Friends for Life: Amazon.co.uk: Jan Fennell: Books

Product Description

Full of anecdotal case-histories and told in her own unique voice, we see how Jan Fennell’s unique gifts have won her the admiration of dog lovers worldwide.

Jan Fennell's unique gift has won her an international following. Her books, The Dog Listener and The Practical Dog Listener were instant best-sellers, and she became a house-hold name through her international success. In her new book, Jan tells the story of the personal journey that led her to success – and the crucial part her canine companions played in her development.

Jan reveals her bond with dogs was forged amid the personal sadness of her childhood in London, an often traumatic period when it seemed Jan's beloved pets were her only source of unconditional love. She goes on to describe her experiences as a young mother, struggling to establish herself in an unfamiliar – and sometimes hostile – rural Lincolnshire community. Jan’s story eventually turns into a charming country tale – a self-sufficient idyll, inhabited by colourful characters – both human and canine. But when life deals her a series of blows it is her dogs, once more, who provide Jan with her strength and inspiration, and an unexpected new lease of life.

Friends For Life is filled with the charm, gentle humour and unquenchable humanity that so delights Jan’s fans. Its pages are alive with the scores of larger-than-life personalities – from clairvoyant Romany relatives to curmudgeonly farmers, happy-go-lucky circus bosses to saintly animal sanctuary owners – who have shaped Jan's eventful life.

Above all, however, it is the story of one woman's struggle against the odds, and the life-long love affair that has been the key to her survival and ultimate triumph.

From the Back Cover

'Jan Fennel may not have danced with wolves, but she's stood nose to nose with them – and if she was given half a chance, I'm sure she could make lions lie down with lambs.''Daily Record'

'Friends For Life' reveals the early part of Jan Fennell's amazing story and her search to discover where her true gifts lay and how to use them.

Growing up in London, in modest circumstances, in a complicated family – running from Romany relatives to a ring of powerful uncles, from beloved grandmothers to missing brothers. Jan Fennell always felt undervalued and unwanted by her parents. Her bond with animals, and in particular dogs – her own when she was allowed and strays – was her only source of unconditional love.

The move to living in the country, her marriage and the birth of her children seemed a wonderful dream come true. Neither Jan Fennell or her husband had ever lived in the country or had any idea what to expect. Her story of their adventures and mishaps, of the discovery of their neighbours and the struggle to adapt to ways and to put down roots is in turn funny, heart-warming and moving. 'Friends for Life' is peopled with wonderful characters – from the clairvoyant Romany grandmother whose instincts she seems to have inherited to curmudgeonly farmers who did not believe in her attitudes towards animals, from happy-go-lucky circus bosses to remarkable animal sanctuary owners – and of course with snapshots of the companions who entered her life.

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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

An Inspirational Read! 18 May 2003

By "insomniatic"

Format:Hardcover

Having previously read The Dog Listener & The Practical Dog Listener, I was intrigued to see how it all began. As the reader, you are taken on a journey seeing how she progressed from lonely little girl, whos only friends are her canine ones (real or imaginary) through to her magnificant work as the dog listener. It's inspiring to see how the dogs in her life directed her paths and made her who she is.
It is a well written book, you can really relate to Jan and feel great sympathy for her trials and tribulations, as well as her success's and triumphs. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is a Jan Fennell fan and wants to enjoy all it has to offer!

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

Lovely lovely book 8 Oct 2004

By Debs

This is an insight into the dog loving authors life, and very interesting reading it makes too. A must for people that are interested in other doggy people and how they got where they are today.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful

a real inpsiration 27 Oct 2004

By Mrs. Anita Mcskimming VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Jan fennell is the only person I can think of that I've read about who has made her way in the world without the help of a rich man behind her. The book is mainly about her life leading up to the dog listening stage but the dog stories don't come into it until the last thirs of the book. But don't let that put you off. It's a real inspiration.