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If Only I Could Talk: A Canine Adventure
Trapped in a house fire, Nelson is dying. If only he could open the door … Nelson whimpers his final goodbye to Rascal, his canine soulmate, their paws almost touching through the heavy glass that separates them. Succumbing to the smoke, his life drifts slowly before him … Nelson was born deep in the French Alps, where his only worries were how snow could be both soft and hard and why it made the house sink. And whose turn it was to fetch the baguettes from the boulangerie. So how could puppy love be so cruel? And how ever did he find himself lost and lonely in England? His dogged wanderings eventually led him to David and his son Timothy, a young boy with autism. Life was once again full of joy. Until now, trapped in the fire, Nelson’s luck has surely deserted him. But he can’t die yet! He has an amazing tale to tell – and an amazing tail to tell it with. And with Rascal there to help, Nelson has no choice but to survive.
262 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2010
104 people are currently reading
502 people want to read
About the author
Tony Lewis
3 books16 followersTony Lewis is the author of ‘If Only I Could Talk - a Canine Adventure’, ‘Tales from the Hilltop - a summer in the other South of France’, and 'Masala Memories - Travels in the Land of Colour'.
Tony was born the wrong side of four decades ago in the heavily accented heart of Northern England. He currently divides his time and wages between Portugal, France, and a lesser-visited place called ‘home’. He enjoys cycling and walking – quite often the latter when the hills are too steep.
I’d like to thank all the readers out there for buying a copy of my books. And thank you ever so much to those of you who have taken the time to write an honest and constructive review – your feedback really is massively appreciated.
Best wishes!
Tony
Tony was born the wrong side of four decades ago in the heavily accented heart of Northern England. He currently divides his time and wages between Portugal, France, and a lesser-visited place called ‘home’. He enjoys cycling and walking – quite often the latter when the hills are too steep.
I’d like to thank all the readers out there for buying a copy of my books. And thank you ever so much to those of you who have taken the time to write an honest and constructive review – your feedback really is massively appreciated.
Best wishes!
Tony
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
July 11, 2018
I loved this story though I sat sobbing for almost the whole of the final chapter and had to come in from the garden where I was reading it, so the neighbours didn't think I'd totally lost the plot !! I knew, being a doggy book, that there were bound to be sad parts but over all this was an uplifting story, this dog had a pretty good life. He teaches us plenty of lessons along his journey as well, especially as how easy it can be to look away for a few minutes and you can lose your precious pet !!
It's so well written and presented as well. You expect with a self-published offering that's it going to be full of mistakes and it isn't so publishers need to take note. I buy too many supposedly best-sellers full of errors which is pretty appalling. There were NO mistakes in this at all.
Our doggy narrator is a funny one. He had me chuckling a great deal as he related his story and his thoughts to us. I especially liked his Timothy he met and lived with. If he had to tell us, I think he'd have been his favourite person of all those he encountered throughout his life. He certainly lived with a varying cast of owners, though. I greatly enjoyed his relationship with Belle as well....that was lovely.
It has a smashing cover and it is this face I picture throughout. If you're a doggified person as I am, you're sure to love this story.
It's so well written and presented as well. You expect with a self-published offering that's it going to be full of mistakes and it isn't so publishers need to take note. I buy too many supposedly best-sellers full of errors which is pretty appalling. There were NO mistakes in this at all.
Our doggy narrator is a funny one. He had me chuckling a great deal as he related his story and his thoughts to us. I especially liked his Timothy he met and lived with. If he had to tell us, I think he'd have been his favourite person of all those he encountered throughout his life. He certainly lived with a varying cast of owners, though. I greatly enjoyed his relationship with Belle as well....that was lovely.
It has a smashing cover and it is this face I picture throughout. If you're a doggified person as I am, you're sure to love this story.
October 16, 2014
No words to describe it! (Literally)
October of last year, 2013, I suffered an accident that left me with expressive aphasia. I was left confused for many,many months. unable to speak,write or read properly. slowly through help of my family, friends, especially God, I have begun to speak more clearly, write, but most importantly, I have begun to read again. it takes me about three times longer to finish a book, but I don't mind, my fear was never to be able to read ever again. if only I could talk is first book I have read since my accident, not only did it help me therapeutically, but it enlightened my soul. it helped me to love again, to love myself again, to know that there is always hope. this book is so beautifully written, it's an amazing book. it should be in everyone's bucket list. I feel I love my dogs even more now, understand them more now. thank you Mr Tony Lewis for writing from your heart. I would love to meet Mr Lewis and personally thank him for helping me overcome such a terrible, depressing time in my life with this one little book!!
October of last year, 2013, I suffered an accident that left me with expressive aphasia. I was left confused for many,many months. unable to speak,write or read properly. slowly through help of my family, friends, especially God, I have begun to speak more clearly, write, but most importantly, I have begun to read again. it takes me about three times longer to finish a book, but I don't mind, my fear was never to be able to read ever again. if only I could talk is first book I have read since my accident, not only did it help me therapeutically, but it enlightened my soul. it helped me to love again, to love myself again, to know that there is always hope. this book is so beautifully written, it's an amazing book. it should be in everyone's bucket list. I feel I love my dogs even more now, understand them more now. thank you Mr Tony Lewis for writing from your heart. I would love to meet Mr Lewis and personally thank him for helping me overcome such a terrible, depressing time in my life with this one little book!!
July 26, 2025
Dogs truly are angels without wings. I am a dog lover, and as in many doggie stories, I became highly emotional reading this story which commences with doggie Nelson trapped in a fire and bidding farewell through the glass to his pooch pal, Rascal.Funny. Sad. Uplifting. Beautiful. 5 🌟.
May 9, 2014
Anyone who loves dogs should definitley read this.
I didn't think i would manage to get past the first few pages (anyone who managed to get through without shedding a tear must have a heart of stone) BUT i'm so glad i did!
This book had me in tears and also laughing out loud in parts too and gripped me from page one!
I fell in love with all of the characters (dogs and humans). It was such a beautiful story loved it from beginning to end
I absolutely loved it and am going to be telling everyone about it!
I didn't think i would manage to get past the first few pages (anyone who managed to get through without shedding a tear must have a heart of stone) BUT i'm so glad i did!
This book had me in tears and also laughing out loud in parts too and gripped me from page one!
I fell in love with all of the characters (dogs and humans). It was such a beautiful story loved it from beginning to end
I absolutely loved it and am going to be telling everyone about it!
February 23, 2011
This book is a delightful, insightful, amusing, thought-provoking and all-round terrific read. Tony Lewis writes with such passion and his prose flows effortlessly. I defy anyone who even remotely likes dogs not to fall in love with Nelson, and for those of us who are true animal lovers, Tony provides a unique insight into the mind and world of our best friends.
Buy it - read it, it's great!
Cas Peace, author of
King's Envoy and
For the Love of Daisy.
Buy it - read it, it's great!
Cas Peace, author of
King's Envoy and
For the Love of Daisy.
April 23, 2011
This is THE best book I have read for years! Its sad, funny, heartwarming, moving, a wonderful tale of a dog, and his adventures in his life. The way the book is written, ie that its the dog telling the story is absolutely fantastic. Have a box of tissues ready! I promise you wont read this book without shedding tears! I couldnt put it down once I started, and have read it twice already. I certainly hope that Tony Lewis writes more books. He certainly is a talented writer.
August 9, 2014
Wonderful
Wonderful
I laughed, I cried, and enjoyed it immensely. It was great having the perspective of a dog. Love the settings and the different language, as well as his adventures at different times in his life. The ending was such a great way to tie it all together. Highly recommend reading this book especially for those who believe their dogs are as smart as you think they are.
Wonderful
I laughed, I cried, and enjoyed it immensely. It was great having the perspective of a dog. Love the settings and the different language, as well as his adventures at different times in his life. The ending was such a great way to tie it all together. Highly recommend reading this book especially for those who believe their dogs are as smart as you think they are.
January 25, 2013
As a pet owner (4 dogs, 2 cats), I found this book absolutely delightful! It was fun, thoughtful, and heart-wrenching and I loved the way fate pulled all the strings together to make a complete circle of life around the main character. Dogs (pets) are such good therapy!
July 6, 2014
Another book for dog lovers from the dog's perspective. Not sure about the writing, so I gave it 3-stars
December 14, 2022
First I want to warn you that this is a very sad book. There were many parts when my eyes would tear up, but also parts where I would smile. The dog, Nelson, who is the main character, is telling the story of his life. The first chapter starts very sad.
Nelson tells of the different places he has lived and the names he has been called.
I am not good at reviews but I enjoyed this book and believe others will too. As I wrote earlier it is sad but has funny parts in it. It will make you wonder if dogs really think those thoughts. The book is self-published and I hope the writer does find a publisher soon.
Nelson tells of the different places he has lived and the names he has been called.
I am not good at reviews but I enjoyed this book and believe others will too. As I wrote earlier it is sad but has funny parts in it. It will make you wonder if dogs really think those thoughts. The book is self-published and I hope the writer does find a publisher soon.
August 16, 2020
Lovely canine caper
Don't you really wish dogs could talk? As I sit here next to my adorable, much beloved whiskered JR terrier/pug mix, I have often wondered what is going on in that pretty little head of his. Well this book gives me a lot of insight into the possibilities of what George, my canine companion might be wanting to say. Truly I loved this story and hated to see if end. What I would love is to see this made into a movie! Disney here's your next great one!!! 😘
Don't you really wish dogs could talk? As I sit here next to my adorable, much beloved whiskered JR terrier/pug mix, I have often wondered what is going on in that pretty little head of his. Well this book gives me a lot of insight into the possibilities of what George, my canine companion might be wanting to say. Truly I loved this story and hated to see if end. What I would love is to see this made into a movie! Disney here's your next great one!!! 😘
January 25, 2019
A different perspective
This was a fun read, most of it anyway. I always wonder what my dog thinks about things and to read something like this (through a dogs eyes) was interesting. If you think dogs are capable of thoughts, then you should enjoy this book it's written in a believable context, and I would recommend it!
This was a fun read, most of it anyway. I always wonder what my dog thinks about things and to read something like this (through a dogs eyes) was interesting. If you think dogs are capable of thoughts, then you should enjoy this book it's written in a believable context, and I would recommend it!
June 29, 2019
I read this book 4 or 5 years ago. I loved it and recommend it often. The author has an amazing talent to bring one on the journey of a puppy to a
Senior dog. I could picture almost everything this dog traveled to both good and bad. I get bored easily so having read this book to its entirety says a lot. I remember it years later. I highly recommend this book.
Senior dog. I could picture almost everything this dog traveled to both good and bad. I get bored easily so having read this book to its entirety says a lot. I remember it years later. I highly recommend this book.
May 17, 2022
I knew from the very first page , that I would love this book and it would be funny and there would be tears.
Floods of tears I'm sat in my garden opposite my husband and he's asking if I'm ok. I've finished this book.
This book is a story of a dog not just a dog ,a friend , a confidant, a son and a brother. And a dad.
Thank You
Floods of tears I'm sat in my garden opposite my husband and he's asking if I'm ok. I've finished this book.
This book is a story of a dog not just a dog ,a friend , a confidant, a son and a brother. And a dad.
Thank You
June 10, 2022
Warm and wonderful
After reading this book, I thought about all the dogs that we have had over the years. If only they could have talked. I was brought to tears more than once. Dogs do not live as long as we would like, but they certainly enrich our lives. A great story told from the dog's point of view.
After reading this book, I thought about all the dogs that we have had over the years. If only they could have talked. I was brought to tears more than once. Dogs do not live as long as we would like, but they certainly enrich our lives. A great story told from the dog's point of view.
August 17, 2017
Quick and easy read. Written from the perspective of the dog. It's his life story...and that of his friends and families...human and animal. I enjoyed it...but it felt similar in many ways to others I've read in the past.
September 27, 2017
Great book!
Makes me think what my dog thinks!
The book was heart touching and very enjoyable to read. We all wonder what our best friends in thinking maybe this will give us an idea.
Makes me think what my dog thinks!
The book was heart touching and very enjoyable to read. We all wonder what our best friends in thinking maybe this will give us an idea.
November 25, 2021
The feels
OMG! This story had my heart bursting.......with love and pain. Dogs make life worth it but it hurts so bad to lose them and you definitely felt that in the way this was written
OMG! This story had my heart bursting.......with love and pain. Dogs make life worth it but it hurts so bad to lose them and you definitely felt that in the way this was written
February 12, 2018
Sweet story
April 8, 2023
Recommended to dog people!
April 29, 2024
A dogs life
Ombre/Ozzy/Nelson relates his life story. This book really drags in places but overall I enjoyed it. I found it touching.
Ombre/Ozzy/Nelson relates his life story. This book really drags in places but overall I enjoyed it. I found it touching.
March 17, 2016
Let me preface my review by saying that I generally find books written by Brits to be stilted, boring and containing characters that I cannot relate to (and frankly wouldn't even want to). There are quite a few examples of these in my 'canceled-due-to-lack-of-interest' file.
Tony Lewis not only breaks but shatters this moId.
I buzzed through this book and found it to be very engaging from start to finish.
It is a fantastical book. I had trouble with that at first, but Mr. Lewis pulls you along until you quit focusing on the details of the car you're riding in and start enjoying the scenery.
It's quite a stretch to go along with the extraordinary thinking and shared dog languages, but that is what makes up this book. So… just go ahead and stretch.
You'll be happy that you did.
Coincidence; David works as a fund-raising manager for an animal charity called PAWS.
I and my little dog, a Havenese named Katy, work as volunteers for a hospice organization and we are Paw Pals.
Tony Lewis not only breaks but shatters this moId.
I buzzed through this book and found it to be very engaging from start to finish.
It is a fantastical book. I had trouble with that at first, but Mr. Lewis pulls you along until you quit focusing on the details of the car you're riding in and start enjoying the scenery.
It's quite a stretch to go along with the extraordinary thinking and shared dog languages, but that is what makes up this book. So… just go ahead and stretch.
You'll be happy that you did.
Coincidence; David works as a fund-raising manager for an animal charity called PAWS.
I and my little dog, a Havenese named Katy, work as volunteers for a hospice organization and we are Paw Pals.
November 28, 2018
First and foremost let me state that I did not finish the book. I tried but just couldn't. I got a little more than halfway through it before losing all motivation to keep reading.
Second,
I almost never take the time to write q review but i couldn't give myself credit for reading this book without acknowledging that I couldn't get through it and why..
so here it goes..
I love animals and loves the idea that this book is written in the dog's perspective.
The book started out so strong that the rest of the story just drags and you are stuck wondering when and if it will pick up again...
.. and as you know I stopped wondering and stopped reading.. I just couldn't keep interest.
sorry Tony .
Second,
I almost never take the time to write q review but i couldn't give myself credit for reading this book without acknowledging that I couldn't get through it and why..
so here it goes..
I love animals and loves the idea that this book is written in the dog's perspective.
The book started out so strong that the rest of the story just drags and you are stuck wondering when and if it will pick up again...
.. and as you know I stopped wondering and stopped reading.. I just couldn't keep interest.
sorry Tony .
June 3, 2012
This is a story about a dog and his life told through his words. It started off strong and engaging. It ended that way as well. The middle, though, was a little hard to get through. The story jumped around a lot. It also takes place between France and England which occasionally made the dialogue a little hard to follow. Even with its strong, touching beginning and ending, sections in the middle left me disappointed. Compared to other stories I have read in which the story is told from the viewpoint of the dog, this one was not as good. L.M.
May 3, 2014
I loved Nelson's sometimes funny, sometimes heart wrenching journey through life. There were some parts where I thought the dialogue was a bit stilted and the time period changes weren't always smooth. Also, too many dogs died that I did not think were integral to the story line. However, that bring said, overall I thought the book was enjoyable (and I got a refresher course on my rustic French phrases)!!
March 27, 2016
4.5 stars
What a beautiful, sweet and touching story about Ombré/Ozzy(Oswald)/Nelson, the medium sized mixed breed black dog with a patch of white on his chest. He takes you through his beginnings after a nearly dies in a fire.
This story was both sad and funny. I cried SEVERAL times! I don't know how to explain this book without giving too much away. Just read it! You will be glad you did :)
What a beautiful, sweet and touching story about Ombré/Ozzy(Oswald)/Nelson, the medium sized mixed breed black dog with a patch of white on his chest. He takes you through his beginnings after a nearly dies in a fire.
This story was both sad and funny. I cried SEVERAL times! I don't know how to explain this book without giving too much away. Just read it! You will be glad you did :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2014
Wow
Wow
This book is like so long to read but this is like the best things I ever read. and I read a million books in one month. Everyone get it or die from the regret from not getting it people must read this I'm a kid kids and adults should read this awesome book too for your own sake.
Wow
This book is like so long to read but this is like the best things I ever read. and I read a million books in one month. Everyone get it or die from the regret from not getting it people must read this I'm a kid kids and adults should read this awesome book too for your own sake.
October 3, 2014
Excellent read!
Having a great love of dogs, I appreciated the author's ability to capture a dog's thoughts in a meaningful and evocative manner. The author is an excellent wordsmith and the story was quite compelling. I recommend this book with great delight, and am glad to have found it.
Having a great love of dogs, I appreciated the author's ability to capture a dog's thoughts in a meaningful and evocative manner. The author is an excellent wordsmith and the story was quite compelling. I recommend this book with great delight, and am glad to have found it.
November 2, 2015
Sweet little story
Ombré-Ozzy-Nelson , what a life. This book was just right. When you read it, you may find yourself wanting a dog or cuddling your dog more than usual. Well done Mr Lewis. As I read this book, it seemed to jump around too much. However after finishing, it all fits and feels right. Gotta love dog books.
Ombré-Ozzy-Nelson , what a life. This book was just right. When you read it, you may find yourself wanting a dog or cuddling your dog more than usual. Well done Mr Lewis. As I read this book, it seemed to jump around too much. However after finishing, it all fits and feels right. Gotta love dog books.
December 14, 2023
A Dog's Life
This was a really good story! Ombre/Ozzy/Nelson the dog tells the story of his life - heartwarming, funny, and sad in turn.
Tony Lewis really gets the canine characters and makes them come alive on the pages. If a dog could talk, he'd probably sound just like this!
Anyone who has ever owned or loved a dog would enjoy this book. Check it out!
This was a really good story! Ombre/Ozzy/Nelson the dog tells the story of his life - heartwarming, funny, and sad in turn.
Tony Lewis really gets the canine characters and makes them come alive on the pages. If a dog could talk, he'd probably sound just like this!
Anyone who has ever owned or loved a dog would enjoy this book. Check it out!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews