Sanctuary - by Patrick Barrett & Susy Flory (Paperback)

About the Book

"For decades, his family rescued lost and forgotten donkeys in the Irish countryside. He had no idea that one day, the donkeys would rescue him. Patrick Barrett grew up on the back of a donkey. In the small village of Liscarroll, he befriended the abandoned and abused donkeys his family cared for in their animal sanctuary. He became a true donkey whisperer -- communicating with them in ways they could understand and teaching himself how to speak in their distinctive calls. But Patrick's life took an unexpected turn. He shipped out with the Irish Army and encountered unimaginable wartime horrors in Lebanon and Kosovo. In the aftermath, he returned home a broken man, sinking into the depths of PTSD and addictions. He believed nothing could save him -- but he hadn't counted on God or the donkeys. Sanctuary is the remarkable true story of how faith turned one lost man's life around with the help of the rescue animals who love him"--Back cover.

Book Synopsis

For decades, his family rescued lost and forgotten donkeys in the Irish countryside.
He had no idea that one day, the donkeys would rescue him.

Patrick Barrett grew up on the back of a donkey. In the small village of Liscarroll, the young boy helped his family run a sanctuary for abandoned and abused donkeys. Struggling in school, Patrick only felt truly accepted in the presence of these funny, fuzzy, touching animals. It was like magic, how he and the donkeys understood each other. He became a true "donkey whisperer"--reading their body language, communicating with them in ways they could understand, and teaching himself how to "speak" in their distinctive calls.

But when Patrick was of age, he shipped out with the Irish Army and encountered unimaginable wartime horrors in Lebanon and Kosovo. In the aftermath, he returned home a broken man, sinking into the depths of PTSD and addictions. He believed nothing could save him. But he hadn't counted on the donkeys.

Sanctuary is the remarkable true story of how faith turned one lost man's life around with the help of the rescue animals who loved him. It's an antidote to despair and a call to hope, revealing the beauty and wonder of Ireland as you've never seen it before.

From the Back Cover

One night I walked out the back door and made my way through the damp, dark fields. I could hear the donkeys munching inside the barn as I passed by.

Years ago, Dad had fenced off the rock and created a space for donkeys with a walkway around it. I followed that fence now. I couldn't see the rock to my left or the castle below to my right, but I knew they were there.

My breathing started to speed up as I walked. My anxiety and pain were building again, even here in my favorite place, my most sacred place. If I couldn't find peace here, where would I ever find it?

At the end of the walk I stopped, leaned forward, and rested my hands on the fence. I closed my eyes and gripped the railing.

"I need help."

I took a deep breath, and with the rock at my back and the ancient castle in front of me, I breathed out the words again.

"Are you there, God? I need help. I need you to prove yourself to me!"

My heart and soul and everything inside me that still had some life and energy screamed out silently under those stars.

"If you're here, help me! I don't know how much longer I can last."

A prodigal story beautifully set in the enchanting landscape of Ireland, Sanctuary will offer hope for anyone who feels lost and dreams of finding the way back home.

Review Quotes

Barrett debuts with an introspective account of how his return to his family's donkey sanctuary in Liscarroll, Ireland, helped him heal from PTSD and alcoholism. . . . Though repetitive at times, Barrett's endearing narration, vulnerability, and candor showcase the power of persistent love--from animals and people--in the face of adversity. This is a touching story of faith and recovery.--Publishers Weekly