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Published by HarperTrue on 9^th February, priced £6.99 PB

Allen Parton was seriously injured while serving in the Gulf War. He lost the use of both of his legs, along with all memories of his wife and children. He was left unable to walk, talk or write - isolated in his own world. After five years of intensive therapy and rehab, he was still angry, bitter and unable to talk. Then a chance encounter with a Labrador puppy called Endal changed his life.

Their remarkable story is told in ENDAL – How One Extraordinary Dog Brought a Family Back from the Brink.   This heart-warming book tells how a puppy who had nearly  failed training as an assistance dog on health grounds came to be voted ‘Dog of the Millennium’ and how, through his remarkable skills, companionship and unstinting devotion, he gave Allen Parton a reason to live again.

Told through the eyes of both Allen and his loyal wife Sandra, the book covers the years after Allen’s accident and before Endal’s arrival when Allen’s brain injury left him bewildered and confused, unable to return to the Navy job he loved, and refusing to come to terms with his disabilities. Allen twice tried to commit suicide during this period such was his despair.

Sandra was a nurse so thought she could cope when her seriously injured husband was sent home but nothing prepared her for looking after a man who bore so little resemblance to the warm, funny, loving man she had married. He shared none of her memories and was unable to think of anyone but himself leaving her virtually alone to bring up their two children, making ends meet and keeping her husband alive.

When by chance Allen encountered Endal and the two ‘adopted’ each other the determined Labrador gave Allen back his independence. The dog learnt over 200 commands to help his master complete everyday tasks such as getting dressed and going out to the shops in his wheelchair, but more importantly Endal was the reason for Allen to communicate with the outside world, and to once more become a caring husband and father. ENDAL is their inspiring story.

Endal has been given many awards, including the PDSA Gold Award and Dog of the Millennium award. Allen, Sandra and Endal currently work with a number of animal and disability charities. The Partons are available for interview.

The story of Endal is the subject of a Sky Real Lives documentary entitled The Dog that Saved Our Marriage, to be shown in early March. 

                   

 

 

 

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Endal links ...

ENDAL

ENDAL'S GALLERY

ENDAL'S ACTIVITIES

ENDAL'S STORY

E J ARIZONA