Friday 22 January 2021

Seeing the world from the eyes of a dog

Calling things by their name. Hello, Dachshund Tom, by Bette Westera and Noelle Smit (original in Dutch)


'Your legs are way too short, laughs the cat

Not at all, retorts Dachshund Tom, the box is just too tall'

Dachshund Tom cuddles in the warm woollen blanket with his other dog siblings and mother, it smells of comfort and security and of his mama, who has just come from outdoors. The doorbell rings, Mama Mira rushes out of the box and Tom's world is changed forever. After looking at all the pups, the men choose Tom. She is put in a strange, cold box without a warm woollen blanket and taken away. 

But Tom is no ordinary dog- he is cheeky, brave and curious.

'We'll take him', says the strange man. 'what's his name?' 'You can choose a name yourselves', says his owner. 'What? But my name is Tom', thinks Dachshund Tom. 'You do know that.'

The adventure of his new life with a new family is about to begin. Pablo and Paul arrive home and present Tom to their daughter Sophie. She is ecstatic and the confused Tom must quickly orient himself in this new world. The men tell Sophie she can choose a name for her new friend, but Tom thinks, 'hey guys, I already have a name'.

With warmth, humour and innocence, Tom adjusts to his new owner and family and with Sophie by his side, he is suddenly less lonely and ...at home.

It's wonderful to view the world from the eyes of a dog about to have his life catapulted into the unknown. Not any dog, but a little sausage one, with short legs, a stubborn determination and a healthy curiosity..a dog who knows his name and holds on to it. He snaps at the stranger who has come to upset his new world with his siblings and mother and woollen cosy blanket. He insists his name is Tom and wonders why the family picks up his poop or are surprised by his wee - 'Do you really find that strange?', he thinks.

Just like this baby dog who has to slowly learn to understand the world of people and have himself understood in it, a child will relate to the confusion, fear, frustration and curiosity of Tom, the dachshund.

A wonderful book that carries you on a little journey that forces you out of your comfort zone, invites you to see the world from the eyes of another and to remember who you are. 

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