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Carole Ryder

The dog that inspired the novel

Glynn’s story

What do you do when a much-loved dog becomes dangerously uncontrollable?

A farmer in Wales had the answer.

Carole Ryder’s father with police dog Glynn
By kind permission of The Liverpool Echo.

Glynn, a beautiful German Shepherd, began life as an adorable puppy on a farm in Sarn, Wales. As he grew, however, he became dangerous around sheep. The farmer loved Glynn too deeply to have him destroyed, so he made a life-changing decision. Believing there would be no sheep to tempt him in Liverpool, he gave Glynn to the Liverpool City Police Dog Section.

He became the best police dog my father trained. They formed a close bond and became a formidable team searching for lost children and dangerous criminals. Glynn took part in numerous murder hunts. In a remarkable twist of fate, one of those investigations took Glynn back to Wales, to the hills around Machynlleth, after a police officer had been shot. This time, the sheep were perfectly safe, and Glynn was using the very instincts that had once made him unsuitable for farm life to protect people.

Yet for all his bravery as a police dog, Glynn’s greatest gift was the love he brought to our family. At home he was gentle, devoted and unforgettable. His journey from a farm dog facing an uncertain future to a skilled police dog who saved lives and caught criminals has stayed with me ever since.

Young Carole Ryder celebrating with Glynn
Glynn at home with Carole.

A story of second chances

Glynn’s story of second chances, loyalty and redemption inspired my novel about a German Shepherd dog in Los Angeles who faces the threat of euthanasia.

Sometimes all it takes is one person willing to believe in a dog that others have given up on.

Get in touch

Carole would love to hear from readers and is available for author talks, book events and interviews about Unleashed in LA, writing, reinvention and the real story of Glynn.