Haatchi & Little B (Wendy Holden)

The Inspiring True Story of One Boy and His Dog

EN The beginning of this book left me completely blown away. The writer begins this story by telling how Haatchi, an Anatolian shepherd dog, with only six months old, was found stuck to the rails of a train, with a bruise on his head and injuries that forced him to have an amputation of a leg and tail. Clearly, it was a cruel act of human nature against the poor animal. Still, we realize throughout this biography that Haatchi has always been gentle with all those who crossed his path, touching them in a very special way.

Owen, better known as Little B by his family, is a boy diagnosed with a very rare degenerative disease that, very basically, causes his muscles not to relax normally, limiting his movements and causing other damages. These limitations were also the cause of the development of respiratory and bone problems, which forced him to a more difficult adaptation as a child. The parents of Little B were always very present, although they separated after the birth of their son. Regardless they tried to help him in this different reality that haunted him. It must not have been easy the lack of concrete answers to their child's problems, or to know how to relieve his pain and anxieties.

But Haatchi came to bring a certain light at the end of the tunnel. It was through Little B's stepmother that this Anatolian shepherd came into his life. It was very beautiful to see the development of the relationship of the two and the positive influence they had on each other. It was the love and companionship they developed that gave them the motivation to always fight for improvement, and together, overcome difficult surgeries and all the barriers that their diseases were imposing. They are two great examples of strength, resilience, and persistence.

The choice of this book for analysis was motivated by the death of one of the protagonists of this story: Haatchi. Haatchi passed away in March of 2021, nine years after joining Little B's family.

The book is small and has photographs included, which allows us to follow some of their plays and deeds. Also, it brings a good message of overcoming battles and strength. We all should know that it takes a lot of courage to face situations like these, and sometimes the solution that seems easier to us is to simply give up. But both Haatchi and Little B, despite all the adversities presented, never did.

⭐⭐⭐⭐