Book Review - Blind Hope

Title: Blind Hope: An Unwanted Dog and the Woman She Rescued

Author: Kim Meeder and Laurie Sacher

Publisher: Multnomah Books

Publication Date: July 20, 2010

Paperback: 208 pages

ISBN: 978-1601422804

Genre: Inspirational/Non-Fiction

From the Publisher:

An unwanted dog. An emotional rescue.

Two lives forever changed.

Laurie’s dreams had been shattered before she came to work at Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch—the ranch of rescued dreams—where broken horses and broken children encounter healing every day. In an attempt to soothe her aching soul, Laurie reached out to save a dog in need. And she soon began to realize that the dog was rescuing her.

An inspiring true story told through the engaging voice of Kim Meeder, Blind Hope reveals poignant life lessons Laurie experienced from her ailing, yet courageous canine friend. Despite the blindness of her dog—and her own heart—Laurie uncovered what she really needed most: authentic love, unconditional trust, and true acceptance, faults and all.

As Laurie and her dog, Mia, both learned to follow the lead of a master they couldn’t see, Laurie discovered the transforming power of God’s grace even for imperfect and selfish people—and she experienced a greater love than she had ever known.



About the Authors:
Kim Meeder is the cofounder and director of Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch, an organization that rescues abused and dying horses and pairs them with children in need. Kim’s first book, Hope Rising, propelled the ranch to win the national Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award and launched her extensive public/motivational speaking schedule at schools, churches, and governmental conferences across the United States. She and her husband, Troy, have been married for twenty-five years and live in Central Oregon. The size of their family fluctuates each year with the number of horses and kids that they rescue.

Laurie Sacher is a team leader at Crystal Peaks Youth. Laurie graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University in 2003 and taught English as Second Language in Spain before returning to her native California roots to pursue her passion for kids and animals. When she isn’t working at the ranch, Laurie enjoys running with her dog, snowboarding, hiking, horseback riding, and spending time in coffee shops with friends.

I received a complimentary copy of Blind Hope by Kim Meeder and Laurie Sacher from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

 
My Review:
This is a story of complete unabandoned and unconditional love.  Laurie arrived at Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch broken and hopeless.  She was holding strong to all of her emotions and not sharing with anyone while volunteering at the ranch.  While at the ranch she decides to rescue a dog, sight unseen.  Her thoughts and ideas of this dog were dashed on the rocks when she went to pick up the dog.  Struggling with whether to stick with this dog or give up on it, she realizes that this relationship was helping her in more ways than she could count.  Blind Hope is a very short book that is set up in conversation mode between Kim and Laurie.  The insights to this book are completely overwhelming.  There are moments of joy, laughing and tears.  You truly "get" the relationship and the love that builds and grows between Laurie and this dog.
 
Such a wonderful feel good story!!  This book is great for every age.