Many children go through a horse mad phase but for some it becomes a lifelong obsession. Although this often meets with parental and educational opposition it is amazing how enriching the horse world can be. First and foremost it “knocks the spots off you,” and if you survive you have to grow up fast. Horses are also a great leveller and no truer saying than “pride goeth before a fall,” as they teach you humility. They also teach patience, the power of love and the value of consistency. Horses, like us, are creatures of habit and as with humans the objective is to create good habits. The bad habits, as we all know only too well, are hard to change.
Apart from personal fulfilment they open all kind of opportunities, to meet interesting people, to observe and learn from the world’s experts, to travel, to enjoy our achievements, to cope with our failures and, above all, to have amazing adventures.
We all have challenges to face in life, some greater than others. Most of us born in the developed world are extremely fortunate – something we need to remind ourselves of from time to time. It becomes apparent that it is more the state of mind than the actual circumstances which affect our ability to lead full and happy lives.
This is brought home to us when we meet those less fortunate than ourselves. I see this with friends who maybe seemed shy and insecure but when they suffer a serious illness like cancer or some other disaster that occurs in their life, they find a courage and strength that surprises and impresses us all.
Disabled people have much to teach us, can we even imagine life day after day in the circumstances in which some people live their entire lives, wheelchair-bound, unable to see or hear or communicate, control their actions or their lives? Yet many of these people show nothing but affection and gratitude, they remain cheerful, positive, and determined, to know such people is an honour and a truly humbling experience.
While living in Turkey, I was struck by the large number of dogs roaming the streets, each tagged to indicate vaccinations provided by local authorities. These resilient animals relied on the compassion of locals for food and water, revealing a society polarized between love and disdain for these creatures.
We later became involved with a group of devoted volunteers who journeyed to the hills surrounding Istanbul every Sunday. There, we offered sustenance and shelter to hundreds of abandoned dogs. Astonishingly, these animals – though hardened by life’s adversities – longed for nothing more than a touch of affection. Some were shy, yet many were endlessly loving and never aggressive.
Inspired by true events, this book weaves a heartfelt, fictional tale around Deli, an especially loving dog who lived near my home in Turkey. The story is a touching testament to the enduring spirit and boundless affection of these often-overlooked animals. Discover the real-life magic and emotional depth found in the everyday lives of Turkey’s street dogs, especially our dear Deli.
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