Incredibull Stella
Incredibull Stella
Incredibull Stella, by Marika Meeks and Elizabeth Ridley is a great book. It is well-written, and a testament to Meeks in her successful fight against cancer, and to the love she and Stella share. I admire Meeks and her dedication to fostering and helping re-home pit bulls. I think it’s wonderful that Stella helped not only the author, but also the author’s younger daughter. The book is full of love and hope and courage and should be a best seller.
I did not enjoy it. The first part of the book is intense and personal and as a result, I felt uncomfortable reading it. Being a stranger I had no right to know so much personal information. We’d barely been introduced and I’m being told too much too soon.
Stella’s arrival on the scene is a bit anti-climactic. I understand completely what Stella brought to Meeks and to her family. In reality, Stella is no more “incredible” than any dog. She does what dogs do. No matter what the breed. She offers comfort and love and asks for nothing in return.
I’m glad Meeks beat cancer and I’m thrilled that Stella gave her a goal to help other pit bulls find forever homes. I love happy endings. I just didn’t love the book.
| Title | Incredibull Stella: How the Love of a Pit Bull Rescued a Family |
| Authors | Marika Meeks, Elizabeth Ridley |
| Contributor | Elizabeth Ridley |
| Edition | illustrated |
| Publisher | Kensington Publishing Corporation, 2019 |
| ISBN | 0806539461, 9780806539461 |
| Length | 256 pages |
Review by
Susan M. Ewing
Award-winning author, 14 animal books
“Cats! Train Your Owner” (Flash Cards)
Numerous magazine articles
Pet columnist
About the author (2019)
Marika Meeks was born in England and emigrated to the United States with her family at age six. A lifelong entrepreneur, she started her first business at the age of nineteen. She went on to become the co-owner of a national software company. In January 2013, Marika was diagnosed with stage-three breast cancer. She traveled to Scottsdale, Arizona, in April 2015 for cancer treatment and ended up settling in Arizona with her family. Marika is devoted to sharing the story of how Stella has changed her life by helping as many people and animals as possible. Visit Marika and Stella on Facebook, on Instagram @incredibullstella, or at incredibullstella.com.
Elizabeth Ridley is the author of five novels and co-author of four memoirs. Including Saving Sadie: How a Dog That No One Wanted Inspired the World (with Joal Derse Dauer). She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University and a master’s degree in creative writing from The University of East Anglia in Norwich, England. She is a proud “cat mom” to Claudius and Calpurnia and lives in Wisconsin. Visit her on Facebook or at elizabethridley.com.
