Have Dog, Will Travel

A Poet's Journey with an Exceptional Labrador

By: Stephen Kuusisto

Narrated by: Fred Sanders

In a lyrical love letter to guide dogs everywhere, a blind poet shares his delightful story of how a guide dog changed his life and helped him discover a newfound appreciation for travel and independence.

Stephen Kuusisto was born legally blind - but he was also raised in the 1950s and taught to deny his blindness in order to "pass" as sighted. Stephen attended public school, rode a bike, and read books pressed right up against his nose. As an adult, he coped with his limited vision by becoming a professor in a small college town, memorizing routes for all of the places he needed to be. Then, at the age of 38, he was laid off. With no other job opportunities in his vicinity, he would have to travel to find work.

This is how he found himself at Guiding Eyes paired with a Labrador named Corky. In this vivid and lyrical memoir, Stephen Kuusisto recounts how an incredible partnership with a guide dog changed his life and the heart-stopping, wondrous adventure that began for him in midlife. Profound and deeply moving, this is a spiritual journey, the story of discovering that life with a guide dog is both a method and a state of mind.

©2018 Stephen Kuusisto (P)2018 Simon & Schuster Audio

A great tribute to seeing eye dogs

I didn't really know what to expect when I picked up this title. I was hesitant because, you know, your first thought is to wonder if this is the Audible version of "Old Yeller". Actually, this audio book is surprisingly informative yet brutally frank in its presentation. Honestly, if you're like me before I listened to this book, you don't know much about a seeing eye dog's role or how they are trained. I learned so much from this touching, well written account. I highly recommend this audio book.

Thoughtful and Educational

This book exposes you to the trials of a blind person. It shows how much a dog will change a human soul and how trusting a dog and man relationship can be. The narrative was calming emphasizing how caring and loving work together to improve life.

Important read

Such a sweet and important story. This book shows why it’s important for us to all read about and familiarize ourselves with disabilities rights.
#guidedogs #lovedogs #mustread
#tagsgiving #sweepstakes

the idea of trying to seem normal hits home

I will write more praise when I finish about the similarities between blind blending and normalizing mental disabilities.

hit cloae to home.

being legally blind myself. Listening to this book brought back so many memories good and bad. i wish everyone could hear these words.

Beautiful writing wise sentiments

Stereotypes are avoided by nuanced scenes complex character development sensory details” quotes from philosophers and Poets sprinkled liberally throughout. A generous gift of writing

A beautiful journey

There are not enough stars for this book! By turns practical and beautifully romantic, Have Dog, Will Travel is a nuanced and resonant tribute to Steve Kuusisto's first guide dog, Corky. This book not only touches the guide dog community but anyone who has ever found hope and love in a dog's wagging tail and welcoming eyes. Kuusisto interweaves facts and experiences, creating a work that raises awareness about disability and recommends love and acceptance for our fellow creatures.

This audiobook is quite enjoyable. The narration is solid and engaging.

beautifully narrated, unexpectedly moving.

This was far more than a book about a man and his dog, yet it was that too.

Travels with Corky

A thoughtful, beautifully written (and narrated) account that educates and entertains and in many ways is a love story. Superb.

Professional

Profound, and well written. Explains the life of a person and service dog team in a real and multi faceted, well written journey. I am a new service dog handler, and I don’t feel so alone in the world of service dog enabled people. I love this book.