Morris and Buddy: The Story of the First Seeing Eye Dog

By Becky Hall and Doris Ettlinger

2008 Best Children's Books of the Year, Bank Street College

Morris Frank lost his sight in 1924, when he was only sixteen. One day, Morris's dad read him an article about an American dog trainer living in Switzerland. This is the story of his relationship with Buddy, his own seeing eye dog.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
• Release date: Jan 1, 2007
• ISBN: 9780807552865

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Reviews for Morris and Buddy

[aengolia-414725 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This story is about a man named Morris who was blind. His dad read an article in the newspaper about a lady in Switzerland who trained German shepherds to guide humans. He travels there, gets his dog, and extensively trains him to be guide around life. I believe this book gives people inspiration when it comes to facing a lifelong battle. The message is to never give up and settle. He was not satisfied to not live a normal life just because of his blindness. It shows readers that even against all odds, anything is possible.

[slbenne1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Frank Morris wants to live a fulfilled life. After losing what was left of his eyesight in a boxing batch, Morris finds himself missing out on life, or spending it alone and waiting to be assisted. When he hears of Dorothy Eustis' work in Switzerland, he travels thousands of miles to get there. Once he arrives, he is introduced to Kiss, his guide dog, who he eventually names Buddy. Although Morris initially struggles with the uncertainty of trusting Buddy, he realizes she will not him down, and he eventually lets his guard down. When he returns to America, he works to gain rights for the blind, and successfully shows the world how amazing guide dogs truly are. Without Buddy, Morris' life would have been much different. Because of Buddy, people who are blind now have a much different, brighter future.

[meblack19 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a great little story that gives life to a topic we don't know much about from a historical perspective, the story of the first seeing eye dog. The simple text is more geared for younger audiences, but the story is interesting nonetheless. The pictures portray the events in the story and add visuals to the text, which explains more from a blind person's point of view. It's descriptive in a way that a blind person would describe something; it's based on touch, which I loved, since it's about a blind man named Morris who gets his chance at living independently through a seeing eye dog named Buddy. Morris and Buddy became the first seeing eye team in the United States and they fought for rights for handicapped people. Morris also opened a dog training school in the US, where he helped thousands of people get a seeing eye dog and become more independent. It's an uplifting story that most students would enjoy, especially for the new perspective.

[sjoachim-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book about the first seeing eye dog, and how Morris Frank started a guide dog school in Nashville. It was an inspirational book that I truly enjoyed reading. It really proves the point that where there is a will, there is a way.

[lindseyb12 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I chose this book because while on my honeymoon in Hawaii, my husband and I saw a man using a seeing-eye dog. While I've seen people walking with these dogs before, I have never seen beyond that in person. This dog brought the man down the sidewalk to the crosswalk and stopped. He waited to make sure no cars were passing and started to walk. A car turned into the parking lot and the dog stopped again and waited for the car to pass before continuing to walk again. The dog then led the man to a stair case and positioned himself in the perfect spot for the man to comfortably grab on to the railing. I was amazed. When brousing the books, I saw this and was very eager to read it. This book discusses the very first seeing-eye dog. It's really a touching story and has even more meaning because of my experience.

[awoodham93 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Morris was blinded in a boxing accident at sixteen. Suddenly, Morris' world was dark and alone. Morris hated how he always had to rely on others to navigate around. Morris also had an uneasy, timid walk, and was constantly afraid he would hurt himself. One day, Morris' dad read him an article about a woman who claimed to have trained a "seeing eye dog" in Switzerland. Morris contacted the woman, and pleaded for her help. In return, Morris promised to set up a seeing eye dog school in America. Morris went to stay with the woman and her dog trainer. For weeks Morris and his dog, Buddy, spent every day together to bond. Later, the two began their training. Eventually, Morris and Buddy were able to put their full trust within one another. Now, Morris could walk with confidence, and make trips all alone. When Morris returned with Buddy to America, he focused on getting possitive media attention, and making it acceptable to have dogs in public places. Morris started up his school, and the school has sense then provided training for 14,000 blind individuals and their seeing eye dogs. Morris made it possible for blind people in America to gain confidence, freedom, and joy in life through their seeing eye dogs.

[akrause_22 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Morris Frank wasn't always completely blind. A childhood accident left him permanently in the dark to the world he used to know and love. When he was twenty years old, he was sent to Switzerland to meet Dorothy Eustis and Jack Humphrey; famous dog trainers for people who are blind. There he was introduced to a German shepherd named Buddy, who would eventually be his "seeing-eye." This story is all about the struggles Morris faced as he learned to be a companion to Buddy and to trust her. The reader can see how Morris and Buddy overcame every obstacle thrown their way and how they opend the doors for seeing-eye dogs to be used in the United States. This is a great book for children about determination and trust.

[mdonley_6 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A very interesting look at the history of the seeing eye dog. A story of a man and his dog and the special unique relationship they had. A true testament to the old saying "A dog is a man's best friend".

[nnicolic_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Frank Morris became blind when he was 16 in a boxing match. He refused to let his blindness hold him back from the world, he didn't want blind people jobs, he wanted to live a normal life. He went to college in Nashville. On his way back from college, he picked up a paper with an article in it that talked about a women who raised dogs for the men who became blind in WWI. He wrote a letter to Mrs. Eustis, and she invited him to Switzerland. The first dog Morris was introduced to was Kiss; Morris didn't like that name, so he named her Buddy. Mrs. Eustis taught Morris how to work with a seeing eye dog, and Morris no longer had to wait for someone to come with him to places, he could take Buddy with him everywhere. I really enjoyed this book, especially the real life pictures of Morris and Buddy in the back of the book. Who knew dogs could be so smart! Great book!

[abbylibrarian_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Morris Frank was blinded at the age of 16. Before the advent of seeing-eye dogs, he relied on paid helpers or family members to take him where he needed to go. He had no real independence. Many blind people at this time made brooms or wove baskets, but Morris wanted more out of life. He wanted a real job and his independence. When his father read an article about dogs being trained to help blind war veterans in Europe, Morris knew he had to go. Even though he was shipped like baggage over to Europe, Morris made it and he worked hard to train with the first seeing-eye dog. Eventually, Morris brought Buddy back to the United States and spread the seeing-eye dog program. Today The Seeing Eye has placed more than fourteen thousand dogs. This was an interesting read because I didn't know anything about the topic, but I was left wanting more. The text is pretty short and accompanied by illustrations. There is a section at the end that contains photographs of Morris and Buddy and other seeing-eye dogs and trainers. A bibliography is included. This would make a good overview for an interested kid and would appeal to animal lovers. It's short enough to appeal to reluctant readers if they have an interest in the topic.