The Tale of Bravo and Smoke

The Tale of Bravo and Smoke

When Bravo, a loyal dog who happens to be blind, is cast aside by the family he trusts, his world becomes uncertain and frightening. Smoke, once a famous Persian cat, is discarded just as quickly when she no longer fits the idea of “perfect.” Abandoned at a disused gas works, the two unlikely companions meet by chance—and discover that friendship can begin even in the loneliest places.

As they learn to navigate the world together, Bravo and Smoke rely on each other’s strengths. Where one struggles, the other leads. Their bond grows stronger through adversity, bringing moments of warmth and humour alongside real challenges. Along the way, they meet new friends, including Eliza Stubbornly, a kind widow in need of help, and eventually Adrian, a young autistic boy who understands what it feels like to be different and misunderstood.

When danger threatens the home they’ve come to love, Bravo and Smoke prove that courage and loyalty have nothing to do with perfection. Their journey becomes not only a story of survival, but one of resilience, acceptance and compassion.

The Tale of Bravo and Smoke is a heartfelt children’s story about a blind dog, a three-legged cat and an autistic boy who find strength in one another. Exploring themes of friendship in adversity, kindness, disability, and belonging, this moving tale gently reminds readers that love can grow where it is least expected—and that being different can be a gift.

Discover the story of Bravo and Smoke and share a tale that celebrates friendship, understanding and the power of standing together.

Excerpt from the book

A sad and sorry story of rejection

Porky Paul climbed down from his bike, lifted Bravo out of the bag, looked around to make sure that nobody was watching and dropped him over the fence. He then got back on his bike and rode off back home.

Bravo landed safely on his feet but had no idea where he was. He did not know what he was supposed to do or where he was supposed to go.

Standing where he had been dropped, Bravo listened and sniffed, turning his head this way and that, trying to make sense of his situation.

‘Hello,’ a voice behind him said.

He turned around, nose held high, wondering who had spoken to him, trying to locate the source of the voice.

It was a friendly voice, he thought, but it was not a voice he had heard before.

The speaker, a cat, looked at Bravo in some amazement as his head turned this way and that.

‘I’m here, can’t you see me? I’m not invisible.’

‘No, no, I can’t see anything.’

‘You can’t see anything? Are you blind?’ the cat asked kindly.

‘Yes, I’m blind. I always have been. I have never seen anything.’

‘Oh dear, I’m sorry,’ said the cat.

Bravo was a handsome young cocker spaniel, a well-mannered, lovely, loyal dog who only wanted to be loved for what he was: a young dog who was blind.

All puppies are born blind and deaf, but these senses develop as a puppy grows and thrives. After five or six weeks, most puppies can usually see and hear; however, whilst Bravo had very good—in fact, excellent—hearing, his sight never developed.

Nevertheless, despite his blindness, Bravo was ever happy, ever friendly and always pleased to greet you, tail wagging wildly.

He was the youngest, and the smallest, of eight puppies born to his mother, Poppy, whilst the eldest and largest of the puppies was Alpha, a greedy bully, forever attacking Bravo and stealing his food.

Bravo’s humans were Mr and Mrs Blathers, their son Paul and daughter Bernice. Bernice was kind and gentle, whereas Bravo could sense that Paul was not so kind, a greedy bully, very much like Alpha.

As Bravo gradually moved further and further away from the cupboard under the stairs where he and the other puppies had been born, he built up a map of the ground floor of the house in his mind as he bumped and bashed into doors and chairs and table legs.

As his siblings grew and prospered, gaining their sight and hearing, they were allowed out into the very large garden, and Bravo followed them, quickly finding his way, building up a mental map of the walls and fences, where there were trees and stones, paths, lawns and flowerbeds. He bumped into the garden chairs and table only once and now was always able to avoid them.

Bravo became so adept at finding his way around by smell and touch that only Bernice realised that he was blind. However, nobody else took any notice of her when she told them. That is, until the day he went missing.