River Love : The true story of a wayward Sheltie, a woman and a magical place called Rivershire
Sheldon’s Journey : The story of a sweet-natured dog in search of his true home
Based on the story of River Love for young readers.
River Love by Tricia Frey
Set on the banks of the Boardman River, just south of Traverse City, Michigan, River Love is a compelling memoir about a dog named Sheldon and his remarkable journey to his true home. Tricia Frey shares her deeply personal story, starting from the day she and her sister co-purchased the river property in 2005. The following spring, Tricia spotted the skittish, frightened little Sheltie she eventually named Sheldon. A shed was transformed into a house for Sheldon and a bond of love began. It took Tricia two years to establish the trust needed to touch him for the first time and eventually get him into her home on this special piece of land known as Rivershire.
Rivershire is a magical place, beckoning in lost souls in need of transformation and safe harbor. In this place, a wayward Sheltie finds his home, a stronger sisterhood emerges, and Tricia comes to trust and believe in herself once again through the love of a dog and the nurturing powers of nature.
Simply stated, River Love is a story of resilience, healing, redemption, and—most of all—love. With humor, grace, touching narrative, and an unforeseen turn of events, River Love will draw you in, never letting go of your heart.
Sheldon’s Journey by Tricia Frey
Sheldon—a sweet-natured dog with one eye colored blue, one colored brown, and a patch of dark fur in the shape of a heart—finds himself alone in the cold, white wilderness. So begins Sheldon’s journey in search of his true home. Along the way, Sheldon discovers many friends in nature who help guide him and some barnyard pals who want to share their barn with him. He also learns that someone is waiting for him.
Snickers the Cat and her human Twyla, who has love in her heart for all animals, live by a flowing river in the house made of wood and stone at a special place called Rivershire. They love each other very much but wish for a friend to live with them. Snickers and Twyla have room for more in their home and in their hearts. As they look out the window at the pine tree with a face in its bark they wonder … could it be the face of someone that wants to live with them, too?
Enhanced with tender watercolor illustrations, Sheldon’s Journey tells a tale of trust, friendship, courage, and—most of all—love. Sometimes, finding one’s true home takes a special journey.
“Rivershire is a magical place. One can almost see the gnomes, fairies, and nymphs resting in the tree branches, peeking from among the rocks, and frolicking in the shade of the flora. That land lured us in and at the time of our arrival, we had nary an inkling how its wonder and powers would change all our lives in significant ways in the years to come. That same power of attraction is what brought Sheldon to Rivershire. The pull was not of our making: call it divine intervention, the aligning of the planets, or simple fate. I have no exact word or phrase. None of us could have avoided the pull had we tried. We were metal, and Rivershire was our magnet.”
— Tricia Frey, River Love
River Love Media Mentions
Thank you for your interest in my memoir, River Love. This is one of my favorite pictures of Sheldon and me together, taken by our companion Bill as we completed a snowy walk at Brown Bridge Natural Area near Traverse City. You can read more about Sheldon, Rivershire, and me in these articles:
National Writers Series - Author Next Door
Capital University - Capital Stories
Photo Credit - Susan Vants, Lil Red’s Photography; Barbie Sterling; Matt Lower
