Review: No Better Friend

Judy was a purebred pointer who was adopted by the men of the HMS Gnat as a mascot in 1936.  The Gnat was a gunboat assigned to protect shipping lanes and repel pirates in China’s Yangtze River.   Several years later, Judy transferred to the Grasshopper with some of the crew – when that ship was sunk, stranding Judy and many of the men on a deserted island, Judy helped everyone survive by finding a source of fresh water.  The party tried to find a way off the island but they were too late and were captured by the Japanese and sent to a prisoner of war camp.  It was at Camp Gloegoer that Judy met Frank Williams, and the two became faithful friends for life.

No Better Friend by Robert Weintraub is the amazing story of Judy, the only dog to be a prisoner of war during World War II.  No one has to be told what life was like in a prisoner of war camp but imagine what it was like if you were trying to keep yourself and a dog alive through the ordeal.  Judy was one smart dog with an amazing instinct for survival.  Williams aided her in her survival but she returned the favor.

I have to admit that No Better Friend started out slow for me as Weintraub filled in Judy’s history and background on the war but once the action started, I was fully engaged and rooting for Judy.  I held my breath through the tense moments and marveled at the tenacity of this marvelous dog.  I found this little known story from World War II fascinating and recommend it to history buffs and animal lovers.

Review copy provided by Little, Brown. I am an Indiebound Affiliate.