gilda_elise

In a remote outpost of Now Zad, in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan, Pen Farthing and his troop of young Royal Marines survive frequent engagements with the Taliban and forge links with the local community. Pen's tour of duty will change his life forever, but for entirely unexpected reasons ...

Appalled by the horrors of a local dog fight, he intervenes to free the victims. One of these dogs finds his way into the Marine compound - and into Pen's heart. Soon other strays are being drawn to the sanctuary provided by Pen's makeshift pound, including one young mum who crawls under the compound fence carrying her newborn pups to safety.

But as his tour of duty draws to an end, Pen cannot leave the dogs of Now Zad to their own fates. he begins hatching plans to help them escape to a better life.

This is Pen's gripping account of his time in Now Zad, the friends he made there and the remarkable journey they - and he - undertook. Above all, it is the story of one man's courage and humanity and his fight to make a difference in the most hostile and dangerous environment - one dog at a time.

I’ve read books before where a soldier fights to bring home a dog he adopted in Afghanistan, but never before have I read where a soldier decides to help as many stray dogs as he can. But here, you’re introduced to a soldier who decides to do just that.

It’s an uplifting tale, though not all stories end happily. it’s still a pleasure to be introduced to the many dogs whose lives Penn makes better. Obviously, the entire book can’t be about the dogs. Penn is a soldier, after all. But through it all, his compassion and concern for his charges come through.

Not a lot of good came from this war, but it’s nice to know that something did. For these animals, Farthing is a hero. For me, too.