Incredible Kratu: The happy-go-lucky rescue dog who changed his owner's life

(Hardback)

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'An inspirational story that is told with humour, candour and humility that I am sure will offer hope to others who also struggle with their mental health' - Mark Winstanley, Chief Executive, Rethink Mental Illness

Incredible Kratu tells the story of the lovable rascal from Crufts who became the peoples' champion worldwide and, in so doing, healed his owner's heart.


A solitary child who only really found solace in nature, Tess Eagle Swan ran away from home aged sixteen and, by her late twenties, had already survived violence and drug addiction. In the following decade, life spiralled further out of control. Something had to change.


Tess had always loved animals, so when she saw a post on Facebook about the plight of two dogs in Romania, she was moved to take action, helping find homes for both. It was the first step on the road that led her to Kratu - the Carpathian/Mioritic Shepherd cross she adopted in 2014. From his humble beginnings on a Roma camp in Transylvania, Kratu has gone on to become a canine international treasure. Now a trained assistance and therapy dog, he has brought joy to millions with his lovable antics - not least with his legendary appearances at Crufts. But the role he has played in Tess's story is more compelling still. After a lifetime of distress, Tess and Kratu's bond allowed Tess to finally learn to love herself and answer some of the questions behind her troubled beginnings.


Incredible Kratu is the inspirational true story of this unlikely pair, who found in each other the love and support they needed to beat the odds and turn both their lives around.

Reviews

Kratu is such a big personality it's quite amazing he can fit inside a book. It's also hard to believe he was ever small and vulnerable, but Tess saved him and he saves her, too. However, neither could be relied on to blindly follow pointless rules. When Kratu went rogue in the big ring at Crufts he showed the world that different is often very much better. This is a book for anyone who has ever thought they didn't quite fit in -- Beverley Cuddy * Dogs Today Magazine *
An uplifting and inspirational story about how one life-changing bond saved two souls. Perfect for dog-lovers and those on their healing journey * Happiful mag *
Laugh... cry... learn. An astonishing book: by turns emotional, funny, eye-opening. A moving story of how two souls that knew so much suffering found each other and became a force for good. Very thought provoking and ultimately uplifting, not just for dog lovers but for anyone with a heart. It's a five star book in all possible ways -- Ann Green, Chief reporter * Psychic News Magazine *
You won't want to miss Incredible Kratu, Tess Eagle Swan's book about her fascinating journey with this very special dog. I love how she has honoured who he is as an individual, delights in his entertaining assertions of his own personality, and gives him agency whenever possible. As if the story isn't compelling enough, the excellent writing keeps the reader turning the pages. Anyone who loves dogs will love this book. Highly recommended. -- Ris VanFleet, PhD, CDBC Author, The Human Half of Dog Training

Author Bio

Tess Eagle Swan was raised in a small Hertfordshire village. Tess found her life full of challenges but she eventually found the inner strength to leave her chaotic London lifestyle and go to Peru, where, after learning about the ancient healing cultures, she set out on a path which would lead her to Kratu.

Tess had always struggled with communication but it wasn't until she was fifty-four that, with Kratu by her side, she was formally diagnosed with ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder). For the past nine years, Tess has devoted her life to training Kratu, and her other dogs whilst also raising awareness of animal welfare issues and autism-related causes. She supports the cross-parliamentary group APDAWG and her and Kratu are ambassadors for Anna Kennedy online, an autism charity.


Lynne Barrett-Lee was born and raised in London and is now based in Cardiff, Wales. She has been a full time author since the mid-1990s and has ten novels to her name, as well as two guides to writing fiction, which she teaches in her spare time. She has been the ghostwriter behind many non-fiction memoirs including the bestselling Fabulous Finn.