Based on harrowing true events, Caroline Rayfield’s THE ADVENTURES OF MILO CHOW tells the delightful story of a tiny special needs Chow puppy named Milo who’s in search of a good home after arriving in a Toronto animal shelter. An adorable pup with poofy black fur, a purple tongue, and a wayward gait, Milo is taken home by one of the rescue shelter’s workers and given all of the care, love, and spoiled attention he could ever need. Milo finds his own place in a big world, makes new friends, and learns to live and play alongside his newly adopted dog-siblings, Sully and Dominica. Life certainly is good for Milo Chow.
Each chapter of THE ADVENTURES OF MILO CHOW unfolds like a short story, the book laid out in little vignettes of Milo’s life after he’s taken home to his new family. He’s shy and uncertain at first, but it’s not long until he understands that this family—and their endless love and affection for him after a rough start—is his to keep. Milo has tons of personality for such a small dog, from his inquisitive nature, playfulness, and his frequent demands to be carried by his new mom when he gets tired or bored on their walks. His adventures introduce new experiences, like losing a favorite toy, playing—or chewing on!—with fallen leaves, meeting larger dogs in the neighborhood, getting drenched in the rain, and even Milo’s image inspiring those around him and showing off the good work the rescue shelter has done for this lucky little Chow.
While the real-life story of Milo detailed at the end of the book is bittersweet, his memory is kept alive in this vibrant, engaging story as a wonderful tribute to his brief yet impactful life. Written in simple, short prose that’s easy for early readers to grasp, the book also includes colorful illustrations of the adorable Milo (by and his lively adventures. It’s clearly written with heartfelt fondness to immortalize this special puppy, and allow others to remember him as the people who loved him did. It also provides a helpful lesson to young readers, to show them how important it is to nurture animals—and how animals rely on the care and love of their human companions, and the responsibility it entails.
A heartwarming tale of love, friendship, and overcoming the odds, Caroline Rayfield’s THE ADVENTURES OF MILO CHOW is a sweet and touching story that will stay with readers young and old.
~Jessica Thomas for IndieReader