Here are some of the lovely things people have said about Ladoo and the book:

Aneeta’s dedication to and love for Ladoo tells us what we know in our hearts to be true, but often take for granted. Like a mother’s hug, her work is warm and endearing. Thank you Aneeta, thank you Ladoo – G. Rajasingam

When I first saw Ladoo and Aneeta together, I was reminded of what Sir Walter Scott once wrote: ‘The desire for offspring is deeply implanted in the female breast.’ I’ve watched Ladoo grow into a lovely girl and, yes, save for talking, she might as well have been human. … To paraphrase Lord Byron: ‘Ladoo has already mingled with the gods.’ … Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Azlanii Dr. M. Mahadevan

… Starting with a short definition of ‘dachshund’, the author moves to endear Ladoo to us. We are shown Ladoo as she grows up, in her various moods. We laugh and are amused at the various aspects of Ladoo so realistically shared with us. Aneeta takes us on a journey of a life and, finally, we cry with her through Ladoo’s illness and ultimate passing. … Anyone who has enjoyed the companionship of the four-legged will be able to empathise and walk through the author’s experiences as we discover the unconditional love of our pets and depths to ourselves which we may not otherwise have explored. … Toh Puan Umasundari Sambanthan

This is a touching love story between a woman and a dog. It is no ordinary love. It’s a mother’s love – pure and undefiled. The law of attraction prevailed at the first encounter itself between the two – commonly termed as ‘love at first sight’. … The feelings expressed by the writer, her choice of words at every traumatic situation at every turn of the development in the dog’s life and how she managed to find the solutions, some of which were painful decisions, can kindle the emotions of even the steeled mind. …. Datin Paduka Mother A Mangalam

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The author shows a tremendous love for Ladoo that is infectious and draws the reader into the story. Author smartly includes a great collection of well-researched facts about dachshunds as a breed, adding a great fascination to the book. Well done. Dog-lovers will admire the effort put into sharing the history of this type of dog.

We get a nice balance of excitement and tension when she seeks to get a dog, breaking the rules of her flat in the process. She’s determined and passionate, and while we worry about her getting caught, we understand the connection to Ladoo and the soul desire to have a dog. Well done. Nicely crafted.

Watch out for periods of telling, rather than showing through sensory details and movement. There are some strings of minutiae like ‘My telephone rang. I rose to my feet and went to pick it up. It was my mother. This was the gist of our conversation.’ This is not as engaging as using sensory details, such as feeling the vibration of the telephone on the floorboards, or a physical reaction such as dread when she hears her mother’s voice. Add experientials to action or plot scenes to create moments for the reader to experience. For instance, when she pets Ladoo, what does the fur feel like? What is Ladoo’s expression? That’s what dog-loving readers know and want to feel from this story.

Watch out for typos and misspellings that distract the reader from the book as well. We’re immersed in the story, wanting to know more about the author’s connection with the dog, and when typos occur, it pulls us away from the heart of the book.

The ending coverage of Ladoo’s passing is sad because we know a pet’s loss is sad, but I would have liked to know more about the physical and emotional experience of the author’s loss in some revelatory and unique way. A good story…just needs to go a bit deeper with experientials.

Judge, 3rd Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published eBook Awards.

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Thank you for your support and I have no doubt that Ladoo will be wagging her tail, joyous in the knowledge that everyone’s reading about her!

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Ladoo Dog: Tales of a Sweet Dachshund in the news
Article in the newspapers: No petty affair

Here are reviews we’ve received for this book:

• A book for every dog lover – review by Susan Keefe