All That I'm Allowed

By Ellen Harper

All That I'm Allowed by Ellen Harper, with beautiful drawings by Marguerite Millard, is a storybook for grownups about learning to live with children and dogs. In this regard most grown people set out to do what's best for them, to be good examples, trusted companions to dog and child. But often times the lessons we think we are getting across are interpreted very differently by the receivers. All That I'm Allowed is not only a make-believe romp through these poignant and often funny misinterpretations, but it is also a social commentary on coming to grips with a rapidly changing society and how we attempt to make sense of it all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bamboo Dart Press
• Release date: Mar 12, 2024
• ISBN: 9781947240964

Book preview

Elton, The Night Visitor

I’m so excited! Me—my name is Honoré, because, my mother said it was an honor to give birth to me—and my big brother Mason get to stay up late because we are getting our new dog. Mommy’s assistant is driving home with him from Northern California tonight! I can’t wait!

He is a very special dog, Mommy says, because he was trained to help blind people. Daddy said he’s special all right; he flunked out of guide dog school.

Here he is! I scream. We dash out to meet Elton, a big yellow Labrador retriever. Oh, he’s glad to meet us! He jumps all over us, we roll and tumble in the grass, he licks our faces and we all run in circles.

Enough, says Mommy.

Enough, says Daddy.

But Elton jumps on Mommy, jumps on Daddy, jumps on Mommy’s assistant and pees on the azaleas.

The way I see it, says Mason, he should have stayed in school.

The way I see it, says Daddy, I saved some blind person’s life.

Elton Goes To Mommy’s Birthday Party

Make sure the damn dog stays out! shouts Nana. Keep the damn patio doors closed! yells Nana. Nana bought a sheet cake to serve eighteen people. It is a very special, gluten free, vegan chocolate cake made from almond flour for Mommy’s forty-fifth birthday party.

Well you can guess what happened. Someone, it wasn’t me, left the patio doors open and Elton snuck in and ate the whole cake. Mommy catches him with both his front feet on the table finishing up the last crumbs, just before he starts throwing up and acting weird. Mommy and Nana rush him to the vet who says he is having a bad reaction to the chocolate.

The vet has to pump his