KIRKUS REVIEW
A cute, articulate dog named Lina is back for another round of dishing on life with her challenging human, Momma, in this sequel, credited to Little Big Ears (a.k.a. Lina) (Lina Unleashed, 2017).
Toy Australian shepherd Lina was adopted by Momma when she was eight weeks old. They’ve been together now for five years, dividing their time between lake-filled Minnesota and Marco Island, Florida—a cruel twist of fate for a pup who hates water. With a bit of human assistance, Lina records her adventures and misadventures on her blog, LinasDogBlog. This second series installment details two years of traumas, joys, and achievements, all communicated in the gently sassy voice of a wise, tiny canine. She describes Momma as “a hopeless shopaholic; she doesn’t know a hashtag from a dog tag; she has almost no social skills; and worst of all—she’s a Republican.” In March 2017, the duo is recuperating—Momma from a concussion sustained in Naples, Florida, which appears to be making her a bit scatterbrained, and Lina from the outcome of the 2016 election. For readers of the first book, there’s familiar terrain, including frequent, outrageously costly visits to the veterinarian, and the ordeal of trying to fit Lina’s carrier under an airplane seat. But there’s also new material, as when an incorrectly set house alarm sends Lina cowering under the bed: “Could this be the raid by ICE I had feared?” she asks readers. “Was this part of the new Trump roundup plan?” Overall, the author lightheartedly teases both sides of the political aisle, although some readers will take exception to Momma saying, “The term is not undocumented immigrant, Lina, it’s illegal alien.” Also, too many tales have to do with the marketing of Lina Unleashed, including book signings and the introduction of a line of notecards. Most are quite amusing, but their abundance turns an otherwise engaging sequel into a promotional tool for the original. That said, the full-color photos are consistently adorable, and in one particularly endearing vignette, the spunky 11-pound canine proudly receives her herding certificate after successfully chasing five grown sheep around an enclosed pasture.
An often entertaining romp for passionate dog lovers.