The Dog in My Life : Thumper of Walden

"The Dog in My Life" is based on the true story of the prize-winning Thumper of Walden, a yellow Labrador who is part of a litter born to an amateur dog-breeding family. Their youngest daughter, fifteen year old Cary, longs for a dog of her own, and it is the rather ugly puppy called "Meathead" (due to his oversized head) who wins her heart. Renaming him Thumper, the book chronicles their experiences together, from Thumper's unexpected birth to his beginnings in junior showmanship, from his duck hunting training to his disappearance at the hands of dog-thieves, as well as plenty of other amusing anecdotes in between. Told in first-person narrative by Cary, the book takes place over a year in the life of this particular family; Cary's show more assertive mother, rather henpecked father, older teenage sister, and a plethora of pets that includes cats, dogs, and even a descented skunk! It is a lovely portrayal of a warm, loving family who can't stop adding to their menagerie even as they struggle to make ends meet, although the narrative voice leaves something to be desired. Perhaps because the author is male, there is a struggle to emphasis with the female point of view present here, particularly since the first chapter involves Cary wailing at the top of her lungs because she didn't get a puppy for her birthday. This is especially grating since the family already owns several dogs; she just wants one for *herself*. She improves as the story goes on, but it's not a good start. Source: Amazon show less