What did you think of Junia the mule and Tommie the rooster? Are you aware of other animals that have been known to protect their people?

Dogs are well-known for their protective instincts, but in this book, Junia the mule and Tommie the rooster protect Honey and Wrenna. What did you think of these characters? Are you aware of other animals that have been known to protect their people?

The animals were so important to the lives of their owners, not just for being protective but also for companionship (especially Junia) when their owners lived in isolated locations. I was rooting for them in every encounter, and they came through every time.

Junia was one of the main "characters" in both novels - and played a huge, important role in the stories - and was a "best friend" and loyal companion first to Honey's mother in the first novel then to Honey in this novel - although Honey lived on a learning curve with dear Junia learning how to fully gain Junia's trust and loyalty as her mother had. Junia was most protective of both women and taught then to be more cautious in their daily journeys.

I felt thaT Junia and Ronnie were main characters in their own right. I have no experience with either animal and learned a good bit about them. I found Junia particularly entertaining.

Junia and Tommie added a great deal to my pleasure in the book, but from what little I know of roosters and mules, these two are believable only in the context of the story. I do find the goriness of Tommie’s attack on Perry Gillis perfectly believable, reminding me of newspaper accounts of cock fights. And I agree with earlier comments about the importance of both animals as companions and support for their mistresses both of whose lives brought them into situations of loneliness and danger.

I was familiar with the author's characterization of Junia the mule, and really enjoyed the addition of the protective rooster - imaginative and effective.

Oh, how I love Junia. There is so much in this book about the connection we have to the natural world. I feel as if nature is another character in this work. The descriptions of Kentucky, the forests, the pines, the earth, the silence, and the solitude show us what the world was designed to be. Junia furthers this connection in the ability to understand instinctively when danger is present and who, among the humans, represents a threat. Tom the rooster, too, is a fierce defender of what is good.

I found the story and description of Junia hilarious as I grew up in a small town on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. When I was young we had a tom turkey named Thorton who became a watch dog on our property. We had numerous people who stopped by when we were not home tell us that they could not get out of their car because of Thorton! I know from being around a lot of farm animals that is it not only dogs that can be very loyal and protective.

I think both animals were vital to the story. Strong animal/human connections are well documented with some of the most significant examples being between humans and their service animals. To me, both animals also served as projections of the needs of the human with whom they had relationships, filling a need that was essential both to the human and the story.

I enjoyed both Junia and Tommie. We were introduced to Junia in the first book. The mule was loyal and protective of Honey's mother in the first book. It took a while for Junia to become as affectionate and protective of Honey. I loved the connection of the animals with their owners. Before reading these books, I had not realized mules and roosters could develop such close bonds with humans.

They were a highlight to the story.

It is usually a dog that one finds has protected their human. However there are stories of other pets also doing it. I thought Junia was relevant to the story and Tommie was just an added enjoyment.

I loved Junia. That girl knew her own mind and was a better judge of character than anyone in either book. Tommy was the only friend his owner had and his loyalty was unquestionable. Anyone who has had a devoted dog knows that the animal will protect his owner/family.