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| Ella in Europe: An American Dog's International Adventures | 
 enlarge | Author: Michael Konik
Publisher: Delta
Category: Book
List Price: $11.00
Buy New: $5.04
You Save: $5.96 (54%)
New (28) Used (19) from $0.02
Avg. Customer Rating:  59 reviews
Sales Rank: 468391
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 320
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5 x 0.7
ISBN: 0385338635
Dewey Decimal Number: 636.700929
EAN: 9780385338639
ASIN: 0385338635
Publication Date: March 28, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: In excellent condition! 100% Guaranteed. Immediate shipping with recycled materials!
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| Customer Reviews:
 Delightful September 12, 2007
We've been traveling in Europe quite a bit this year, and I can't say I've seen a lot of people actually traveling with their dogs, but this book shows you what is possible. The author is a responsible dog owner - Ella is well-trained and well-behaved, which is probably critical to such an adventure. Because of that, they (and we, by extension) get to see Europe in a new way. Traveling in such a way provides another entree into cultures different from our own by providing a "bridge" - in this case, a dog. I appreciated the author's candor when elaborating on his worries and concerns. They were similar to what I would worry about in a similar situation. He also knows that his dog is a dog, not a furry person. The end seemed a little "unfinished" but overall it was a very enjoyable read.
 ella in europe - a great read! August 30, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Ella in Europe is a terrific book....THE adventure us dog lovers would look to undertake....it is funny and sad, goofy and inspirational and best of all, makes one re-evaluate just what is important in the moment. My 7 year old pup and i read most of this book out on our deck and we were sorry to get to the end..but it is one i will read several times and probably see something new each time....
A Must read for dog lovers August 6, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
"Ella in Europe" is a must read for anyone who loves dogs. It's the story of Ella, a lab/greyhound mix, and her Dad, Michael, who decides to take Ella to Europe as a reward for her work as a therapy dog.
Prior to their European adventure, we are privileged to see Ella at work. During her therapy sessions, Ella teaches her Dad a thing or two about life, about REALLY learning to accept others, about living in the moment, and being grateful for the many things that most of us take for granted.
During their adventures in Europe, Ella, Michael and Sandrine enjoy eating in the finest restaurants, staying in swanky hotels, hobnobbing with the locals in pubs, etc. Ella is allowed to enjoy life to the fullest, something which dogs in the United States can only dream of doing.
This book is written with great honesty, great love, and a great sense of humor. There are many memorable scenes and passages, but there is one in particular which strikes a chord in all of us who have ever had the privilege of sharing our home and our heart with a dog:
How I dread the day when I'll have to say goodbye to my best friend. Everyone who's ever owned a dog knows how these magical creatures quickly evolve from mere pets and pleasant distractions to fully vested members of the family. They're our four-legged sons or daughters or siblings. We care for and fret over them as though they were parents or offspring. People who dislike animals don't comprehend the dog lover's devotion. They innocently wonder, "What's the big deal? It's just a dog."
Those of us who share our homes with dogs can't comprehend such a benighted viewpoint. To us, the love and transcendent light a dog brings into this world are a very big deal, indeed. Ella Guinevere is an extraordinary animal unlike most any other I've known. But in many ways, she's just like any other dog on earth.: They all radiate goodness into our frequently evil world. They all make us humans smile----and cry and laugh and sigh. They all make us feel. And for that we should be eternally grateful.
Do yourself a favor and pick up this book. You won't regret it. It also makes a great gift for family and friends who are animal lovers.
Best book about dog and man July 9, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
"Herr und Hund" - eine ganz besondere Konstellation in der Beziehung zweier Lebewesen, die bereits so eindrucksvoll von Thomas Mann, John Steinbeck und vielen anderen Schriftstellern thematisiert wurde. In deren Fussstapfen tritt nun der in Hollywood lebende Autor Michael Konik mit seinem englischsprachigen Reisebericht "Ella in Europe".
Ebenso amuesant wie spannend geschrieben, erfaehrt der Leser, was Michael Konik und seine weisse Labrador-Greyhound-Mix-Huendin "Ella" auf ihren zusammen sechs Pfoten und was sie mit ihren vier Augen in Europa gesehen und erlebt haben. "Ella is just a dog, but she is my best friend, too," betont Konik. Deshalb moechte er - auch in Europa - so viel Zeit wie moeglich mit ihr gemeinsam verbringen.
Zum grossen Erstaunen des Autors und seiner amerikanischen Leser sind Hunde in Europa - anders als in den USA - fast ueberall willkommen, sogar in Geschaeften, Restaurants und Hotels. Davon koennen Hunde und ihre Besitzer im sonst so freien Amerika nur traeumen!
Konik bewundert und beneidet an den Hunden, dass sie kaum in der Vergangenheit und schon gar nicht in der Zukunft leben. Stattdessen sind sie beherrscht von der Gegenwart und sind zufrieden mit einer Hand voll Futter. (Vielleicht sind Hunde die wahren Buddhisten!?)
"Ella" wurde 1994 geboren und war acht Jahre alt, als ihr "Dad" Michael Konik mit ihr sozusagen als "Belohnung" fuer ihre jahrelange Treue im Jahr 2002 fuer sechs Wochen Belgien, Deutschland, Tschechien, Oesterreich, Italien, Frankreich und die Niederlande bereiste. Zahlreiche Fotos bereichern das Buch, das aus jedem Leser einen Hundeliebhaber macht, wenn er es nicht schon vorher war.
Mit der englischen Sprache hatte Michael Konik in Europa sicherlich kaum Probleme, aber Hunde wie "Ella" sprechen ja sowieso ueberall die gleiche Sprache. - "Wuff!"
Das Buch "Ella in Europe" war das schoenste und ruehrendste, das ich seit vielen Jahren gelesen habe.
[...]
So sweet May 17, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I'm so glad I picked this book up on a whim. The author is clearly besotted with his dog and isn't ashamed to tell the world (or at least those who read his book). He starts out telling the readers about dogs he grew up loving and how much he missed the companion of a dog when he grew up and moved into areas where dogs weren't allowed (now why would anyone do that?!). Eventually, he finds Ella, a white lab/greyhound puppy and he's a goner. For the next eight years she gives him unconditional love and one day a bell goes off. Hey, maybe he'll share some of this loving and he enrolls them in a service dog program where they spend the next few years bringing joy to the sick, the injured and the mentally handicapped. When Ella turns ten, the author takes her on a trip through dog-friendly Europe as a way of saying thanks for being such a loyal companion.
The book follows their adventures as they eat in fancy restaurants, visit touristy sites and shop for a Hermes scarf. This was a very charming, feel-good book only marred by a bit of repetitiveness here and there. Definitely recommended for dog lovers looking for a feel good read.
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