are a few bits:

‘I hid behind a wall and looked inside: there were three adult men getting changed and throwing money around like they were in some Hollywood movie. Shocked and delighted, I couldn’t contain my excitement: ‘Bloody hell, Theo, you’ve found them, you’ve bloody found them!’ I whispered and gave him a stroke, my heart pounding.

Theo had found the team of armed robbers.

What I was feeling inevitably went down the lead. Theo was whimpering, he was expecting the challenges to be issued, but I couldn’t with so many of them. There was a chance he’d fare okay against three but it was unlikely even with the element of surprise on our side.’

Here is one of the more brutal bits:

‘The initial adrenaline rush of the fight started to wear off, but the lad we were fighting had taken something and was in another world. He was swinging and still trying to get Theo and bite him. Theo was anchored on, but with the suspect refusing to yield, he didn’t know what to do next.

Things were going south pretty fast.

I heard him bite Theo, I heard the cartilage in Theo’s ear go, so I put the lad in a headlock and tried to choke him out so he’d let go of my dog. There hadn’t been any training for this - we hadn’t been shown what to do or how to deal with someone trying to hurt our dogs when we'd been new recruits at Hough End but here I was, with someone trying to hurt my dog and me fighting, brawling, to try and stay on my feet and save his life.

The lad let go of Theo, who rounded by my side and went to go in again. I was bent double with the lad in a headlock and all I could hear were horrendous thuds. It was like the sound of someone booting a football as hard as they could from zero range against a wall.

I lifted my head to see it was Theo who was being kicked repeatedly in the face. He was trying to get back in to anchor onto the suspect and detain him but every time he launched at him, this lad was kicking him as hard as he could in the face. The whole ordeal lasted over seven minutes and not once during that time did Theo give out so much as a whimper. He was bleeding, bitten and had endured more in those seven minutes than the entirety of the rest of his service yet unbowed, undeterred and unbroken, he kept on coming back.‘

Here is an example of Theo thinking beyond what would be expected:

‘I unclipped him to go for a wee and he trotted off. Mid-wee, though, he walked off, which was unlike him. We were beside the van and he wandered a few yards down the road and lay down on the corner of two streets, an indication he’d found something. I walked over to see what he’d found and he was lying down right next to the key to the stolen car.

As far as his training was concerned, his job was done, he’d found the baddie. He’d finished what he was supposed to do and been successful. But Theo was more than just a trained police dog, he had learned to think for himself and was now an amazing police dog. He knew when he got that scent it pertained to the job we’d just been on — he’d remembered the scent and linked it to the one coming from the car key. Despite the fact his lead was off and we were back at the van he caught a whiff of something, which told him the job wasn’t over. I couldn’t have trained him in that and I defy any handler who says they could.’

There are a lot of those type of dramatic cops and robbers stories to enjoy in the book including attacking someone who had just set themselves on fire, and another time getting the person who had attacked his wife (who is also a Police Officer).

The book also a lot about the author Gareth or ‘G’. He gets into the department to handle dogs, but as can sometimes be easy to do when you are on a high note in life, he screws it up. This bit gives you an idea of what leads him on that path:

‘I would go on call-outs that would take hours, minutes before my shift finished, while other handlers didn’t, and I started to resent how hard I was working compared to some other handlers I knew. I should have just kept my head down and ploughed on, but I was becoming obnoxious and thought someone above me should have sorted it out. I’m taking full responsibility for the idiot I was becoming, but when you’re doing well and you’re bringing in great results, it’s hard not believe the hype and start to think you're the best at what you do.’

He is able to get past his mistakes at work but unfortunately puts too much into his job and not into his marriage.

‘I started to feel like I was living for work. It was addictive: I’d been useless at home, but I could help people at work, I was useful. The more use I was to people, the more use | wanted to be. It was like an addiction.’

We can all learn from other people’s mistakes. I also appreciate honest accounts of a person’s actions and life. All aspects are relevant parts of the story with Gareth and Theo.

I want to end on a nice excerpt after their actions apprehending some criminals gained accolades from the higher up in the Police force:

‘For me it was a huge deal to get that care from so far up the chain and it dawned on me that I couldn’t ever thank Theo enough. Yes, I could treat him and give him lots of love, but he’d never understand the gravitas of what he’d done. He didn’t know the cause and effect. He didn’t know there were kids safe in their beds thanks to him, that kids had their Christmas presents back because of him, that bad people were off the streets and in prison.

All because of him.’
Profile Image for Kate Southey.
225 reviews15 followers
May 16, 2021
Such a wonderful book! Gareth’s love for his job is only eclipsed by his love for Theo and then his daughter and Theo. I was so impressed with Gareth’s candour over his early arrogance and how he left the dog unit and then fought his way back to the job he loved.
As an assistance dog owner my dog is my world so I totally get the intensity of the working relationship Gareth and Theo had and he told their story so well the book was an incredibly quick read. This is a great book for anyone who loves dogs, is interested in police procedure or who just likes a well written memoir.
378 reviews8 followers
June 9, 2021
What a truly glorious book! I love dogs and was excited to read about Theo, but what I did not expect was such a beautiful, soul bearing and emotional read.
Gareth is a huge hearted open book, and his lifelong love of dogs culminates in him achieving his dream of becoming a police dog handler.
Gareth makes plenty of life mistakes, he is a heart on his sleeve, brutally honest, insightful and loving man, his story includes a lot about his family and it is clear he is devoted to them.
If you have ever loved a dog deeply you will know about the Bond, and Gareth is a man who loves his dogs deeply, his story of his incredible relationship with Theo makes for emotional reading, and it isnt just the amazing Theo! there are other wonderful dogs too (so happy about Sevvy!).
I really loved this book, Gareth is so true to himself and authentic, his deep love of his dogs and family shine through, as do his bravery and honesty.
Gareth, I've been where you were on that night staring at that tree, and it is my beautiful dog who has saved me, Im so glad yours did too, you are a truly amazing man.
If you love dogs, you have to read this beautiful book.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins for the advance copy
Profile Image for Chelsea May xxx.
649 reviews4 followers
November 29, 2024
I read this book in over just 24 hours as I could put this book down at all. Thank you to Gareth and Theo for all your hard work and your service to the police force. I love reading books about police dogs and this book had me hooked from the very beginning as it showed the ups and downs of being a police officer working with a dog. I felt sorri when the both got injured but unfortunately that what happens in there line of work. I loved Garth and Theo’s relationship at home as it shows how a dog should be loved and well looked after and I loved how Gareth took great of Theo when he got injured. I felt sad when the relationship of Gareth’s marriage broke down but he put all his focus onto Theo in the end. I liked how we so how the criminals were caught and how they were caught it was such a great insight in the police force xxx
Profile Image for Mack.
192 reviews28 followers
May 19, 2022
Thankyou to Gareth and Theo for your devotion and courageous contribution to duty. What a wonderful story of loyalty and determination. May you enjoy many more cheese sandwiches Theo.
Profile Image for Becky.
139 reviews
October 29, 2022
Ahh this was just a really nice book. Very easy reading, loved learning about police dogs, fascinating to hear the stories.
Profile Image for Philip Jones.
23 reviews4 followers
February 3, 2023
I highly recommend this heart-warming tale about a police dog and his handler. It touches on your emotions and provides you with a real insight into the dangers faced by these loyal companions.
Profile Image for Lauren.
72 reviews
September 19, 2023
Could not put this book down and finished in in two days
Easy to read and a gripping timeline of the life of a police dog, great insight into the real world of policing. Would recommend to anyone
Profile Image for Annie-shrooms Grant.
2 reviews
June 28, 2020
Gripping heartening heart warming amazing must read

Where do I start
This book was recommended to me by the one and only fabulous Finn.
Finn is a retired police dog look up fabulous Finn and #finnslawpart2 and get behind it if you have not already.
sorry Gareth have to highlight that now back to you theo and this amazing book.
This book has got everything for anyone that loves anything about policing and the dog handling side of policing .
Tails of jobs they have worked ,funny moments and all so some sad ones thrown in to the mix.
its a well written thrilling ride that's a real page turner.
Gareth makes you fall in love with theo and shows just how amazing loyal and fabulous police dogs are (any dog) and what them and there handlers go though in the line of duty .
Gareth's feelings are truly beautiful emotional and heart warming to read.
They'd record leaves you speechless and amazed
My one criticism it was not Long enough 😄
I wish theo a long and happy retirement
And gareth all the best with theo's predecessor kia.
( Malinios Ohhh boy I have one she's a head case )
go bite some bad guys for us boy
Gareth thank you for a wonderful read ❤
Profile Image for Dog Tired .
4 reviews
August 25, 2020
Very enjoyable read. As a dog handler myself, I get exactly what Gareth writes about. The bond between both dog and handler is something that is very difficult to articulate but Gareth has done an excellent job here in describing what binds both together.
Theo, may you have a long and happy retirement, and Gareth, with a bit of luck the new dog will be as successful as Theo was.

Stay Safe.

B
3 reviews
August 23, 2020
Illuminating. Amazing what Dogs can be taught if you know how

Great book, interesting, funny, sad, exciting, it has it all! Keep the tissues to hand though. If you love Dogs
3 reviews
January 11, 2021
Brilliant and easy read! A fantastic insight into Dog Handling within the Police
Profile Image for Shannon.
405 reviews26 followers
June 28, 2021
Thankyou to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, Nonfiction for the arc of My Hero Theo by Gareth Greaves.

5 Star read- This follows PC Gareth Greaves whom comes across Puppy German Shepherd Theo whom was 14 months and very nervous. But Theo and Gareth were inseparable and the best police dog he's ever had. He was active duty as a police dog for six and half years. He helped to locate, and track down leading to 200 arrests of criminals and suspects.

This was a heartwarming and emotional read but was amazing! Highly recommend 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
11 reviews1 follower
October 13, 2023
This is the incredibly emotional account of a police dog who went beyond the call of duty to save lives. Initially we clearly see a very nervous and shy dog—the question at that time is can he make it? His progressive development into the incredible police dog we see as his career progresses is nothing short of incredible. The story tells of the highs and the lows of both dog and handler. really beautiful.
Profile Image for Annarella.
14.2k reviews167 followers
October 27, 2021
A poignant, heartwarming and emotionally charged book: it made me smile, remember my dogs and cry buckets.
It's also an interesting story about dog handling and what means working with a police dog.
I think it's a must read for any dog lover.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Profile Image for Susan Curtis .
350 reviews8 followers
December 31, 2021
Incredible !!!

Gareth Greaves, you have lead an incredible life which was enhanced with your relationship with your dogs, especially Theo. I too am a dog person and had a dog that I haven’t been to replace and it’s been probably 30 + years ago. Congratulations to your success and to your family of dogs. Totally recommend this book.
Profile Image for Connor Begley.
2 reviews
October 31, 2020
Best book i have ever read, i couldn't keep the book out of my hand. Loved every minute of reading this!
38 reviews
November 17, 2020
Excellent

Loved this book absolutely amazing inspirational. Really really enjoy reading it to customer's where I work who loved it. Brilliant
3 reviews
June 30, 2021
Couldn't put it down

Thoroughly enjoyed this book, made me cry sometimes, I wish Gareth well. He and his latest police dog are keeping people safe
1 review
May 7, 2022
Love dogs

If you love dogs you will love this book. A great book to read and enjoy. What an amazing dog....
Profile Image for Rosemary Brewer.
16 reviews8 followers
December 3, 2022
Such a wonderful book that gave me an insight into a sector I'd not heard much a about! Well written and loved the reflection on his past, would definitely recommend.
Profile Image for ❀ Sissy ❀.
24 reviews13 followers
June 11, 2024
Wonderful! This book gives lots of insight on what goes on between a police dog and his handler.
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