Beautiful Joe

I read this book over 30 years ago and lost touch of my original copy. It is a beautiful story and has touched my heart every since I was a young adult and purchased a used copy of this book. If you love animals you will love this story. As a teacher, I would read this story to my children and the impact upon them was an overwhelming love for dogs and other animals. It gave them the knowledge about animal abuse and how it affects animals. If a dog could talk he could tell us how he/she feels. In this story Beautiful Joes (the dog) does tell how abuse hurts. It gives children and adults the realization that animals can not speak for themselves and we have to be their advocate. As a first grade teacher I found it to be an excellent resource for teaching on animal abuse. It also a wonderful story for adults as well who love animals. Our shelters are full of unwanted pets, dogs and cats, found dumped in trash cans still alive but on the brink of death. The suffering they endure is heart breaking. This book really impacted my life. I have never forgotten this story that helped motivate me to volunteer in shelters from time to time over the years. I would give this book a five star rating. Sincerely Marie Heim