A Dog Called Endal

The remarkable story of Endal and how, through his remarkable skills, companionship and unstinting devotion, he gave Allen Parton a reason to live again.

Allen Parton suffered a serious head injury while serving in the Gulf War and returned home unable to walk, talk or remember most of his life. He couldn’t even remember his wife Sandra or their two children. After five years of intensive therapy and rehabilitation, he was still severely disabled and unable to talk. He was also angry and bitter at the hand life had dealt him.

Sandra was a nurse so thought she would be able to help her husband, but the Allen who returned wasn’t the man she knew. Determined to be strong, Sandra knew she would have to fight to keep her family together. And then Allen had a chance encounter with Endal – a Labrador puppy who had failed his training as an assistance dog.

Endal had problems of his own until he ‘adopted’ Allen and Sandra, and finally gave Allen the ability to start living again. This is the incredible story of Allen, his wife Sandra, and the amazing dog that changed their world and gave them back their family.

Reviews

‘Endal is a true dog hero: kind, intelligent, incredibly resourceful, very funny and utterly devoted to his master Allen Parton […] this is one of the great uplifting dog stories.’
Jilly Cooper

'Heartbreaking'
Daily Mail

'The pointy heads at the Admirality should read this, hang their heads in shame – then get a dog.'
Daily Mail

About the author

Allen Parton was serving in the Gulf War when an accident robbed him of the use of his legs and half of his long-term and short-term memory. After 5 years in hospital, he was still unable to walk, talk, read or write. It was only when he was partnered up with his Canine Partner, Endal, that he found the strength to learn to communicate with the world again. As his aide with everyday tasks, Endal allows Allen to lead an independent life. Endal has been given many awards, including the PDSA Gold Award and Dog of the Millenium award. Allen and Endal currently work with a number of animal and disability charities.