Puppies, Dogs, and Blue Northers

The author writes about living with his sled dogs in Minnesota. Most of the narrative centers around his beloved (and a very fiercely opinionated canine individual) lead dog Cookie, and one of her litters of puppies. He details the birthing, how she raised them, weaned them (with his assistance), got back into the traces as soon as she could. How he let the puppies roam the kennel area and socialize with all the older dogs who each deliberately taught them things. They mayhem caused by puppies breaking into his cabin one day. The glorious chaos and energy of running the puppies with the sled for the first time. Some adventures and mishap they had, and then the final retirement days he had with Cookie, when she was finally too old to run show more and had to transition into being a house dog. Which was difficult. The end of this book actually brought tears to my eyes. It’s wonderful, and I only wish it was longer. Much longer. show less

A collection of stories from the author's years training sled dogs for the Iditarod, with emphasis on his lead dog, Cookie, and her last litter. Paulsen has a way with his words: I can feel the frigid cold of a Minnesota winter, though it's currently Spring here.

A very charming and heartwarming biography of Cookie, one of the author's longtime companions in his sled dog team. The companionship of Paulsen's sled dogs, especially his lead (Cookie), is an evocative paean to the partnership between team and driver.

Admittedly a story of adventure, then grief and loss, the narrative is not maudlin or over-emotionally written. Although published as a children's story, it is an ageless memoir for those who enjoy northern stories of life in the bush.

Great book. It's only fault is how short it is. I think I read it in an hour or less.

Gary Paulsen got me interested in dog sledding with Winterdance, which is probably my favorite book. I read it again every couple of years. Another of his books, Woodsong, has some totally amazing stories in it. Especially if you are a fan of his books, this one is another must have to read. It follows Cookie his lead dog, the puppies from one of her litters, and leads to the end of his dog sledding days. Great details on taking care of pups in a sled dog kennel. Great observations on Cookie. Funny stories of letting a large pack of sled dog puppies into the house. Sadly the book doesn't keep going, and for that reason I won't tag it with favorite, but show more the stories are good enough to be in that category. show less

Great book. It's only fault is how short it is. I think I read it in an hour or less.

Gary Paulsen got me interested in dog sledding with Winterdance, which is probably my favorite book. I read it again every couple of years. Another of his books, Woodsong, has some totally amazing stories in it. Especially if you are a fan of his books, this one is another must have to read. It follows Cookie his lead dog, the puppies from one of her litters, and leads to the end of his dog sledding days. Great details on taking care of pups in a sled dog kennel. Great observations on Cookie. Funny stories of letting a large pack of sled dog puppies into the house. Sadly the book doesn't keep going, and for that reason I won't tag it with favorite, but show more the stories are good enough to be in that category. show less

A super quick read, 81 pages. Although a children's book (Scholastic), the content at times leaned more for teen and adult. Nothing was over-the-top, only mature/complex.

The story held my attention from beginning to end; absolutely wonderful and I learned much about sled dogs and their drivers. Paulsen writes with great wit, which I fined an outstanding talent.

Paulsen made me cry in several chapters! His experience with this dog is touching. As a biography, this is a short snippet in Paulsen's life, but is almost a complete biography of the lead dog Cookie. Great book for kids who like dogs.