Review: A big floppy dog and a blind man
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 08 16, 2011
I really loved this short story.  Something told me it would be good when the little girl in the beginning hears little feet running and turns around to see her stuffed bear and stuffed elephant running across the back yard, unassisted.  The girl's mother is right behind, but this is very normal to her.  This mom is a witch, and can draw on energy left behind by others to make stuffed animals walk, among other things.  She also has a book of spells.As the story progresses the little girl grows up, her mother dies and her father is blinded in an accident, but the daughter has magical powers, too.  They just aren't as strong as her mother's were.  She watches over her father as she promised her mother she would, but about the only thing her father has going for him is drinking all day.  He has an aide who assists him with some things, but one of those things is buying his alcohol.The daughter uses her mother's book of spells to try to give herself stronger powers, and she is awakened one night by the barking of a dog.  I'm a cat lover, but I like dogs, too, but I really and truly love this dog. He captured my heart. I'll just say that he's very persistent, and there is a very funny scene with the dog and the aide to the blind man. The dog isn't exactly a seeing-eye dog, but he is a good helper in what the blind man's daughter wants him to accomplish.This is a very touching story, and one that can really pull on your heartstrings.  I think it is well put together and a very pleasant short story to read. It has its sad moments but there are also some very uplifting things that happen, as well.