3.5 stars

Simon was a donkey close to death in a tiny enclosure with no shelter when he was rescued. Jon Katz had a small farm and offered to take Simon in and, along with his wife, bring Simon back to health and happiness. Jon indicates in this book that he also benefitted from having Simon, learning about compassion along the way.

I really liked the parts about Simon and the other animals on Jon’s farm (and neighbouring animals, particularly the 101-year old’s elderly blind pony, Rocky). When he philosophized about compassion, though, I didn’t agree with him. Yes, I am more compassionate toward animals than (some) people; I feel like animals are more like kids or babies, in that they are dependent on humans and aren’t always able to change their circumstances, whereas humans are more likely to be able to have the power to do that for themselves (or they can ask for help). He doesn’t address this when he insists that we should still be compassionate towards the humans who abuse animals. He did tend to repeat himself at times, though I think that’s a small thing. The stories about the animals were great, though, and that really was the bulk of the book. ( )

This book was a mixed bag for me. There were times it felt repetitive and times the author seemed to contradict himself. His message seemed to be: donkeys are oppressed by humans, donkeys are intuitive, donkeys are spirit animals, donkeys sense what we need, donkeys can connect with humans who need healing. And on the other hand: animals are just animals - they are not good or bad. They just do what they do. The part of the book that I loved was the author's journey toward understanding compassion and mercy. That there are so many people who have compassion for animals while having no mercy for humans who screw up. The story itself was a simple one - man rescues donkey, donkey heals, man learns stuff from having donkey, and man figures out a little bit more about life in the process.

Quote: "He reminded me that mercy and compassion are not only for good people, but also for people who horrify us, upset us, and challenge our notions of humanity. He softened me and my sense of judgment, of righteousness." ( )

nonfiction (animal rescue/donkeys). I generally like Jon Katz, but this feels like filler. ( )

This is a charming book about a man who rescues a donkey from a deplorable situation, and the effect that rescue and the donkey have on him over time. Thanks, Mom! ( )

Review: Saving Simon by Jon Katz.

Jon Katz always writes with compassion. He has always loved animals and believes when they lived in harsh condition that they get on with life despite what they’ve been through and they are most able to trust and love again. It was a difficult story about a donkey, named Simon lived so close to death when he was found laying in feces and mud, barely alive behind a shed not even being watered or fed. Well, Jon and Maria didn’t hesitate to bring Simon home to their farm. The owner said he never wanted the donkey and that he came to him through a horse deal and he couldn’t afford to feed him.

The telling of Simon’s story will make animal lovers mad at the mistreatment he endured. Simon couldn’t even walk when Jon took him. It was a slow process to keep Simon alive and his story of determination took the reader on a journey no animal should have to grow through.

There was a passage in the book that was touching: “And again, there was Simon’s spirit in my head. I can’t speak for what’s inside of his genial consciousness, but I can speak to what was inside of mine. From the first, I was stuck by what I saw as the great trait of acceptance in Simon. People always spoke of him as being abused, rescued, or neglected but I saw no sign That Simon thought of himself in that way. Simon immediately got down to the basics of life---eating, walking, pursuing the girls, getting his ration of carrots and apples, getting brushed and fussed over.” ( )