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Valerie Poore
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Living With My Sin: The Story of a Dog's Life Kindle Edition

by Valerie Poore (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.9 out of 5 stars 51 ratings
When Val Poore first agreed to take on an abused rescue puppy, nothing prepared her and her partner, Koos, for the challenges they were going to meet in the coming years. This short memoir is a story of the love and loyalty they developed for Sindy (Sin) against considerable odds and frequent pessimism. It is Sindy's story, but at the same time it is that of many other damaged dogs. The ebook book is illustrated with a few photos to mark the different stages of her life, but there is also a link to a file with further photos at the end. Val would also like to thank the hugely respected dog psychologist, Lisa Tenzin-Dolma, for reading the first draft of this book and giving it her support. Lisa, whose knowledge of dog behaviour is simply incredible, is the founder and principal of the International School for Canine Psychology & Behaviour whose website can be found at http://www.theiscp.com
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  1. Print length
    167 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    February 9, 2020
  4. File size
    5.1 MB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Not Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B084ML2VD4
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Rivergirl Publications; 1st edition (February 9, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 9, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5.1 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 167 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ B088N3XS3W
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 out of 5 stars 51 ratings

About the author

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Valerie Poore

Valerie Poore

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Val Poore was born in London, England, and grew up in both north London and the west of Dorset. After completing her degree in English, History and French at Bournemouth, she took a further course in the conservation and restoration of museum artefacts at Lincoln College of Art. She then spent two years smallholding, rearing Jacobs sheep and doing furniture restoration before going to South Africa in 1981 with her husband and small children.

Val left South Africa permanently in 2001 and has settled in the Netherlands, where she shares her time between a liveaboard barge in Rotterdam and a cottage in Zeeland. She has been writing since childhood and wrote stories, articles and radio plays for years before embarking on her first book in 2005. Val loves travelling on her barge, especially when it involves roughing it a bit. She feels that she has better adventures and more interesting experiences that way.

She has written twelve books altogether: three novels and nine memoirs, three of which are about her life in South Africa, a country she grew to love deeply. The others are all about her experiences of living and cruising on her barge. The latest is being published in May, 2021. Then it'll be back to writing some more fiction. Val writes under her full name Valerie Poore.

For more about Val's daily life on board her barge in Rotterdam, go to https://rivergirlrotterdam.blogspot.nl

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
51 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a beautiful story filled with unconditional love and loyalty between a woman and her rescued dog. The book entertains readers with both tears and laughter.

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7 customers mention "Story quality"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's story engaging, with one describing it as truly inspirational and another noting how it fills their heart with joy.

"...Living With My Sin" was a truly inspirational story of never giving up on someone. Now I need to go hug my dogs even tighter." Read more

"...this author’s work before, finding her books both well written, interesting, and humorous, the dedicated dog parent in me couldn’t resist this..." Read more

"...Oh, this is hard and yet, it fills my heart with joy at the same time. Confused? Val and her partner Koos take on an abused puppy...." Read more

"...dog . Through the years Valerie never gave up and it's a touching book." Read more

6 customers mention "Love"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's portrayal of unconditional love and loyalty between a woman and her rescued dog.

"...beautiful, moving story of pure, unconditional love, faith and unwavering commitment. And the ultimate and lifelong rewards of such virtues...." Read more

"...victories and defeats, and the lengths that she went to for this very spirited dog, who never allowed a day to be dull...." Read more

"...Please do not misunderstand why. This is a book of pure, unconditional love. But, it hit home for me so when I finished it, I needed time to recover...." Read more

"...does a masterful job as she connects our hearts to her lovable rescue dog, Sindy...." Read more

3 customers mention "Humor"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book humorous, with one mentioning that it entertains them with both tears and laughter.

"...’s work before, finding her books both well written, interesting, and humorous, the dedicated dog parent in me couldn’t resist this one...." Read more

"...She entertains us with both tears and laughter while she finds her own personal closure on times spent with her dear Sindy." Read more

"My lasting impression of this short sometimes amusing and sometimes very sad book is that Val Poore, the author, is a doggy saint...." Read more

3 customers mention "Style"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the style of the book, describing it as beautiful, with one customer noting its warm approach.

"This was the beautiful, moving story of pure, unconditional love, faith and unwavering commitment...." Read more

"...Val has written in her down to earth, factual and warm style a story of a very emotionally mixed up rescue dog which I would have given up on within..." Read more

"A beautiful and moving story..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Terry Miller
    5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Stole My Heart
    Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This was the beautiful, moving story of pure, unconditional love, faith and unwavering commitment. And the ultimate and lifelong rewards of such virtues. Taking on Sindy, an abused waif of a puppy, naively having no real idea of what they were getting themselves into, Val and her partner, Koos, continually stepped up to the plate and selflessly met the needs of a dog who defined the words "neurotic" and "needy". To outsiders, including several veterinarians and a doctor, Sindy seemed to be a lost cause. On too many occasions, Val and Koos were encouraged to euthanize her. But sometimes love is stronger than logic and reason. Her loving parents saw what the rest of the world didn't, that against all odds, Sindy was very much worth saving. As Val and Koos met one challenge after another...after another... their intense bond with Sindy deepened into one of their lives' most meaningful relationships. Taking a "you and me against the world" protective stance, Val and Koos, with the help from Val's daughters and a few loyal friends, nurtured "Sin" into a dog who brought endless laughter and joy into their lives. Anyone who has ever intensely loved a dog, especially a difficult, dog, will relate to this poignant, well written book. In a world that values wealth, power and selfishness, this story was a reminder that a life well-lived is actually one where the best people quietly give without asking for anything in return. I have read nearly all of Val Poore's other books and highly recommend this book, as well as her entire body of work. "Living With My Sin" was a truly inspirational story of never giving up on someone. Now I need to go hug my dogs even tighter.
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  • Lizzy
    5.0 out of 5 stars A poignant, relatable, and special story! Loved it!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This book called to me to read it. Having read this author’s work before, finding her books both well written, interesting, and humorous, the dedicated dog parent in me couldn’t resist this one.

    The author’s story of her beloved dog, Sindy, resonated with me in so many ways. First, after being reluctant to adopt this dog, she realized in no time that this was one very special canine pup with, what some might say, exceptional needs and neuroses. Adopting a dog is a different experience for everyone, but when you get a dog who has been abused in her formative first four months of life, one can expect the unexpected.

    Valerie Poore beautifully expresses her frustrations, victories and defeats, and the lengths that she went to for this very spirited dog, who never allowed a day to be dull. While the dog owner in me sighed at all of the crazy things Sindy did, I also knew that if Sindy had been my dog, I would have fallen every bit in love with her. No question. As a matter of fact, I kind of fell in love just reading this book.

    Writing this review, as I reflect back on what I read, isn’t easy. There’s so much that I can relate to with my own animals, and while there are experiences that I don’t share, I can still picture myself in the author’s place and feel what is in her heart as she tells this beautiful story.

    I can't recommend this book enough … especially to dog lovers!
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  • PS Wilson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Hardest review I've ever written
    Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I write this review several days after reading Val Poore's latest memoir. Please do not misunderstand why. This is a book of pure, unconditional love. But, it hit home for me so when I finished it, I needed time to recover. It's really A love story. A love every pet should have from their adoptive parent. Oh, this is hard and yet, it fills my heart with joy at the same time. Confused? Val and her partner Koos take on an abused puppy. I give them hugs for this alone. As a former animal rescuer, I have seen the horrors of what people have done to their innocent victims. I have nursed and attempted rehabilitation on these victims so that maybe, just maybe, someone like Val and Koos would come along and give these pets 100% of their heart. Many people are kind and willing. But, many end up finding out just how hard it is to give love to an animal who may never understand how to trust again. I had a clause in my adoption papers that stated that they must return their pet if it got to be too much. Sad!y, many were brought back even more broken due to the confusion of losing another home. Val and Koos never gave up on their puppy. Yes, they heard the typical line, "just put her down", over and over. It's easy to love a pet who is easy to love. But, one that has mental disorders or physical problems because of what a human did to them deserves patience, love, and time to heal It's hard and often thankless. But, Val and Koos never gave up on Sindy. And, eventually that love was rewarded. Sindy still suffered inwardly her entire 13+ years, but she was given a life every single dog or cat deserves. Val may think she wrote this book about Sindy. No. What she wrote is a lesson to us all. Love them no matter what because time
    doesn't always heal all wounds. But, it does heal the soul. Our fur friends do not want for much and they certainly don't deserve being mistreated. Oh, I've heard the "just put them down" statement, too. Unless they are truly dangerous in a vicious manner and not just scared, then no. They deserve parents like Val and Koos. The evermore parents who won't give up on them. They don't know if yet, but they just want someone to love them and help them live a full life. This book was hard to read. But, it was a joy to read as well. I'd love to believe that all the pets I placed ended up with parents like Val and Koos. Sindy may have started her life betrayed by humans, but she was blessed when she found her forever home.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Between the Lines
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good book
    Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    It's hard to tell who was the real boss was I think Sin won . This book proves how much work and effort it takes to help a abused dog live through that abuse, and since each troubled challenged dog is different ,then each story is also different . I hope the first owner never had another dog .
    Through the years Valerie never gave up and it's a touching book.
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  • EJR
    5.0 out of 5 stars From the Heart - a dog lover's story
    Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Outstanding characterization of the love between a true dog lover and a sometimes difficult dog, but you can easily relate to the bond and the devotion that was shared between the three of them (Sin, her owner, and Koos). Highly recommended.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Yorkshire lass
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very poignant
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 7, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    It’s difficult to find the right words to describe this deeply moving account of the author’s life-changing experience when she adopted a cross-breed Doberman pup, the victim of physical and mental abuse that led to severe behavioural problems, the extent of the damage far worse than Val and her partner, Koos, had anticipated. I cannot help but marvel at Val Poore’s selfless devotion, a measure of her kindness and compassion in the face of such seemingly insurmountable problems. I think it’s fair to say that even the most ardent animal lovers would have given up, but not so, Val, who became Sindy’s saviour.

    After Sindy’s disturbing behaviour escalated, three different vets advised Val to have her put down. It was never going to be an option for such a dyed-in-the-wool dog lover and only deepened her resolve to persevere. All it required to help heal the wounds was to give Sin (her nickname) a strong sense of security, unconditional love, combined with oodles of patience. If only life were that simple! Unprepared for a worsening situation, there were times when Val was almost driven to distraction, yet still she soldiered on, until she and Koos were forced to make some life-changing decisions. From hereon, we are given an insight into the struggles they encountered, the catastrophes, disappointments, frustrations as well as the high-notes in the ensuing years. Amidst all the mayhem there is humour. But, above all, the deep bond that was forged between the three of them was rewarding in ways that the author could never have imagined and, in spite of the heart-ache, her canine friend enriched her life.

    The memories of her beloved dog are so deeply ingrained that, by her own admission, to revisit them evoked such powerful emotions it was a challenge committing them to paper. On a lighter note, her stoicism shines through when she describes the state of her car. Visualising its destruction made the hair stand up on the back of my neck and, at the same time, brought a smile to my face. The word ‘saint’ sprang to mind!

    I urge all animal lovers to buy this book, if only to gain a better understanding of the deep-rooted effects of abuse and how it can lead to long-term behavioural issues. It’s sobering, but well worth the read.
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  • Margaret Hobbs
    5.0 out of 5 stars What a superb book about Val's life with Sindy her rescue dog.
    Reviewed in Spain on February 19, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This book must have been so hard for Val to write ,it is a roller coaster of emotions ,what comes through the strongest is the unconditional love Val had for her dog Sindy.
    Val writes so beautifully I don't just read her words but feel them .
    Val and her partner Koos changed their life style to meet the needs of their rescue dog Sindy,who as a puppy had been abused and hence came with many challenges.
    So heartwarming ,how Sindy grew to love and trust them in return.
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  • Kindle Customersheila Robinson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Living with my Sin
    Reviewed in Australia on June 7, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Just finished this wonderful book and tears are still flowing.Such a great story of love and dedication to a hurt little soul and all you did to give her the best life.Yes you are truly a dog lady,and by now I hope you have a new furry friend
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  • Lally
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful tribute to a much loved 'best friend'
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 11, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Canine lovers everywhere will relate to this touching story.

    Val and Koos rescued the abused Sindy to save her life, an impulsive gesture only a fellow dog lover can understand. Val has been around dogs all her life and has had several of her own, but Sindy was to test Val to her limits. Val and Koos went to extreme lengths to help their beloved Sin try to adjust to life around her. They never gave up, even when three different vets suggested ‘putting her down’. There were multiple challenges with medical problems and behavioral issues but the happy successes compensated and Sin rewarded the couple with absolute loyalty and unconditional love. Val’s wonderful daughter Jodie deserves a special mention here, she adored Sindy and Sindy adored her. Jodie was always there when needed, right up to the end.

    Reading Sin’s moving story I am acutely aware that a dog is much more than ‘a furry kid’ as Val puts it, and as she relates the ups and downs of life with her adorable Sindy I heard myself saying ‘Oh yes, I know exactly what you mean Val, been there, done that and definitely got the T-Shirt!’

    Beautiful written this is an honest, emotional roller-coaster of a read that is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. It had me laughing out loud (does your dog ‘bury’ bones in the toilet bowl?) and reduced me to tears as the final chapter unfolded.

    A lovely read with some great pictures of Sindy. A wonderful tribute to a very special furry best friend.
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  • Beth Haslam
    5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderfully told story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 25, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I am a dedicated fan of Val Poore’s books, so when this memoir was published, I didn’t hesitate to buy a copy. Thank goodness I did.

    The plot is simple. This story tells how the author and her partner adopt and bring a psychologically damaged rescue dog into their lives. What turns out to be far from simple is dealing with the complex set of traumas that ravage the maltreated animal.

    In a heart-rending account, Val Poore describes the difficulties she encounters as her troubled rescue puppy, Sindy, grows into an adult. The extent to which the author shapes her life around their dog is extraordinary. The ordeals, their mistakes, their successes, her honesty is remarkable. There’s fun too, lots of that as a bond gradually develops, but it’s tainted by fragility.

    Often strained to the max, on several occasions the author is advised by experts to have her dog destroyed. Does she go ahead? Well, you’ll have to read the book to find out.

    Beautifully told, I laughed with Val, I felt proud of her and Koos, her partner. I also shed many tears of compassion and sadness. The book is honest, and it will stay with me for a long time. I highly recommend it for lovers of excellent memoirs and especially dog lovers.
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