Animals have the capacity to change the course of people's lives. Horse trainer and author Naomi McDonald's moving memoir Away To Me, My Love perfectly demonstrates the above adage. After a childhood spent in parental neglect, Naomi found joy and love in the company of animals. Circumstances bring her to adopt a shy Border Collie named Luke, who was on the verge of being put down. But despite the efforts of the best trainers, Luke shows no interest in herding sheep. As Naomi and Luke attend a string of herding competitions, Naomi unwittingly finds herself against an unwanted nemesis who takes joy in bringing her down. She also develops a connection with Luke that she believes lasts beyond their current lifetime. But will she ever get over the insecurities that threaten to separate her from Luke?

Author Naomi McDonald showcases the powerful bond that exists between a person and their pet through this heartwarming autobiographical tale. Away To Me, My Love pulls at your heartstrings and leaves you with a sense of emotional resonance that puts warmth in your soul. Naomi and Luke's story begins unpredictably, with Luke showing little to no instincts for herding sheep. But it doesn't take long for them to become an inseparable pair who live to raise each other's spirits. As someone who grew up with pets, Naomi and Luke's relationship felt very relatable, and I found myself immersed in the pages. If you love animals, Away To Me, My Love is a book you will thoroughly enjoy.

Away To Me, My Love: A Sheepdog's Tale of Two Lives by Naomi McDonald is a captivating memoir that tells the story of the author’s spiritual journey. When Naomi’s friend Ellie invited her to attend a sheep herding fair, she vowed that she would own a herding dog one day. Years later, she impulsively buys a nine-month-old border collie named Luke. A busy horse trainer, Naomi is told that Luke still has to be trained, and he may not have the herding instinct. She enters the world of herding competitions and finds herself on a mystical journey that will change her life forever. She ultimately finds out that having Luke in her life helps her face the pain of her past and look forward to a life of happiness.

Naomi McDonald’s Away To Me, My Love is an enlightening read. It is about the process of going beyond one's boundaries and taking the next evolutionary step. For Naomi, it began when she decided to buy a black and white border collie. McDonald writes in the first-person perspective and shares her authentic and intimate story. I found the discussion on indigenous culture and the Medicine Cards particularly interesting. This is a book that simultaneously invites you into a conversation of spiritual living and growth. What makes it more fascinating is the special relationship between Naomi and Luke. This is not just the author's spiritual journey but will inspire anyone reading this book, as well as anyone who has ever loved and learned from sharing a life with a dog.

Away to Me, My Love: A Sheepdog's Tale of Two Lives is the true story of Naomi McDonald, a shepherd with a unique connection with her dog, Luke. Naomi had always dreamed of having a dog. Having pets was the only thing that excited her during her childhood. Without thinking, she bought a border collie pup named Luke. At first, the puppy did not demonstrate that it could be a herder, and she was advised to drop him. Naomi had a strong desire to be a successful herder, but everything she tried seemed to go wrong. Naomi's experiences of childhood trauma had a major influence on the decisions she made. However, she gets help from a medicine woman, starts her spiritual journey, and practices shamanic healing. Naomi realized that there was so much more to her relationship with Luke.

Away to Me, My Love is an attention-grabbing book, entertaining and filled with detailed descriptions of the sheepherding world. It examines the challenges, highs, and lows of herding and gives readers a sneak peek into its workings. I've read about animal communication before, but most of it was fiction. I wasn't convinced that it was real. This book changed my view of the concept, as it was personal, unfiltered, and honest. I now believe that communication with animals can be real, and I'm interested in reading further about it. Naomi McDonald has a way of communicating her emotions using language that the reader will understand. I enjoyed reading this book, and I'm confident that people who love animals will find this book interesting.

Growing up, Naomi McDonald had a dream that she would one day have her very own dog which she would enter in herding competitions. As an adult running a ranch with her husband, she could convince herself that she hadn't done badly, but that one item on her wish list was still far from becoming a reality. One day everything changed. During a visit to the veterinarian, she is inexplicably drawn to a shy border collie which she buys, despite her friends and family warning against it. The journey of a lifetime begins with her beautiful dog whom she names Luke teaching her that the bonds between humans and canines go far beyond the physical or emotional attachments that cannot always be rationally explained. Away To Me, My Love is her unique story.

Naomi McDonald tells her story like a natural, giving vivid descriptions as she recalls her progress as she attempts to train Luke. Her story is quite interesting when you take the time to follow the details surrounding her childhood trauma. The different individuals who played important roles in their lives as Luke develops are also discussed in detail, painting a clear picture of a truly unusual bond. Seeing Naomi finally standing up to Bart was a welcome experience. Having gone through similar issues in my life, I felt instantly connected to her defiance and determination. Away To Me, My Love is an emotional book that connects with a reader on several levels and is a lovely work in its own right.