Delightful, informative, and thoroughly engaging. While I won't go into the details, so much better to let you experience Ivar's adventures yourself, I will say that it nicely combines my love of all things dog and a bit of sightseeing of a place I've always found fascinating. I've never visited Mackinac Island, so it was fun to see it through the eyes of a faithful working dog for the first time. We're reminded that service dogs are always on duty, even when they're out of vest, so to speak, simply because that is how they're wired and trained. Ivar instinctively monitors his Mama Mindy's heart rate and breathing to know if a panic attack is near and goes into action. Their trip to Mackinac Island to visit family is full of potential problems, from the noise, lights, and crowds at the airport to passing through the x-ray machine and sensing hoards of stressed humans about him, all while picking up not just the sudden rise and fall of the plane/pressure but even the many scents left behind, not all human. Ivar handles it all with some nervousness but skill.
The adventure, as noted, is told through Ivar's eyes. Unknown places are tough for Mindy to navigate without stress, so he's definitely on watch. Unfortunately, not all his/their experiences are friendly and fun, so we get to see him go into action and Mindy's reactions to conflict and being overly stressed. And, oh, there's a cat involved but, well, more than enough fun details. I've only touched on the early stages, so there is much more to discover with Ivar. Thanks #SerenityMountainPublishing - #IBPA for letting me tag along virtually for an early peek at this fun, informative book. As one of those who has to restrain her own tendencies to want to pet every dog I meet, even service animals, this made me admire them even more. Disabilities may not always be visible to the human eye but Ivar and his fellow service animals sense things humans aren't aware of. Treats for Ivar and his associates! (Just ask first!)
