What do you think?
Rate this book
Weekends with Daisy
“A heartwarming and utterly charming story about empathy, hope, and letting go. Weekends with Daisy shows us how loving a dog can make us all a little more human.” —Lisa Genova, NYT bestselling author of Still Alice and Love, Anthony
“Moving… with candor that will win over readers.” — Publishers Weekly
“A deceptively simple but powerful account of family bonds, friendship, and the special relationship we have with dogs.” — Kirkus Reviews
When Sharron Luttrell, a journalist still deeply mourning the loss of her family dog, discovers a weekend puppy raiser program for a service dog organization, she knew it was just what she needed to help her move on. It seemed ideal; pick up a puppy on Friday, return it on Sunday night, get a new puppy each year. No strings attached. Well, it turns out there were strings – and they tugged at her every time she had to return “her dog” to its weekday caregiver.
This memoir chronicles Sharron’s year co-parenting Daisy, a sweet Lab puppy, with Keith, Daisy’s other trainer. As Sharron and Keith develop a relationship she likens to “divorced parents handing over the kids,” she becomes curious about Keith’s life story. When Sharron uncovers a tragic event from Keith’s past, she realizes she must take a lesson from Daisy and “think like a dog”— react to circumstances in the present, not the past.
Sharron applies this way of thinking at home too, using the lessons she learned from Daisy to mend her rocky relationship with her teenage daughter. Where once a dramatic eye roll from her daughter would have sparked a battle, Sharron has learned to employ the patience and understanding she practices with Daisy to become a better mom. As Sharron and Keith work tirelessly to ensure Daisy passes her service dog test, she is taught priceless lessons in empathy, compassion and affection. In the end, Sharron’s weekends with Daisy have taught her more than she could ever have imagined.
“Moving… with candor that will win over readers.” — Publishers Weekly
“A deceptively simple but powerful account of family bonds, friendship, and the special relationship we have with dogs.” — Kirkus Reviews
When Sharron Luttrell, a journalist still deeply mourning the loss of her family dog, discovers a weekend puppy raiser program for a service dog organization, she knew it was just what she needed to help her move on. It seemed ideal; pick up a puppy on Friday, return it on Sunday night, get a new puppy each year. No strings attached. Well, it turns out there were strings – and they tugged at her every time she had to return “her dog” to its weekday caregiver.
This memoir chronicles Sharron’s year co-parenting Daisy, a sweet Lab puppy, with Keith, Daisy’s other trainer. As Sharron and Keith develop a relationship she likens to “divorced parents handing over the kids,” she becomes curious about Keith’s life story. When Sharron uncovers a tragic event from Keith’s past, she realizes she must take a lesson from Daisy and “think like a dog”— react to circumstances in the present, not the past.
Sharron applies this way of thinking at home too, using the lessons she learned from Daisy to mend her rocky relationship with her teenage daughter. Where once a dramatic eye roll from her daughter would have sparked a battle, Sharron has learned to employ the patience and understanding she practices with Daisy to become a better mom. As Sharron and Keith work tirelessly to ensure Daisy passes her service dog test, she is taught priceless lessons in empathy, compassion and affection. In the end, Sharron’s weekends with Daisy have taught her more than she could ever have imagined.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published September 10, 2013
25 people are currently reading
1311 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
February 4, 2023
First of all, I must make mention the gorgeous cover. Being a dog lover I’m always drawn to covers with dogs on them, so of course, when I saw this book I just had to purchase it.
Sharron Luttrell is still grieving and mourning the loss of her family dog and anyone who has lost a pet knows how hard and emotional this time can be. When Sharron discovers a weekend puppy training program she knows this is just what she needs. After reading how the program worked she was certain this would be good for her and her family, but convincing her husband might be another matter. After explaining that the puppy was to be picked up on a Friday and then returned on Sunday and what they needed to do whilst it was in their care her husband agreed and before they knew it they were picking up their first puppy and that was when the fun began.
I LOVED this book from start to finish which I knew I would. It takes a special kind of person or family to take on such a big commitment along with time, patience, love and understanding. Weekends With Daisy is a beautifully written memoir that pulled at my heartstrings, but at the same time, I especially enjoyed learning about the “NEADS” Puppy-in-Training program. Highly recommended.
Sharron Luttrell is still grieving and mourning the loss of her family dog and anyone who has lost a pet knows how hard and emotional this time can be. When Sharron discovers a weekend puppy training program she knows this is just what she needs. After reading how the program worked she was certain this would be good for her and her family, but convincing her husband might be another matter. After explaining that the puppy was to be picked up on a Friday and then returned on Sunday and what they needed to do whilst it was in their care her husband agreed and before they knew it they were picking up their first puppy and that was when the fun began.
I LOVED this book from start to finish which I knew I would. It takes a special kind of person or family to take on such a big commitment along with time, patience, love and understanding. Weekends With Daisy is a beautifully written memoir that pulled at my heartstrings, but at the same time, I especially enjoyed learning about the “NEADS” Puppy-in-Training program. Highly recommended.
July 14, 2021
Opening sentence:
“Somewhere between the pickles and the olives I found exactly what I was looking for: a dog.”
The dog the author was referring to was a NEADS Puppy-in-Training. As she learned after “throwing herself at the man with the yellow Lab”, ( her daughter’s words), NEADS trains service dogs. The dogs are mostly trained by inmates in prisons and released to volunteers on weekends. In Sharron Luttrell’s opinion, this sounded like a perfect solution for the loneliness she was experiencing as her kids were growing up and no longer very dependent upon her. Pick up a puppy on Friday, return it on Sunday. A new puppy each year, no strings attached. What Sharron and her family would discover is that there no such thing as a “no strings attached clause” when one signs up as a puppy raiser…
I absolutely loved this book! I’ve read many books about people who volunteer to help raise puppies as service dogs. It takes an incredible amount of commitment and patience to train a dog to the point where it can qualify as an official service animal. It also means that the volunteer goes into the job knowing that it is only temporary; the dog will eventually, if successfully trained, will be given to a person in need of assistance in life. I truly admire people that can do this, sometimes many times, and each time unselfishly give the dog up. My poor little heart breaks just thinking about it!
I recommend this book to anyone who loves dogs!
Memorable quotes:
(Pg. 223)-“The question for me was the same one we ask ourselves all the time about fallen public figures: Is it possible to judge a person’s achievements separately from his or her transgressions? Or will the bad always overshadow the good?”
(Pg. 159)-“In prison, the dogs are a gift, rare beauty in an ugly place composed of hard flat surfaces-all concrete and metal and muted colors with nothing to catch the eye.”
“Somewhere between the pickles and the olives I found exactly what I was looking for: a dog.”
The dog the author was referring to was a NEADS Puppy-in-Training. As she learned after “throwing herself at the man with the yellow Lab”, ( her daughter’s words), NEADS trains service dogs. The dogs are mostly trained by inmates in prisons and released to volunteers on weekends. In Sharron Luttrell’s opinion, this sounded like a perfect solution for the loneliness she was experiencing as her kids were growing up and no longer very dependent upon her. Pick up a puppy on Friday, return it on Sunday. A new puppy each year, no strings attached. What Sharron and her family would discover is that there no such thing as a “no strings attached clause” when one signs up as a puppy raiser…
I absolutely loved this book! I’ve read many books about people who volunteer to help raise puppies as service dogs. It takes an incredible amount of commitment and patience to train a dog to the point where it can qualify as an official service animal. It also means that the volunteer goes into the job knowing that it is only temporary; the dog will eventually, if successfully trained, will be given to a person in need of assistance in life. I truly admire people that can do this, sometimes many times, and each time unselfishly give the dog up. My poor little heart breaks just thinking about it!
I recommend this book to anyone who loves dogs!
Memorable quotes:
(Pg. 223)-“The question for me was the same one we ask ourselves all the time about fallen public figures: Is it possible to judge a person’s achievements separately from his or her transgressions? Or will the bad always overshadow the good?”
(Pg. 159)-“In prison, the dogs are a gift, rare beauty in an ugly place composed of hard flat surfaces-all concrete and metal and muted colors with nothing to catch the eye.”
October 20, 2013
Sharron Kahn Luttrell’s debut memoir, “Weekends with Daisy” is a beautifully written, heartfelt story about co-parenting a service dog-in-training with a prison inmate. But Luttrell delivers much more than a story about a dog.
Luttrell’s conversational writing style and candor set a comfortable pace as she weaves together the complex emotions that accompany taking on the responsibility of training an animal to assist someone in need, accepting the fluctuating and transient role of parenting, and breaking through assumptions and prejudices few of us are willing to admit we hold deep down inside. Luttrell tackles each thread of her tale with exquisite command of language, gut-wrenching honesty, and self-deprecating humor that make us fall in love with and root for success and happiness for Daisy, Sharron and Keith.
A must-read for parents, dog lovers, and anyone else who wants to be a better human being. I look forward to Luttrell’s next book!
Luttrell’s conversational writing style and candor set a comfortable pace as she weaves together the complex emotions that accompany taking on the responsibility of training an animal to assist someone in need, accepting the fluctuating and transient role of parenting, and breaking through assumptions and prejudices few of us are willing to admit we hold deep down inside. Luttrell tackles each thread of her tale with exquisite command of language, gut-wrenching honesty, and self-deprecating humor that make us fall in love with and root for success and happiness for Daisy, Sharron and Keith.
A must-read for parents, dog lovers, and anyone else who wants to be a better human being. I look forward to Luttrell’s next book!
November 23, 2015
It was an interesting read if you've loved and lost a dog and wonder if you can love again. I haven't been able to be owned by another dog so Sharon Kahn Luttrell's moving tribute to her first dog starts the book with tears for me, it ends the same way though it's sadness tinged with happiness.
Luttrell decides to be a weekend "parent" to a service dog in training. She's paired with Daisy and also with Keith, Daisy's weekday "parent" who is also in prison serving a long sentence. Luttrell is candid about her starts and stutters in getting the dog up to the needed standards and worries she doesn't measure up to Keith's weekday efforts.
We see how Daisy impacts Luttrell's immediate family including a teen and preteen who get points for letting Mom profile them at their best and worst. Exposing Daisy to a world of experiences is funny and heartbreaking when she freaks out over loud noises. But through it all, Team Daisy perseveres on behalf of the person Daisy will eventually benefit.
Loose ends here and there, Luttrell is a newspaper reporter which made me wonder why she was so freaked out over the reason Keith is in prison. She's been exposed to that in the news business meaning I didn't get the big letdown feeling. Also, she makes a point several times in the book about talking about the trauma of her father leaving the family. Yet she thanks this same father in the acknowledgements, we never find out how they reestablished their bond.
Daisy's eventual destination and her person end the story well.
Luttrell decides to be a weekend "parent" to a service dog in training. She's paired with Daisy and also with Keith, Daisy's weekday "parent" who is also in prison serving a long sentence. Luttrell is candid about her starts and stutters in getting the dog up to the needed standards and worries she doesn't measure up to Keith's weekday efforts.
We see how Daisy impacts Luttrell's immediate family including a teen and preteen who get points for letting Mom profile them at their best and worst. Exposing Daisy to a world of experiences is funny and heartbreaking when she freaks out over loud noises. But through it all, Team Daisy perseveres on behalf of the person Daisy will eventually benefit.
Loose ends here and there, Luttrell is a newspaper reporter which made me wonder why she was so freaked out over the reason Keith is in prison. She's been exposed to that in the news business meaning I didn't get the big letdown feeling. Also, she makes a point several times in the book about talking about the trauma of her father leaving the family. Yet she thanks this same father in the acknowledgements, we never find out how they reestablished their bond.
Daisy's eventual destination and her person end the story well.
August 30, 2013
I received this advanced reader copy from a Goodreads giveaway. It is a book that I highly recommend to anyone who even vaguely thinks it sounds appealing.
I want to start by saying I am a cat lover. I am not a dog person so to have Daisy steal a piece of my heart surprised me. The book is so much more than about a dog and her weekend life with a volunteer trainer. The book is about how an animal, a dog in particular, can carry a person through difficult times. It is about love, acceptance, cooperation, forgiving, parenting, and becoming a better person.
I rarely cry when reading but this book packed so much love and emotion into it that I shed tears near the end. The dog and the people were so well developed that I could identify with each one.
Even if you don't generally think of animal books as your kind of book , I think you will like this book.
I want to start by saying I am a cat lover. I am not a dog person so to have Daisy steal a piece of my heart surprised me. The book is so much more than about a dog and her weekend life with a volunteer trainer. The book is about how an animal, a dog in particular, can carry a person through difficult times. It is about love, acceptance, cooperation, forgiving, parenting, and becoming a better person.
I rarely cry when reading but this book packed so much love and emotion into it that I shed tears near the end. The dog and the people were so well developed that I could identify with each one.
Even if you don't generally think of animal books as your kind of book , I think you will like this book.
April 14, 2014
Heartwarming, sure. Save time - read the blurb on the dust jacket and skip the inside.
October 8, 2013
Very well done! There are quite a few people out there who have written books about similar topics - trying to turn their memoirs and experiences with dogs into a book. Many fail. Luttrell hits the ball out of the park with this one. She makes this read like a novel and is not afraid to show her weaknesses as a parent and puppy raiser, which makes her even more likeable and relatable to her audience. She doesn't make excuses but rises to her responsibilities. As you are enjoying her story and experiences, you learn quite a bit about the prison puppy raising program. For those who love dogs and ever wanted to experience being a puppy raiser, Luttrell allows you to do this vicariously. Keep yourself open to her parenting and dog training insight as well. Loved the pictures in the book. I'll admit, I had tears in my eyes and a lump in the my throat at the end.
July 3, 2018
A great true story of a lovely pup and how he trains and how he lives with two different people so lovely to hear what is involved with the training and what you can't do with them. Also great to hear what happens once trained a great easy read.
Daisy is a lively puppy who spends his weekdays with someone in prison who trains him but at weekends he goes to Sharron's and she has to introduce the puppy to the family she's always loved having a dog but learning to give him back on a Sunday night gets harder and harder. Does the puppy make it with his training and help someone with a disability or not.
Daisy is a lively puppy who spends his weekdays with someone in prison who trains him but at weekends he goes to Sharron's and she has to introduce the puppy to the family she's always loved having a dog but learning to give him back on a Sunday night gets harder and harder. Does the puppy make it with his training and help someone with a disability or not.
May 28, 2013
What a great book...one for children and adults alike. You will fall in love with Daisy. This book taught me how to laugh at puppyhood then showed me how to adapt different situations into my life without me tuning the lessons out. A must read for one and all. No disappointments!
July 16, 2017
My new favorite dog book! This book is a must read for all dog lovers!
January 21, 2014
I’m starting to feel a twinge of dog longing. I find myself thinking wistfully about being on the human end of a leash while walking a dog. After a few rough puppy years and some dog training, our childhood dog, Heidi, grew into a lovely companion. My parents gave me the freedom to walk alone, well, as long as Heidi came too. I felt confident and independent on those walks. When I saw Weekends with Daisy, I thought maybe I’d feel better after a light dog book. I thought Sharron Kahn Luttrell had found a simple way to curb her dog longing and help her community. She had, in some ways, but I also found an unexpected depth in her memoir.
After Sharron Kahn Luttrell’s dog died, she developed a severe case of “Canine Deficit Disorder.” While I’m not quite there yet, I fully sympathize. Her obsession compelled her to approach a stranger in the grocery store to ask about his dog, mortifying her teenage daughter. He explained that the dog wearing a blue NEADS vest is in training to be a service dog. Shortly after her encounter, she decided to become a weekend puppy raiser hoping to soothe her canine longing. After discussing her idea with her husband, daughter, and son they agreed to try puppy training. She had no idea what co-parenting a puppy with an inmate would entail.
The Prison Pup Partnership (PUP) program matches responsible inmates with a puppy to train. The inmates spend every moment of the week teaching their dogs the skills they need to be a service dog. But, the dogs need to be confident moving in the world. So, weekend puppy raisers team up with an inmate and a puppy to enhance the dog’s education. The weekend trainers take the dogs with them as they do life. The dogs accompany them everywhere and learn how to navigate everything from dog doors to escalators. The teams train the puppy until its ready to take the service dog test and start its job.
The PUP program accepted Sharron’s application and trained her for her new role. After a rough first assignment, PUP paired her with Daisy. Sharron instantly loved Daisy, a 3 month old yellow Labrador retriever. Keith, Daisy’s inmate trainer, looked like a hard, dangerous man which contrasted starkly with the cute ball of fur at his side. Over months of hand-offs, Sharron and Keith develop a friendship. She witnesses a transformation not only in Daisy but also in Keith and herself. She starts to see how her teenage daughter’s body language communicates her feelings. This enables Sharron to reconnect with her daughter. Keith’s confidence and hope blossom under Daisy’s influence. Redemption runs deeply through Weekends with Daisy and permeates the story. Everyone, from the jailor to Sharron’s daughter, feels the effects of its restoring power.
Sharron’s compassion for Keith challenged me to empathize. Watching Keith choose to grow despite horrible circumstances inspired me to learn to do likewise. Daisy, like all animals, encouraged me to live in the moment, like they do. The dog longing that brought me to Weekends with Daisy remains. But, I’ve learned to be more content in myself through Sharron’s example. I came to this book expecting fluff and left with a life lesson learned
After Sharron Kahn Luttrell’s dog died, she developed a severe case of “Canine Deficit Disorder.” While I’m not quite there yet, I fully sympathize. Her obsession compelled her to approach a stranger in the grocery store to ask about his dog, mortifying her teenage daughter. He explained that the dog wearing a blue NEADS vest is in training to be a service dog. Shortly after her encounter, she decided to become a weekend puppy raiser hoping to soothe her canine longing. After discussing her idea with her husband, daughter, and son they agreed to try puppy training. She had no idea what co-parenting a puppy with an inmate would entail.
The Prison Pup Partnership (PUP) program matches responsible inmates with a puppy to train. The inmates spend every moment of the week teaching their dogs the skills they need to be a service dog. But, the dogs need to be confident moving in the world. So, weekend puppy raisers team up with an inmate and a puppy to enhance the dog’s education. The weekend trainers take the dogs with them as they do life. The dogs accompany them everywhere and learn how to navigate everything from dog doors to escalators. The teams train the puppy until its ready to take the service dog test and start its job.
The PUP program accepted Sharron’s application and trained her for her new role. After a rough first assignment, PUP paired her with Daisy. Sharron instantly loved Daisy, a 3 month old yellow Labrador retriever. Keith, Daisy’s inmate trainer, looked like a hard, dangerous man which contrasted starkly with the cute ball of fur at his side. Over months of hand-offs, Sharron and Keith develop a friendship. She witnesses a transformation not only in Daisy but also in Keith and herself. She starts to see how her teenage daughter’s body language communicates her feelings. This enables Sharron to reconnect with her daughter. Keith’s confidence and hope blossom under Daisy’s influence. Redemption runs deeply through Weekends with Daisy and permeates the story. Everyone, from the jailor to Sharron’s daughter, feels the effects of its restoring power.
Sharron’s compassion for Keith challenged me to empathize. Watching Keith choose to grow despite horrible circumstances inspired me to learn to do likewise. Daisy, like all animals, encouraged me to live in the moment, like they do. The dog longing that brought me to Weekends with Daisy remains. But, I’ve learned to be more content in myself through Sharron’s example. I came to this book expecting fluff and left with a life lesson learned
September 26, 2014
I found this book entertaining, educating, humorous, and at times, sad. But it is one of the few, recently, who, in my humble opinion, have been worthy of five stars.
I was one of those people who said the prisons were too luxurious to be punishment with their gym rooms, libraries, TVs etc. and so forth.
So wrong. When you think about it these prisoners have less freedom and a slave in the 1600s,1700s and 1800s. (Yes slavery existed in the United States for 245 years.) These prisoners are by all intent, are actually owned by the state. Their every move, every hour dictated with absolutely no sense of a normal life. Yes, the big difference is that slaves did nothing to deserve such treatment and these prisoners did. Still, no matter what they give these men in prison, prison is hell.
This book started out with
Sharon being a total
(Sorry) idiot about puppy training, but I was especially impressed with her commitment to train Daisy responsibly. A sure road to success in anything!
Consistency is certainly the key. It is the place where most people fail… With dogs and with children. Both appreciate and need to know rules.
Too-busy parents and those that want to be friends instead of parents end up with snappy, yappie dogs and bratty uncontrollable children. You must start at the beginning. What seems so cute when they're little becomes a big problem as they grow and mature. Don't be too lazy to get up and enforce your rules. Believe me, children and dogs suffer for your lack of consistency years to come.
A final, wishful note;
I wish Pittsburgh businesses were more friendly towards dogs. I can put my 11 pound Havanese in a doggy stroller, where she is completely enclosed by net and canvas, and am welcomed in many, many places that would otherwise direct me to the door. There are restaurants here with patios won't even your dog sit beneath your table! Ridiculous.
I think, especially if a dog's paws do not hit the floor, i.e. it in a stroller or you are carrying her, that all stores should welcome these shining canine ambassadors of goodwill. After all, stores want you to be in a good mood shopping and purchasing.
To anyone who is interested, please read my progress notes. That is where most of my review is.
June 16, 2014
What a wonderful surprise opened before my eyes while reading "Weekends with Daisy". Author Sharron Kahn Luttrell, an experienced news writer, wrote a very straight forward and entertaining book. After finding herself unemployed due to downsizing, Luttrell wanted to involve herself in the NEADS program. Families take potential service dogs that are being trained by inmates out on the weekends. They acclimate the puppies to a slew of other experiences that a prison can't provide. Still mourning the death of her beloved dog Tucker who died two years prior, she thought this program could be just what she needed to combat the symptoms of Canine Deficit Disorder! She embarked on a life changing path of spending her weekends training and falling in love w/Daisy. The experience lasted for over a year. It was a trail of stupendous highs and devastating lows in preparing Daisy with all the skills she would need before embarking on her more strenuous training. When Sharron found out what actions caused her partner to land in prison, she found herself vacillating between revulsion and forgiveness. Two people from very different experiences had come together to teach and love one puppy all the skills she would need to know. Daisy's love and special personality made her prison trainer more human and her weekend family grow to love her and each other more. Life is very special when shared with Daisy.
December 26, 2013
This is one of the best books that I've read in a while, to be honest. I was pleased with the lovely Daisy. There's a grouping of pictures in the middle of the book, so I paused to look at them when I came across them and was happy to see that Daisy had been matched with a little boy (their picture was included), but disappointed to have the ending ruined for me because at that point in the book, they were still wondering if Daisy was going to make it through the training.
It's one thing to say to lock a murderer or another inmate up forever and throw away the key, but it's another thing to have a name and a face to that story. Thinking of Keith still in jail for the crime that he committed so long ago really was scary. While obviously he needed to pay for what he had done, it is amazing to think that one decision had so many consequences. Fortunately for Keith, I believe that dogs like Daisy are a great outlet for people in his situation. With their need to pass the time doing something positive, I think training dogs for the disabled is an excellent way to help not only the inmates themselves, but the community around all of us.
I've always said that one day I wanted to train a service dog puppy, however, I will have to keep this in mind when I reach that point in my life. Being a weekend puppy raiser sounds hard as hell, but so fulfilling.
It's one thing to say to lock a murderer or another inmate up forever and throw away the key, but it's another thing to have a name and a face to that story. Thinking of Keith still in jail for the crime that he committed so long ago really was scary. While obviously he needed to pay for what he had done, it is amazing to think that one decision had so many consequences. Fortunately for Keith, I believe that dogs like Daisy are a great outlet for people in his situation. With their need to pass the time doing something positive, I think training dogs for the disabled is an excellent way to help not only the inmates themselves, but the community around all of us.
I've always said that one day I wanted to train a service dog puppy, however, I will have to keep this in mind when I reach that point in my life. Being a weekend puppy raiser sounds hard as hell, but so fulfilling.
July 6, 2014
Luttrell volunteers with an organization that matches inmates with puppies, testing and training them to become service dogs. The prisoners in this program work with their dogs five days a week, and in this case Luttrell takes her dog in training, Daisy, out into the world, exposing her to as many different everyday situations as possible in order to test if the dog will be a suitable guide dog.
On the surface I thought her account seemed like an interesting process to follow, and certainly worthy, but there was genuine depth as the story progressed and provoked more thought than I had anticipated in the beginning. The book touches on unexpected emotional aspects for Luttrell and Daisy’s inmate Keith in how personally invested the humans become in Daisy’s success.
The innocence and thorough acceptance of Daisy was an important lesson for the author and her family that she nicely articulated to her readers.
Dog lovers will enjoy Daisy’s story but the book has a wider appeal, acquainting readers to this prisoner reform program, the sacrifices and amazing gifts of volunteering, and the treasure and life-changing experience of needing and receiving a guide dog. 4-1/2 stars.
On the surface I thought her account seemed like an interesting process to follow, and certainly worthy, but there was genuine depth as the story progressed and provoked more thought than I had anticipated in the beginning. The book touches on unexpected emotional aspects for Luttrell and Daisy’s inmate Keith in how personally invested the humans become in Daisy’s success.
The innocence and thorough acceptance of Daisy was an important lesson for the author and her family that she nicely articulated to her readers.
Dog lovers will enjoy Daisy’s story but the book has a wider appeal, acquainting readers to this prisoner reform program, the sacrifices and amazing gifts of volunteering, and the treasure and life-changing experience of needing and receiving a guide dog. 4-1/2 stars.
October 28, 2019
I picked up this book because I’m fascinated by how other service dog organizations work. I’ve been a puppy raiser for the Seeing Eye for fifteen years and am evaluator for a therapy dog organization for two. I love seeing the bonds between humans and dogs, and I’m interested by other organizations’ practices. But. This is not that book. It’s just not written with any tone of authority. There’s not a lot of history, or explanation of the process. Perhaps minutia to those outside of the SD world, but to me this is the story I’d hear from any overprotective first time puppy raiser. I was hoping the author would draw on her history in nonfiction to delve into a report of her co-raisers background, and instead we got a chapter of the author “wrestling to forgive” Keith for his crimes. My lady. That is not your job. You are not there to forgive him. He never asked you to. He never did anything to you. Lay your judgement somewhere else.
Perhaps interesting enough if you nothing about puppy raising, but a bit of a disappointment to me.
Perhaps interesting enough if you nothing about puppy raising, but a bit of a disappointment to me.
September 27, 2013
A wonderful book, especially for dog lovers. In her memoir, Sharron Kahn Luttrell describes her and her family's experience as weekend puppy raisers in the NEADS program, a Massachusetts organization which trains service dogs. Daisy spent the weekends with the Luttrell family, but during the week she lived and was trained by a prisoner at J.J. Moran Medium Security Facility in Rhode Island. Luttrell relates the challenges of raising a dog, feeling comfortable in working with Keith, the convict, parenting teenagers, and overcoming her own fears and anxieties about her life. In the process of training Daisy to be a service dog, Luttrell and Keith learned to be more empathetic, caring, and patient from Daisy. In addition, I enjoyed the well-researched sections in this book which described the prison system, dog training, and the NEADS program. I highly recommend this memoir.
January 14, 2014
My daughter and I met Sharon Luttrell at a NEADs graduation ceremony where she spoke about her experiences as a weekend puppy raiser. Of course, my daughter wanted to sign up for weekend puppy raising immediately (okay, me too), and I bought Luttrell's book, thinking it would be a glimpse inside the happy days of puppy raising. What I found was so much more.
Luttrell writes about her experiences with Daisy, but each one is a stepping stone on a much bigger journey -- learning to let go of her growing children, her self-definition through work, her own fears. She writes about how Daisy made her more patient and kinder, and about how the process of training Daisy was also an education for the trainer and everyone around them.
This is a gorgeous book, with so much heart. I loved it. I don't know if we will eventually become puppy raisers, but I do know that I am glad I have this book.
Luttrell writes about her experiences with Daisy, but each one is a stepping stone on a much bigger journey -- learning to let go of her growing children, her self-definition through work, her own fears. She writes about how Daisy made her more patient and kinder, and about how the process of training Daisy was also an education for the trainer and everyone around them.
This is a gorgeous book, with so much heart. I loved it. I don't know if we will eventually become puppy raisers, but I do know that I am glad I have this book.
February 1, 2016
I received this book awhile ago (oops) for free from a Goodreads Giveaway.
I loved it. LOVED IT. It's an amazing story with an adorable puppy at the center - what is there not to like? I also loved the humanity of the people in this story. We get to see that prisoners are people, too, despite the fact that they're incarcerated and have made bad choices in the past. That's so important, I feel, because it can be so easy for us to lump all of those who are not like us into a single category of "they're not like us so they're not as good/smart/intelligent/etc as we are."
Definitely do recommend. :)
(Although I marked this as read in 2016, I actually finished it awhile back, but since I don't remember the exact date, this is good enough.)
I loved it. LOVED IT. It's an amazing story with an adorable puppy at the center - what is there not to like? I also loved the humanity of the people in this story. We get to see that prisoners are people, too, despite the fact that they're incarcerated and have made bad choices in the past. That's so important, I feel, because it can be so easy for us to lump all of those who are not like us into a single category of "they're not like us so they're not as good/smart/intelligent/etc as we are."
Definitely do recommend. :)
(Although I marked this as read in 2016, I actually finished it awhile back, but since I don't remember the exact date, this is good enough.)
August 19, 2013
I was fortunate to receive an advanced reader copy of this touching, honest and witty memoir.
As a mom of a 14-year-old, I identify with Luttrell's need to find additional meaning in life as her children are getting older and moving on with their own lives. Luttrell does this by working with National Education for Assistance Dog Services (NEADS). She becomes a weekend trainer for a dog being trained during the week with an inmate at a federal prison.
As Luttrell learns to train the dog, she learns about herself, her children and forms a bond with the inmate, Keith.
It is a lovely book and when it comes out on September 10th, I recommend you get a copy and enjoy.
As a mom of a 14-year-old, I identify with Luttrell's need to find additional meaning in life as her children are getting older and moving on with their own lives. Luttrell does this by working with National Education for Assistance Dog Services (NEADS). She becomes a weekend trainer for a dog being trained during the week with an inmate at a federal prison.
As Luttrell learns to train the dog, she learns about herself, her children and forms a bond with the inmate, Keith.
It is a lovely book and when it comes out on September 10th, I recommend you get a copy and enjoy.
October 8, 2013
This wasn't your average dog book. In most books that I've read, the dog is someone's pet, or companion. This is the story of a dog before she goes into service, and two of the people who raised and trained her. The revelation about Keith and what he had done to be in prison in the first place was one of the most emotional parts of the book.
I know what is like to find your soul animal, but to have to give them up? Argh, I can't even imagine it! But the choice has to be made to enrich someone's life, and ultimately, that is why Daisy was there with Sharron in the first place.
A really great book, and I absolutely loved it. Five stars, and highly recommended!
I know what is like to find your soul animal, but to have to give them up? Argh, I can't even imagine it! But the choice has to be made to enrich someone's life, and ultimately, that is why Daisy was there with Sharron in the first place.
A really great book, and I absolutely loved it. Five stars, and highly recommended!
March 8, 2016
Daisy is a service dog and this about her journey in becoming one for the National Education for Assistance Dog Services(NEADS). Keith is her human prison inmate handler who took trained her on the weekdays and the Author Sharron is her weekend trainer. Sharron is very open about her ups and down with the task of training a puppy for NEADS and dealing with the emotions of going to the prison for picking up and dropping off of Daisy. Very good book, highly recommend to non dog lovers and dog lovers.
June 6, 2023
Well, first, who could resist that jacket photo. I think Luttrell did a magnificent job going as deep as she did with what could've been a superficial, feel-good story. She could've dodged her own drama with her teenage daughter, but she went there. She could've resisted the urge to find out what crime Daisy's prison inmate/puppy raiser actually committed, but she admitted her inability to leave that alone and went to a place that anyone could understand: shock and horror. But she allowed Daisy's unconditional love to show her the way to accepting and encouraging and feeling for Keith. Daisy is not a catalyst for the author's emotional journey: she is a wiggling, demanding, adorable, naughty, irresistible, talented canine. This is up there with Caroline Knapp's Pack of Two and Willie Morris' My Dog Skip as dog stories with real heart.
September 15, 2025
I enjoyed reading about Daisy in particular and the NEADS program in general. I had never heard of weekend puppy raisers; I would have had a hard time giving up the dog after a year and I admire those who can do that to help others. It was interesting to read the author’s thoughts about the program, the inmate she partnered with and how she applied what she learned in her own life.
July 7, 2025
RTC - we will discuss this book in the Reading is Better with a Dog Book Club, starting August 1st. Be sure to join us! https://www.facebook.com/readingisbet...
September 3, 2016
I am loving this book. I have been involved with Occupaws this past year and although the book is about a different organization, NEADS, they are very much alike in their purpose- raising pups to be service dogs. Her impressions are spot on and easy for me to relate to with my involvement visiting and taking classes at the prison. Reading about her experience was also reassuring-I have felt inadequate, worried that I've really messed up a dog, when I make mistakes. Sharron Luttrell is a fine writer. I like her style. It's one of those books I find valuable in getting the word out about these extraordinary organizations... and hard to put down.
June 23, 2013
This is a very touching memoir. We get to see how being a service dog trainer impacted the author, her family and the prison inmate. Everyone learn’s life lessons from being with Daisy. I thought the year long process of training Daisy for her new life was very interesting. I liked how what the author learned from being a dog trainer translated into her personal life. Patience, interpreting behavior and goal setting are just a few examples.
This was a well written and thoughtful story.
This was a well written and thoughtful story.
September 15, 2014
Loved every page of this book. Daisy is an 8-week old retriever who is in training to be a service dog. During the week she is cared for and trained by an inmate, and on the weekends she is socialized by the author and her family. Lots of info about service dogs and their training; about relationships between dogs and their humans; and about relationships between humans. Very real and very touching.
August 4, 2014
This book covers the topic of raising and training a service dog on weekends, but it goes beyond that. Luttrell examines the dynamics of family, especially the relationship between a mother and her children and the difficult topic of crime, prisons, and redemption. This book was much more than I thought it would be.
August 14, 2014
This was a terrific book. I am not really a dog person but was captivated by the training required for service dogs and the concept of only positive reinforcement. Thank goodness for these people, like Sharron, who can love and train and yet ultimately give up these dogs so that they can help others.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews