Rose in a Storm by Jon Katz
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a story of a Border Collie--from the dog's point of view. It chronicles mostly the time period of a severe winter storm--there are some references to past events and the epilogue carries over to the summer.

Rose is Sam's dog. They have a working relationship on the farm--each doing their job--neither being very affectionate with the other, though both respecting the other. A winter storm is coming and Sam and Rose work to prepare the farm's barns, shelters, and animals from the cold. They work together as a team, feeding and watering the stock, rounding up stray cattle, goats and sheep, and getting things secure. Calamity strikes when Sam tries to rake snow from the roof of the barn creating an avalanche that swallows both Sam and Rose. Rose is near the edge of the avalanche and is able to crawl out from under the snow. She looks for Sam and can't find him, then decides he must be under the snow. After several hours of digging (til her feet are raw and bleeding), Rose uncovers Sam, who is alive, but with multiple injuries. They manage to make it to the house. Phone lines and power are out. Sam shoots a flare for help.

Help arrives by helicopter the next day during a break in the storm. Sam begs Rose to come with him, but she refuses. While Sam is getting medical treatment, Rose manages to save most of the livestock, though she is barely alive when Sam returns.

An interesting story from a different perspective. A good read that kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next.

This book was borrowed from T. H. Pulliam.

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