Gary Paulsen has owned dozens of unforgettable and amazing dogs. In each chapter he tells of one special dog, among them Cookie, the sled dog who saved his life; Snowball, the puppy he owned as a boy in the Philippines; Ike, his mysterious hunting companion; Dirk, the grim protector; and his true friend Josh, a brilliant border collie.
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"Wow, an incredible book. My first Paulsen read, but I can just tell that it won't be my last. Powerful, powerful writing. Gary Paulsen has had many dogs over his lifetime, here we are introduced to 9 of them. An astounding range of dogs and adventures. Gary's childhood wasn't a traditional suburban one. He lived in the Phillipines during the Second World War. His parents were alcoholics and so distant. He then lived a not typical suburban adult life. All the while with an extraordinary collection of dogs to watch over him and keep him company. This book is said to be for the 9-12 year olds. However the chapter Snowball was a bit much for my (admittedly somewhat sensitive) recently 9 year old. Snowball is a pup that Gary gets his mother to buy in the Phillipines in 1946, so that it won't be eaten for dinner. Vivid descriptions of Japanese cadavers left over from the war, families living in abject poverty, alcoholic parents, a heroic dog who saves his life and then is dramatically killed in front of young Gary's eyes just before their expected return to America is not the stuff of traditional childhood stories. There were tears before bedtime after that story. A beautifully moving story, but beware if your youngster is likely to cry themselves to sleep about a dog that died in 1949. Other stories are beautiful and engaging beyond words, or funny. I don't want a dog like Caesar in my life, but would love to meet Josh. Disappointingly the cover of my Yearling paperback is about the flimsiest I've ever seen. Hardly likely to stand up to much childhood loving."
— Louise (5 out of 5 stars)
" Had to read for class. Wasn't super impressed although my professor loves this book. "
— Libby, 2/9/2014" It may be nonfiction, but it explains all of his dogs when he was growing up. "
— Geri, 1/30/2014" This book is special in that it is autobiographical, but it reads like an animal story. Paulsen did a great job of telling the reader about his life without seeming like he was talking about himself at all. The book is filled with incredible dog stories that anyone would appreciate. I actually thought at one point that it wasn't doing a very good job of telling me about his life. It wasn't until later, as I was talking to some students, that I realized how many of the facts about his life I had absorbed while becoming lost in the stories. That's talent! "
— Suzanne, 1/29/2014" I am a Gary Paulsen fan but not a great dog fan. It was quite laborious for me to get through his love of the dogs he wrote about. He actually attributed life-like qualities and mannerisms to one particular dog. I felt it would be a wonderful book for those who are avid dog lovers. "
— Dianne, 1/28/2014" Each chapter in the book is dedicated to a dog Gary Paulsen was owned and loved for special and different reasons. "
— Karen, 1/26/2014" A great read aloud book "
— Drew, 1/19/2014" A book celebrating some of the dogs from the author's life. Not being particularly a "dog person" I thought the book was ok, but nothing amazing. Some of the stories did make me appreciate the intelligence and loyalty dogs can have. Someday we'll get a dog. "
— Jenny, 1/10/2014" This book is amazing! I love how the chapters are different stories about all sorts of dog memories. Some are funny and some are scary. Some are happy and some are sad. I can't imagine someone not liking this book. Everybody out there, read this book. "
— Lili, 12/28/2013" Gary Paulsen is an excellent story teller. It doesn't matter what age you are, if you love dogs and you haven't read this book, give it an afternoon of your time and enjoy! "
— Pj, 12/8/2013" This is a sixth grade level book, beautifully simple and touching. Whether or not you like dogs, but especially if you do, this book is a great read. The language is simple but the stories are for all ages. "
— Patricia, 12/1/2013" it was one of the beast bookes ever by *Gary Paulsen*! "
— Brysa, 11/28/2013" This is a collection of first-person, short narratives about Gary Paulsen and his dogs. It tugs at the heart of any dog owner. It has a high vocabulary level and one swear word in the last chapter if you are looking to use it with children. "
— Ashley, 11/23/2013" This was a pretty good book "
— Nicholas, 9/6/2013" listened to audiobook in author's voice. Very enjoyable..this book just cracked me up..all the funny things his dogs did. "
— J, 8/23/2013" I want a dog now. "
— Deidre, 7/22/2013" It is a very meaningful book. If you love dogs then this is the book for you! "
— Lauren, 5/4/2013" I like how it tells bout what bad things the dogs did. "
— Sarah, 4/25/2013" I thought that the book was ok because it only talks about Gary Paulsen and how the dog were just there saving him from getting into danger. My Life in Dog Years "
— Nathan, 4/13/2013" My life in dog years was a good book and you people out there that eat dogs are weird and nasty!! "
— Bella, 2/26/2013" A short, enjoyable book about dogs that had a profound impact on Gary Paulsen's life. "
— Laurie, 11/19/2012" this book was really good it talks about this guy and his life with dogs all the adventures h has had u need to READ IT ITS AWESOME! "
— Jp, 8/12/2012" I laughed, I cried, I loved it! "
— Meredith, 6/28/2012" what a wonderful book! anyone who loves dogs or has/had dogs should read this book! "
— Kaethe, 6/13/2012" A autobiography of man and his dog. Any dog lover will cherish this book. It just makes me want a dog even more :) "
— Katie, 5/24/2012" Any dog lover would appreciate this book! "
— Jennifer, 2/23/2012" IT's a touching book. :) "
— Carolyn, 2/16/2012" I am a sucker for animals, and this book was just the thing for me! I laughed and cried! Gary Paulsen is one of my favorite writers. "
— Iced, 12/29/2011" A gift from Lisa, it was a book that touched me because I could relate to loving different pets. I enjoy Paulsen's love of nature and the outdoors. A quick read and the boys can get into it. "
— Temoca, 8/7/2011" A short collection of stories about dogs in Gary Paulsen's life, mostly funny, some are moving.<br/><br/>I enjoyed it.<br/> "
— Tom, 5/23/2011" Very nice memoir about some of the special dogs in Paulsen's life. Great book for dog lovers. No sad, overly emotional "dog dies at the end" stories. "
— Sarah, 5/11/2011" One of the best books I've read in months. Not just for animal lovers. "
— Dustin, 5/7/2011" This book was a great book for all dog lovers. Gary Paulsen has a unique way of walking through his life while looking at the dogs that accompanied him. "
— Tom, 5/3/2011" Now I want a Border Collie. "
— Jo, 4/30/2011" I just started reading this book yesterday yay! "
— Anjulina, 4/2/2011" Cute. Had to read for program :) "
— Igloo, 3/31/2011" I loved the concept of how Gary Paulsen wrote this book...a dog lover's book for sure! "
— Lori, 3/30/2011" An excellent selection for kids who "have" to read a biography, who will love the tales of the various dogs Paulsen has owned. Humorous and appealing. This is the "good" Paulsen. 5th grade and up. "
— H, 1/29/2011" A autobiography of man and his dog. Any dog lover will cherish this book. It just makes me want a dog even more :) "
— Katie, 1/4/2011" Really enjoyed this book. Fast read and laughed out loud so hard at some of the stories. Already recommended it to several boys as I was reading it. "
— Cathy, 12/31/2010" This was one of my favorite books in middle school. I am a huge dog lover and hearing Gary's stories with his own dogs really touched my heart and exposed me to different parts of the world. My tween years were littered with Gary Paulsen! "
— Allison, 12/7/2010" This was a pretty good book "
— Nicholas, 11/5/2010Gary Paulsen Gary Paulsen is the distinguished author of many critically acclaimed books for young people, including three Newbery Honor Books: The Winter Room, Hatchet, and Dogsong. He won the Margaret A. Edwards Award given by the ALA for his lifetime achievement in young adult literature. He divides his time between his home in Alaska, his ranch in New Mexico, and his sailboat on the Pacific Ocean