Review: Blind Hope: An Unwanted Dog and the Woman She Rescued

Blind Hope by Kim Meeder

I chose this book to read for Blogging for Books as my first free book to review.  Knowing it was a true story, I procrastinated for a long time because I just didn’t want to read a tear jerker.  After coming to the realization that I have always instilled in my children that they must meet all their commitments and live up to their promises, I picked up the book.  To be given a book for free in exchange for a review is the same as a handshake agreement and I needed to live up to my commitment.  That being said, I am so glad I finally pushed through my hesitations and really sat down and read the book.
Blind Hope was not what I expected, and I am so glad I read it.  Did I cry?  Yes I did, but not as much as I thought I would.  I found my heart breaking right along with Laurie as she went through the many changes in her dog Mia after the dog was diagnosed with diabetes.  I don’t know if I would have had the patience or ability to care for an animal that was both blind and diabetic with the grace that Laurie showed.  That being said and under the impression that Kim Meeder the author was probably trying to provide Laurie with some privacy while writing a book for the world to read I found myself wanting more details.  I wanted to know the reason that Laurie felt so bad about herself.  I wanted more details.  Having never had the privilege of caring for a high needs animal I found that while I empathized with Laurie, I had no experience to make a connection.  Not having that connection I wanted more of a connection with Laurie than I got.  I also did not make a connection with the author as she was telling the story in a somewhat detached manner.
So having no emotional connection to either the author or Laurie at the beginning of the book, I had to make a connection with the words she wrote.  It didn’t take long.  Once I figured out how she was telling the story, it was much easier to make a connection.  The detailed descriptions of the ranch and the horse rides took me there, and made me want to go see her lovely ranch in person.
However, I am forgetting one of the main characters in the story, Mia.  While she never said a word, her story is one that anyone can listen too if they listen hard enough.  She teaches unending, unconditional love.  She teaches that even with adversity one must live each day with over flowing joy.  She teaches that no matter what the outside looks like, the inside where the heart and soul are, those are the places to look for the true nature of a person.
The question I am struggling with is: If I were given the chance to come face to face with a dog like Mia and care for her, would I?  I think the answer would have to be a resounding Yes, it would be an honor.