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Ranger's First Call: More Short Stories & Memories of German Shepherds
Of the first volume of Andrew Seddon's German Shepherd stories, Bonds of Affection, reviewers Here is a second collection of inspiring, entertaining, and heart-tugging stories about “man's best friend” in the form of German Shepherds. These twelve stories—some realistic, others mysterious, fantastical, or even supernatural—illustrate the many ways that dogs and humans befriend, support, and collaborate with each other, to enrich the lives of both. The author hopes that these tales, interspersed with memories of some of his own real-life German Shepherd companions, will not only entertain you but make you wish for a loyal, four-legged companion of your own. If so, why not visit a local dog rescue facility? Hopefully, waiting there is a friend eager to share your life adventures.
237 pages, Paperback
Published August 8, 2023
About the author
Andrew M. Seddon
32 books25 followersI was born in England, but have lived most of my life in the US... upstate NY, Maryland, West Virginia, and for the past 30 years, Montana. I am semi-retired, and my wonderful wife Olivia (a veterinarian) and I divide our time between Montana and Florida. Our dogs - Rex ,my German Shepherd, and Bakhita, Olivia's Chiweenie - love both places as well.
I began writing in 1990, both fiction and non-fiction. My genres are science fiction, historical fiction, and supernatural fiction (I don't like the term horror, but that's what Goodreads had me choose). I like mixing genres.
When not writing, my wife and I can be found running marathons, hiking, or travelling.
I began writing in 1990, both fiction and non-fiction. My genres are science fiction, historical fiction, and supernatural fiction (I don't like the term horror, but that's what Goodreads had me choose). I like mixing genres.
When not writing, my wife and I can be found running marathons, hiking, or travelling.
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March 16, 2024
This collection is another rewarding read from prolific independent author Andrew M. Seddon, whom I've had the honor of counting as a friend for some 20 years. It's actually a sort of sequel to his Bonds of Affection: Short Stories and Memories of German Shepherds (2019), and like the earlier collection contains both short stories and nonfiction "memories" of German Shepherd dogs who have been part of his and/or his veterinarian wife, Olivia's lives. (He had written too much material to include in the original book, and had notes for other stories he wanted to write as well; hence this companion volume.) The general comments in my review of the first book would apply to this one as well. Again, the fictional selections include both descriptive and speculative works (in at least one case, the dividing line is ambiguous, and it's sometimes uncertain whether the speculative element in those stories that have one is supernatural or science fictional). All profits from the sale of this collection, as with the first one, "go to benefit German Shepherd rescues and K9 support organizations."
In all, there are 13 short stories here, of which seven were previously published in literary magazines or earlier collections of Andrew's tales. All of the latter were revised for publication here, however; and although I've beta read several stories here years ago (and Andrew kindly mentioned me in his acknowledgments for that, though my role was slight!) I read the entire collection on this go-around so that my reactions would be as fresh as possible. The German Shepherds who figure in the stories appear in various roles, including search-and-rescue dogs, as in the title story, "Ranger's First Call;" seeing-eye guides for the blind, as in the most thought-provoking story here, "The Sun on the Liffey;" as nonconsensual experimental subjects, for instance in "Experimental Subjects" (featuring Andrew's space-faring vet character, Doc Hughes); or just plain companions to their humans. Some of them play major roles in the plots of their stories, others are just supporting characters. ("The Darkness at the Edge of the World" features story-cycle characters Howard Sheffield and his dog Baltasar, but those stories have yet to be published together in their own book.) Story settings vary, from the historical fiction of "The Easter Shepherd," unfolding in the hellish milieu of World War I trench warfare, to contemporary locales as widely separated as Oregon and Ukraine, all the way to outer space in the far future. But they all have in common Andrew's skillful story-telling, thoughtful craftsmanship, and strongly moral literary vision; and they all exude his affection for dogs in general and German shepherds in particular.
That affection, as well as understanding and concern, comes across as well in the four memories sections, which pay tribute primarily to six dogs not mentioned in the first book, some of whom had happy lives and some of whom did not. But even in the case of the first group, the memories may ultimately have a poignant and bittersweet quality, because sadly our canine companions' natural life spans aren't as long as ours. There are also two short poems, one by Andrew and one by his sister Judith, which are both moving elegies to canine friends that have passed away. The short Preface was nominally written by Andrew's German Shepherd Rex (who has since also passed --this was published in 2022), though I have reason to suspect he had some help from his human. :-) It encourages adoption of shelter dogs who need loving homes. Andrew's four-page Introduction is also well worth reading, for a simple and straightforward testimony to the unique qualities of dogs (who are, as he explains, neither things to be used nor four-legged, furry humans, but special and distinct creatures in their own right), and to the rewarding friendship that they can bring into the lives of human individuals and families if we open our hearts to them.
This book will particularly appeal to all readers who have a special affection for dogs and who also like tasteful, well-written short fiction; but you can greatly appreciate it even if you aren't in that first group. But even folks who aren't ardent dog enthusiasts may come away from these pages with a new understanding and appreciation for these friendly and intelligent creatures!
Note: My copy of the book was a kind gift from the author, but he didn't solicit a review; I read it because I wanted to, and am glad to share my honest opinion!
In all, there are 13 short stories here, of which seven were previously published in literary magazines or earlier collections of Andrew's tales. All of the latter were revised for publication here, however; and although I've beta read several stories here years ago (and Andrew kindly mentioned me in his acknowledgments for that, though my role was slight!) I read the entire collection on this go-around so that my reactions would be as fresh as possible. The German Shepherds who figure in the stories appear in various roles, including search-and-rescue dogs, as in the title story, "Ranger's First Call;" seeing-eye guides for the blind, as in the most thought-provoking story here, "The Sun on the Liffey;" as nonconsensual experimental subjects, for instance in "Experimental Subjects" (featuring Andrew's space-faring vet character, Doc Hughes); or just plain companions to their humans. Some of them play major roles in the plots of their stories, others are just supporting characters. ("The Darkness at the Edge of the World" features story-cycle characters Howard Sheffield and his dog Baltasar, but those stories have yet to be published together in their own book.) Story settings vary, from the historical fiction of "The Easter Shepherd," unfolding in the hellish milieu of World War I trench warfare, to contemporary locales as widely separated as Oregon and Ukraine, all the way to outer space in the far future. But they all have in common Andrew's skillful story-telling, thoughtful craftsmanship, and strongly moral literary vision; and they all exude his affection for dogs in general and German shepherds in particular.
That affection, as well as understanding and concern, comes across as well in the four memories sections, which pay tribute primarily to six dogs not mentioned in the first book, some of whom had happy lives and some of whom did not. But even in the case of the first group, the memories may ultimately have a poignant and bittersweet quality, because sadly our canine companions' natural life spans aren't as long as ours. There are also two short poems, one by Andrew and one by his sister Judith, which are both moving elegies to canine friends that have passed away. The short Preface was nominally written by Andrew's German Shepherd Rex (who has since also passed --this was published in 2022), though I have reason to suspect he had some help from his human. :-) It encourages adoption of shelter dogs who need loving homes. Andrew's four-page Introduction is also well worth reading, for a simple and straightforward testimony to the unique qualities of dogs (who are, as he explains, neither things to be used nor four-legged, furry humans, but special and distinct creatures in their own right), and to the rewarding friendship that they can bring into the lives of human individuals and families if we open our hearts to them.
This book will particularly appeal to all readers who have a special affection for dogs and who also like tasteful, well-written short fiction; but you can greatly appreciate it even if you aren't in that first group. But even folks who aren't ardent dog enthusiasts may come away from these pages with a new understanding and appreciation for these friendly and intelligent creatures!
Note: My copy of the book was a kind gift from the author, but he didn't solicit a review; I read it because I wanted to, and am glad to share my honest opinion!
Displaying 1 of 1 review