John and George: The Dog Who Saved My Life

Formerly homeless artist Dolan begins his memoir about a man and his dog with the story of how he was introduced to George, a young Staffordshire bull terrier who had been abused and neglected. George sparks Dolan’s memories of his abusive childhood, drug addiction, petty theft, and time spent in prison. The only thing that kept a young Dolan sane was his love of (and natural talent for) drawing, which fell by the wayside as he turned to a life of crime. George and Dolan quickly became inseparable. Thanks to the unconditional love of his canine friend, Dolan’s life takes a bright turn, opening up opportunities he’d never imagined: Dolan rekindles his love of art and drawing, and eventually gets a solo show at a gallery. The two continue to spend their days side by side on the sidewalks of Shoreditch High Street in London. Dolan sketches while George solicits money and poses for photos with passersby. Animal lovers, especially dog owners, will appreciate the relationship Dolan and George share and the way Dolan identifies with the stray dog, gradually finding the comfort, inspiration, and happiness that had evaded him for so long. Illus. [em](June) [/em]