I can’t resist a dog story, especially a story inspired by a real-life rescue dog (pictured above). After reading Miriam Halahmy’s middle grade novel RIP TO THE RESCUE, I’m REALLY hoping it is made into a film series.
Set during the London Blitz of WWII, the story centers on a brave messenger boy and his dog who rescues people from the rubble of bombed-out buildings. Halahmy’s characters are so life-like, I felt like I was read-watching a good historical BBC drama. (I think I’ve seen every one there is to see.) The historical information threaded throughout the story imparts a deep and profound understanding of what it must have been like to live through the Blitz.
Rip, a real-life terrier-mix, was awarded the Dicken award for bravery in 1945 for rescuing over 100 people. Unbelievably, he was a stray dog found in the Poplar area of London (yes, think CALL THE MIDWIFE). Adopted as a mascot by an air raid patrol crew, Rip was soon using his sniffing abilities to save lives. He was never trained for search and rescue before he began. He did it instinctually. But his legacy inspired the training of future search and rescue dogs. Thanks, Rip, for your incredible bravery, loyalty, and love. And thanks, Miriam Halahmy, for sharing an incredible story with the world.