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Endal: How one extraordinary dog brought a family back from the brink
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The remarkable story of Endal, voted ‘Dog of the Millennium’, and how, through his remarkable skills, companionship and unstinting devotion, he gave Allen Parton a reason to live again.
Allen Parton was seriously injured while serving in the Gulf War. He lost the use of both of his legs, plus all memories of his children and much of his marriage. He was left unable to walk,
...moreKindle Edition, 333 pages
Published
February 27th 2009
by HarperTrue
(first published 2009)
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Start your review of Endal: How one extraordinary dog brought a family back from the brink
A truly amazing story, this book completely blew me away. Have the tissues ready!
Allen was serving in the Gulf when he was involved in a car accident which left him suffering a serious brain injury. He couldn't remember anything about his life other than his naval career.
The first half of the book explores Allen and Sandra's life before and after the accident. It made for really intense reading. All that Allen wants to do is get better and get back to work, but his short term memory loss is so ...more
Allen was serving in the Gulf when he was involved in a car accident which left him suffering a serious brain injury. He couldn't remember anything about his life other than his naval career.
The first half of the book explores Allen and Sandra's life before and after the accident. It made for really intense reading. All that Allen wants to do is get better and get back to work, but his short term memory loss is so ...more
May 17, 2011
Brenda
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Everyone
Recommended to Brenda by:
Michael
Wow!! An amazing story, about a truly amazing labrador!
Allen Parton was serving in the Gulf when he was involved in an incident which left him suffering serious brain damage. He couldn't remember much about his life other than his time in the navy. He didn't know who the lady walking toward him in the hospital was, or the noisy children who were jumping all over him were! He had no feelings toward them, no emotions whatsoever!
The first half of the book explores Allen and Sandra's life before and ...more
Allen Parton was serving in the Gulf when he was involved in an incident which left him suffering serious brain damage. He couldn't remember much about his life other than his time in the navy. He didn't know who the lady walking toward him in the hospital was, or the noisy children who were jumping all over him were! He had no feelings toward them, no emotions whatsoever!
The first half of the book explores Allen and Sandra's life before and ...more
Just reading the blurb made me tear up. I absolutely love dogs, and I really really hope the dog doesn’t die in this book. 🐾 🐾
Dogs Are Amazing
At first I wasn't sure how much I would enjoy this book. I normally love a good mystery or crime scene book but I just kept reading. The more I read, the more I loved it. There is no greater love than the love of a dog companionship. You can't go wrong with this book and for that I give it a high five. ...more
At first I wasn't sure how much I would enjoy this book. I normally love a good mystery or crime scene book but I just kept reading. The more I read, the more I loved it. There is no greater love than the love of a dog companionship. You can't go wrong with this book and for that I give it a high five. ...more
This is the story of Allen and Sandra Parton in their personal hardship, loss and rebuilding of their lives from an injury Allen suffered while serving in the Royal Navy in the Gulf War that leaves him physcially impaired.
I initially thought judging by its cover that this would be a happpy go lucky sad story / happy story. I was completely wrong. Allen and Sandra's story is very much about life from its deepest trials and tribulations to accepting life has irreversably changed from what it used ...more
I initially thought judging by its cover that this would be a happpy go lucky sad story / happy story. I was completely wrong. Allen and Sandra's story is very much about life from its deepest trials and tribulations to accepting life has irreversably changed from what it used ...more
Another great example of the bond between animals and the people that need them most. Notice here I say people, because although it was Allen who had the terrible accident, it was the whole family that was brought together by Endal. I enjoyed reading first Allen's, and then his wife's perspective on events. He truly was disconnected from so many emotions we take for granted. Such a small thing, to be able to feel happiness, to be able to love someone else. The realization he came to when looking
...more
The story is about a man with a war related head injury being saved from a pit of despair by a service dog. There are many moving moments that brought me chills or tears. Having said that--I don't normally read memoirs--I found much to skip over as I searched the pages for the story. I found the personal narrative redundant.
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What a book. I think I went through every emotion going.Heartbreaking in parts but uplifting in others.what a very strong lady Sandra Parton is. This is not just a doggie story much more than that. Recommended.
Proves yet again how important pets/animals can be in the healing process. Quite enjoyed this book.
True story. Good to know! Endearing at times
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If you purchase this book wanting to read solely about the dog, then you will be disappointed. If, however, you purchase the book with the understanding this is about a Navy soldier who was injured in a tragic accident which left him without a memory and with other disabilities, then you will enjoy it. This is also a story about the perseverance of Allan's wife, Sandra, through the most difficult of circumstances. How she endured through Allan's mood swings, memory loss, anger and lack of compas
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GOD'S DEVINE PLAN " ENDAL & ALLEN "
This is such an Amazing and Inspiring book that I cannot picture anyone reading this without feeling the Healing Power and Unconditionall Love of GOD uniting these two souls together.
This powerful book of such an extraordinary family and all they went through with Allen's Critical and Disabling accident while on Naval Duty. The hardship, fear anger and Sandra coping all on her own to a husband who doesn't remember her or the children and who is being resentful ...more
This is such an Amazing and Inspiring book that I cannot picture anyone reading this without feeling the Healing Power and Unconditionall Love of GOD uniting these two souls together.
This powerful book of such an extraordinary family and all they went through with Allen's Critical and Disabling accident while on Naval Duty. The hardship, fear anger and Sandra coping all on her own to a husband who doesn't remember her or the children and who is being resentful ...more
Being a dog lover and in particular a yellow lab owner I just know how a dog like Endal could change a person.'s
life. At the beginning of the book I kept waiting for Endal to come into the picture. It seemed to be too long a time. It made sense to fully understand the severity of the injury before getting to the transformation which involved Kendal was an amazing dog. Sometimes I couldn't believe the incidents. I worked with my lab as a therapy dog and experienced how people were drawn to him an ...more
life. At the beginning of the book I kept waiting for Endal to come into the picture. It seemed to be too long a time. It made sense to fully understand the severity of the injury before getting to the transformation which involved Kendal was an amazing dog. Sometimes I couldn't believe the incidents. I worked with my lab as a therapy dog and experienced how people were drawn to him an ...more
Sweet memories...
Such a lovely story of a service dog who meant so much to so many people.
Medal is a yellow lab. His human, Allen unfortunately suffered in a car accident while serving in the a British Navy. Sandra is his long time wife with a spirit of fortitude most women could not handle .
This book shows a relationship on the brink off destruction. Allen can't remember anything, not even his dif & children,whereas Sandra remembers it all .
Enter Endal. A service dog trained to protect & assist ...more
Such a lovely story of a service dog who meant so much to so many people.
Medal is a yellow lab. His human, Allen unfortunately suffered in a car accident while serving in the a British Navy. Sandra is his long time wife with a spirit of fortitude most women could not handle .
This book shows a relationship on the brink off destruction. Allen can't remember anything, not even his dif & children,whereas Sandra remembers it all .
Enter Endal. A service dog trained to protect & assist ...more
Endal was an amazing dog who did all the things requested by his partner- and then some. He was creative in taking care of his human. He brought his human, Allen, out of deep depression and anger following a head injury while he was in the British Navy. There is so much love, emotional strength and caring given by Allen's family and by his wife following his accident. His wife became a formidable force in getting money and rights available for her husband and family following the accident. Dog t
...more
Sad but inspiring story!
Sad because of the injuries suffered and the cataclysmic changes for not only Allen but his whole family, Sandra, Liam and Zoe. Changes that were so significant that it's a miracle the family survived them. However, it's inspiring due to a fabulous dog named Endal and the work Sandra and Allen performed with the organization that placed him with Allen. A well written story as seen through the eyes of the couple who lived through it and now have a happy future together tha ...more
Sad because of the injuries suffered and the cataclysmic changes for not only Allen but his whole family, Sandra, Liam and Zoe. Changes that were so significant that it's a miracle the family survived them. However, it's inspiring due to a fabulous dog named Endal and the work Sandra and Allen performed with the organization that placed him with Allen. A well written story as seen through the eyes of the couple who lived through it and now have a happy future together tha ...more
Extraordinary Story of Courage and Commitment
Being a true dog lover, I was very interested in reading “Endal.” The first half of the book goes into great detail about the struggles that Allen and Sandra have when he suffers a severe brain injury while overseas in the British Navy. It totally changes in the second half when the yellow lab service dog, Endal enters the picture. This true story told alternately from both couples point of view will inspire hope and comfort to the reader. I laughed ...more
Being a true dog lover, I was very interested in reading “Endal.” The first half of the book goes into great detail about the struggles that Allen and Sandra have when he suffers a severe brain injury while overseas in the British Navy. It totally changes in the second half when the yellow lab service dog, Endal enters the picture. This true story told alternately from both couples point of view will inspire hope and comfort to the reader. I laughed ...more
This is truly a wonderful book.
I hated putting this book down at night. If I had had my way I would have stayed up until I finished it. Sandra's strength and commitment to her husband were inspiring. What can you say about Endal that would be adequate? What a special dog! Thank you, Allen, for sharing your story with us. ...more
I hated putting this book down at night. If I had had my way I would have stayed up until I finished it. Sandra's strength and commitment to her husband were inspiring. What can you say about Endal that would be adequate? What a special dog! Thank you, Allen, for sharing your story with us. ...more
A hard to read, inspiring story!
When I read the synopsis of this story, I had to get it. I ha e heard how important service dogs can be, and I got to experience through Allen's story just how incredible the emotional as well as physical support that dog can be. I enjoyed the process of Allen and Endal becoming a team. ...more
When I read the synopsis of this story, I had to get it. I ha e heard how important service dogs can be, and I got to experience through Allen's story just how incredible the emotional as well as physical support that dog can be. I enjoyed the process of Allen and Endal becoming a team. ...more
The abnormal family
Woman and her husband are both confined to a wheelchair. The husband sustained very serious injuries including a brain injury. He has no memory of his life before his injury. He has no memory of his wedding or his 2 children. A therapy dog blossoms but he was never able to recover totally but was able to regain some functions. EXCELLENT BOOK
Woman and her husband are both confined to a wheelchair. The husband sustained very serious injuries including a brain injury. He has no memory of his life before his injury. He has no memory of his wedding or his 2 children. A therapy dog blossoms but he was never able to recover totally but was able to regain some functions. EXCELLENT BOOK
Totally Awesome and Memorable
Endal is not only a special dog, but this book about him is equally special. The reader is drawn into the book by how the events are explained, but also by the way emotions influence interactions. I think this book can be enjoyed and enrich the lives of all readers, not just those who love dogs or those injured while serving their country.
Endal is not only a special dog, but this book about him is equally special. The reader is drawn into the book by how the events are explained, but also by the way emotions influence interactions. I think this book can be enjoyed and enrich the lives of all readers, not just those who love dogs or those injured while serving their country.
Unconditional love
It amazes me all that Allen & Sandra went thru after he returned from the Gulf. I am confident most wives would not have stuck around. A dog's unconditional love and devotion never ceases to amaze me. Most days I like my dogs over humans. Kuddos to Endal and his love and devotion. ...more
It amazes me all that Allen & Sandra went thru after he returned from the Gulf. I am confident most wives would not have stuck around. A dog's unconditional love and devotion never ceases to amaze me. Most days I like my dogs over humans. Kuddos to Endal and his love and devotion. ...more
Honest, helpful, and remarkable
As my disabled veteran partner is now training her second service dog, 7 month old Jake, this was deeply inspiring. We know he won’t be the same as Drummer, just as EJ isn’t Endal, but we are hopeful. Thank you both for sharing your journey. It resonates!!
As my disabled veteran partner is now training her second service dog, 7 month old Jake, this was deeply inspiring. We know he won’t be the same as Drummer, just as EJ isn’t Endal, but we are hopeful. Thank you both for sharing your journey. It resonates!!
Dog lovers’ delight
Engrossing book detailing an English family, the husband’s injuries while serving in the Royal Navy, the wife’s tenacity in holding their marriage together through exceptionally hard times and the amazing yellow Labrador who saved them all with his intelligence, dedication and devotion to duty.
Engrossing book detailing an English family, the husband’s injuries while serving in the Royal Navy, the wife’s tenacity in holding their marriage together through exceptionally hard times and the amazing yellow Labrador who saved them all with his intelligence, dedication and devotion to duty.
Every dog lover should read the remarkable story of Endal. I have always been aware of a dogs devotion to his owner, this dog is incredible! Endal will capture your heart with his antics and abilities. Allen was able to change his life because of Endal. This is a must read, but have the tissues near!
It was just ok. Felt like a bit of false advertising since the first half of the book doesn't even mention a dog at all. It's amazing to see how it Endal touched Allen's life and how smart dogs actually are and can pick up on little things like social cues or how you are feeling that day. Story was just ok otherwise.
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An amazing and very powerful story of how our canine friends can improve the lives of people with disabilities. It's incredible to witness the change in a person's mental well being with the help of assistance dogs. This book showcases that fact well. Don't forget the tissue box when reading this one.
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I read this book while we were travelling in Japan. During our trips on the Shinkansen I read the story about Endal. This dog changed the life of a family ... in a good way :-D If you love dogs and books than this is a book you must read.
Extraordinary dog
What I found truly amazing was that Allen Parton improved physically after Endal came into his life. I want surprised that he got better emotionally, but it's incredible that his speech and some other physical problems improved. ...more
What I found truly amazing was that Allen Parton improved physically after Endal came into his life. I want surprised that he got better emotionally, but it's incredible that his speech and some other physical problems improved. ...more
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“When we were invited to visit a home for autistic children, I knew they would enjoy meeting him. It can be difficult for people with autism to relate to human beings because they aren’t able to read the social signals that most of us take for granted, but with Endal none of that matters. He doesn’t put any stock in social rules.”
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