Lendle

In the grand tradition of Watership Down, author Joseph Collins' animal fantasy, The Whispering Fields, follows a group of five stray dogs as they struggle to survive New York's upstate wilderness, while seeking out a legendary, hidden sanctuary for all homeless and unwanted dogs.When Toby, a young, border-collie mix, is dumped on a solitary country road one foggy, October morning, his epic journey begins. Afraid and confused, and wrestling with newfound fears of abandonment, he soon finds solace when he meets up with four other strays.There's Max, a wise, old golden retriever, who quickly becomes Toby's mentor, offering consolation and bits of advise and wisdom; soon followed by Bosco and Dodger, who, as the heart and soul of the group, wholeheartedly believe in the Whispering Fields (a sort of Shangri-la for dogs), and possess the all-but-forgotten poem that hopefully will lead them to its safety; and Zeus, a strong, yet somber and moody German shepherd with a dark secret, who seriously doubts the haven's existence.Once their quest gets under way, it isn't long before the dogs face one obstacle after another, from surviving the wilderness and harsh weather, to a battle of wits and brawn with a devious coyote, to their unnerving encounters with a ghostly hound, whose appearances they fear are an omen of tragic things to come.As the canine fellowship come to know each other and form lasting bonds of friendship, we come to know them, and are exposed to a whole new world of animal culture, songs, stories and myths. The reader can't help but cheer on the canine heroes, well-drawn and likable characters, as they struggle in a world of cruelty and hardships, in an attempt to find their much coveted sanctuary.A mix of adventure and mythology, of animal fable and character study, The Whispering Fields, ultimately, is a tale of friendship and survival, and, in these violent and disturbing times, of dreaming of a better, more peaceful world.__________"This captivating book is an absolute treat for all animal lovers."