Inspiring & Heartbreaking

Tina: The Dog Who Changed The World by Niall Harbison is an inspiring and heartbreaking read. I read the children’s version which is suitable for ages ten years and over. Whatever your age, if you are an animal lover, you will enjoy this book.

Niall Harbison is a Brit who lives in Thailand. Here, he has set up Happy Doggo Land which helps and rescues street dogs. He has done this for over twenty years. His mission has always been “to make a hands-on difference to dog’s lives.”

Happy Doggo Land is small, able to house just sixteen dogs but Niall Harbison has big plans to build a hospital just for street dogs. Niall Harbison’s inspiration and guide is rescue dog, Tina. “She was a beacon of hope, kindness and love.” And for dogs, Niall Harbison is also a beacon of hope, kindness and love.

Tina was rescued from the streets. She was bound by a chain. She was a poorly soul who instantly took up residence in Niall Harbison’s heart. In fact, for anyone reading her story, Tina will come and lodge in their heart. Though her life was short, her impact has been huge – and soon there will be a hospital named after her.

Niall Harbison is an inspiration. He rescues the street dogs and also believes that “educating kids about animal welfare is vital.”

The dogs that are rescued are given a bandana to wear. “These bandanas actually gave the street dogs a sense of belonging.” It is also “giving them an identity, as well as some love and affection.” It says: You are seen. You matter. You are loved. There is hope.

As well as rescuing dogs, over a thousand street dogs are fed daily, thousands have been neutered, and where appropriate, new homes have been fond world-wide. For some dogs, they actually like living on the streets and are therefore returned to the streets after they have been helped. It is here that they are happiest. They are then fed on the streets by volunteers for the rest of their lives.

I absolutely loved Tina: The Dog Who Changed The World. It’s an inspiring read about some of the dogs who have been rescued. It is heartbreaking at times. You will need tissues.

Tina is the drive for all that Niall Harbison does. “I do feel she is looking down on everything. I use her memory daily to push me on.”

I also loved the inclusion of photos of some of the dogs. This is a powerful read.

JULIA WILSON