The chapters bounce back and forth between the service dog puppy-raiser's experience with Napal and Jason, the wounded soldier who was on a covert mission in Ecuador when his jeep overturned and ran over him. Years later and confined to a wheelchair, the dog he's matched with not only can assist him, but encourage and love him, forcing him on a path forward. Very good read ( )

It's the beautiful story of a Wounded Warrior and his service dog but it also tell the backstory of the man that raised the dog from a puppy. Jason Morgan reveals a great deal of himself and the unimaginable that he went through to get his life back where he is today. It was, for him, an emotional roller coaster. Then this beautiful black lab came into his life and his world again turned upside down...but this time in a good way. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll thank God for your two good legs, and you will fall in love with Napal. I guarantee that you will absolutely never look at a person in a wheelchair the same way again. ( )

A Dog Called Hope:A Wounded Warrior and the Service Dog Who Saved Him is the story of Jason Morgan. and his service dog Napal.

Morgan was a Combat Meteorologist with a Special Forces unit when a covert mission went awry and he suffered catastrophic injuries. Morgan was declared a paraplegic. Fighting unbelievable pain both physically and mentally, Morgan seized upon a ray of hope - Canine Companions for Independence. CCI provides service dogs free of charge to those in need.

A Dog Called Hope is Morgan's life story after that horrific accident - and the dog named Napal, who changed Jason's life.

Although we know accidents happen like this all the time, it is hard to listen to someone's personal story - the pain, the anguish and the grief. But I knew that Morgan had an important and uplifting message to impart. As a dog lover, I was already invested in this story simply from looking at the warm, wonderful and somehow wise face of Napal on the cover of the book. The journey through his accident, to CCI and Napal and afterwards is fascinating, uplifting and yes tear-jerking. (You're going to need a tissue for a few chapters) Morgan has made it his life's work now to spread the word about CCI and the service dogs they train. He now spreads that word as a motivational speaker.

I chose to listen to Morgan's story - the reader was John Moraitis. His voice fit the story of this soldier. He has a matter of fact, get on with life tone that suits this soldier's story. His enunciation is crisp, clean and easy to listen to and understand. I often find that listening to a book is much more intimate than reading - the listener becomes part of the story. And what a story this was!

Damien Lewis is an author who worked with Morgan on this book - and indeed plays a part in Napal's story.

While I found the writing slightly overly dramatic in spots, how can you give anyone's life story anything but a five? ( )

STORY-LINE A DOG CALLED HOPE B JASON MORGAN WITH DAMIEN LEWIS:

In A Dog Called Hope, authored by Jason Morgan with Damien Lewis, the reader will find an emotional charged true life story of Air Force wounded warrior, Jason Morgan. Jason served with honor in the famous Night Stalkers until the night it all went wrong in the Amazon jungle.

The following years filled with pain, surgeries, depression, and many set backs, begin to define Jason's existence. Jason's life went from the highest highs to the lowest lows after his injury. A chance meeting puts Jason in touch with CCI, which provides companion and service dogs to veterans and others. Confined to a wheelchair, racked with pain and depression, Jason will meet his fate when he receives Napal, his CCI service dog.

Napal, an extraordinaire dog, brings Jason back from the edge and helps heal a family, as well as, bringing the plight of wounded warriors to national attention. Able to reach the soul of Jason, these two communicate on a level as no other. My review for memoir novel, A Dog Called Hope, follows.

CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, DEVELOPMENT:

First, I must tell the reader, this is a 2 Kleenex box novel. Character driven and emotionally charged from the first pages, the reader's sucked into a world of endless pain as Jason holds on to hope by his finger nails. If you can read the story of this magnificent dedicated warrior brought low without tears in your eyes, nothing will ever make you cry. Secondly, Morgan and Lewis captured the devastation of a severely wounded body, the raw emotions, and the affect on the family unit.

Telling the story from the view-point of veteran Jason, and Jim who raised Napal, gave the reader a look into the mechanics of how the service dog foundations operate. As well as, how closely knit the people are with each other and their charges. I did not realize the time, effort, or countless hours which go into raising each service dog at a final cost of $50,000.00. Nor did I realize how many of our wounded and others need these dogs in their lives, forming bonds which turn lives around.

Finally in concluding my review of memoir, A Dog Called Hope, I found a well-developed story-line with realistic characters which will tear your heart out. I found the depth of love, devotion, and companionship, Napal imparts to Jason magical. As result, Jason discovers his reason for surviving and a purpose driven life. This book will cause the reader to think and ponder our warriors. They deserve the best our country can provide. Whether they are physically or mentally wounded each one should received the best this country can give. I live within miles of Camp Lejeune Marine Corp base and feel strongly about our service men and women. Although, Jason's an Air Force Veteran, I would say, Semper fi my friend, Semper fi.


A DOG CALLED HOPE RECOMMENDATION: STARS 5

Furthermore, this story-line alone is deserving of 5 stars. Combine the well-developed plot and characters, you have a 5 star emotional character driven novel highlighting the service dog and his companion.

FINALLY, PLEASE NOTE:

Additionally, I received this book from Netgalley and chose to voluntarily review the book with an honest memoir novel review. Lastly, book reviews of any novel are dependent on the book review author’s opinion. Consequently, all book reviews on-line and on my blog, are my opinions. In addition, no one influenced my voluntary memoir review. ( )