The Importance of Being Shine

by Annarita Guarnieri

Mamma named me Shine not just because of my sunshine colored fur, but because the day she came to get me I was shining with excitement.

I was abandoned in a snowy ditch on Christmas Eve. Rescued by two firemen, I was taken to a shelter, where few dogs ever went home.

One day a lady came and took me away to be warm and fed and loved…

And there I lived all my days: just me and Mamma, a dog named Luna, an infamous rodent, a one winged pigeon and 59 cats.

This is my story…

268 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 24, 2013

About the author

Nata a Trieste nel 1955, diplomata al Liceo Classico e laureata in Giurisprudenza, dal 1979 lavora nell’editoria, prima come traduttrice e curatrice (La Frontiera Edizioni) poi come traduttrice ed editor per l’Editrice Nord e in seguito per l’Editrice Domino e per Inknbeans Press (in inglese). Attualmente traduce dall’italiano e dall’inglese, e scrive. Con Inknbeans ha pubblicato “Cats: Instructions for Use, or how to survive being owned by a cat” e “The Importance of Being Shine”, biografia del suo pastore belga, narrata dall’interessata in prima persona. Ha scritto alcuni racconti e sta lavorando a “The Golden Pendant”, un fantasy/horror liberamente ispirato alla leggenda della Dama Bianca di Duino. Intanto, continua a tradurre, per Fanucci, Delos Books, Elara e Urania. Divorziata, con due figlie ormai adulte e una splendida nipotina, vive sulle colline dell’Oltrepò pavese con i suoi 14 gatti e la gallina Cocò.

Reviews

[Liza Perrat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right from the first page of this endearing story, it is obvious the author, Annarita Guarnieri is a tireless animal lover.

She tells this story from the point of view of Shine, an abandoned Belgian Shepherd puppy. We follow Shine’s life from the terrible moment of her abandonment in a ditch, to her days in the shelter, and then to her wonderful new home with the author.

In an entertaining and easy-to-read style, we see how Shine adapts to her new home, her loving “mum” and her collection of cats and various other animals. We feel as if the author is entirely inside Shine’s head, as she so vividly evokes her fears, her needs, and her warm personality.

Shine was one of the lucky ones at the shelter. She ended up having a wonderful life, and no dog could have wished for a more caring owner.

This story is a special one of love, trust and friendship, and I would highly recommend it to animal-lovers, not only as humorous entertainment, but also as a lesson in taking responsibility for animals and their welfare.

[Ciclochick · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’ve read Cats: Instructions For Use or How To Survive Being Owned By A Cat, you’ll know that Annarita Guarnieri is a cat lover. Or rather, cat besotted might be more accurate! But, actually, she’s a lover of animals and, more pertinently, abandoned ones. Cue, Belgian Shepherd, a young abandoned puppy, Annarita rescued from a dog shelter, intending her to be a guard dog to her, her daughters, and her growing menagerie (of cats mainly). Little did Annarita know that Shine was a very special dog who gave her some very memorable years.

Annarita writes Shine’s memoirs as Shine herself: from the day she was unceremoniously dumped in a ditch, taken to a rescue centre, then ‘handpicked’ by her new loving owner…to her dotage, having become guardian of umpteen cats, another dog, a rabbit, a one-winged pigeon and a reptile or two. This is what makes Annarita such a special pet-owner: her understanding of and sensitivity to a dog’s needs and fears, and the world as a dog sees it, is second to none.

Shine’s story is beautifully and poignantly told: she certainly had many new experiences to share and learnt that it really wasn’t worth fighting with cats: it was way, way easier to respect them.

Shine couldn’t have found a better or more caring owner. What each gave, the other returned. This was one very special man’s best friend, and her story will delight not only dog-lovers everywhere, but anyone who understands the value of a very special friendship.

[Brenda Perlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Importance of Being Shine by Annarita Guarnieri put a smile on my face and gave me a tinge of sadness at the same time. I understand the love of an animal and the remorse when they are no longer with us. Can imagine the many emotions that writing this story sparked this author. You can feel the love that she had for Shine and yet she brought her back to life. Even giving her a human voice. How moved I was by her devotion and unconditional love. I am talking about the author though I am sure this dog gave it right back and then some.

This is a touching tale that had me laughing at times and at others really feeling the loss of this lovable pet. I adored the photos that were shared throughout this story.
Might consider going into it with a tissue. I cried many emotional tears while reading Shine's story.

Quote ~

"At night, I dream of the cozy home I had for such a little while, or of my Mamma and siblings, and I know I whimper in my sleep; I know it because more often than not one of my room-mates would be disturbed in his or her sleep and growl to me to make me stop it."

[J.R. Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told from the point of view of Shine the dog this book is so easy to read.
It really felt as if Annarita knew exactly what was happening in her pets mind. This is such a heartwarming tale, I really felt I got to know Shine, her temperament and some of the 60 odd cats and other animals Shine lived with.

For me it ticks all the boxes- animals, humour and good heart.