The Comeback Dog

Overall, the book was ok. Not terribly exciting so giving it 3 stars for that reason. Now I can talk about what I liked in it.

The boy in the story lost his previous dog and doesn't want a new dog. He finds a dog almost dead and brings it back to health. The dog doesn't want to be friendly, maybe too traumatized from a previous owner.

The lesson on helping lost dogs is a good one. The lesson of the feeling of lost when one leaves is always a good conversation to have, but a tough one. Good to discuss how dogs can be different, and some can be broken and need more love and care and may not be what you hoped for. Good lessons or discussions that can be had from this short book.

I also liked how in addition to doing his share on the farm, he show more has enough knowledge and gumption, after a not too much procrastination, can do chores like replace a rotted step without any further directions. Then after he fixed it:

'When he tried the step, he found that he had nailed it firm, without a wobble in it. He would feel good every time he stepped on that board.'

I also liked a bit in reference to blizzard weather. As I came from warmer climates, and now live where there is minimal snow, I appreciate snow more. I realize it is something more than just what drive up to the Mountains to go ski on and then drive back to where it was warm. So I liked this bit:

'He had dug out the mailbox and mounted a red bandana on a long stick above it so the snowplow wouldn’t shear off the post. The plow buried the mailbox again, bandana and all. Daniel dug it out once more.'

So, you know it wasn't a great 'dog' book when I talk more about other stuff then the dog. show less

Overall, the book was ok. Not terribly exciting so giving it 3 stars for that reason. Now I can talk about what I liked in it.

The boy in the story lost his previous dog and doesn't want a new dog. He finds a dog almost dead and brings it back to health. The dog doesn't want to be friendly, maybe too traumatized from a previous owner.

The lesson on helping lost dogs is a good one. The lesson of the feeling of lost when one leaves is always a good conversation to have, but a tough one. Good to discuss how dogs can be different, and some can be broken and need more love and care and may not be what you hoped for. Good lessons or discussions that can be had from this short book.

I also liked how in addition to doing his share on the farm, he show more has enough knowledge and gumption, after a not too much procrastination, can do chores like replace a rotted step without any further directions. Then after he fixed it:

'When he tried the step, he found that he had nailed it firm, without a wobble in it. He would feel good every time he stepped on that board.'

I also liked a bit in reference to blizzard weather. As I came from warmer climates, and now live where there is minimal snow, I appreciate snow more. I realize it is something more than just what drive up to the Mountains to go ski on and then drive back to where it was warm. So I liked this bit:

'He had dug out the mailbox and mounted a red bandana on a long stick above it so the snowplow wouldn’t shear off the post. The plow buried the mailbox again, bandana and all. Daniel dug it out once more.'

So, you know it wasn't a great 'dog' book when I talk more about other stuff then the dog. show less

This beginning chapter book (perhaps for grades 3-7) is an enjoyable read, with an important message about caring for others: it doesn't always reward you in the way that you want, but it is worth it just the same.

This book is ablout a boy whose dog has just died of old age. He finds an almost dead dog. The boy cares for him and nurses him back to healh. He could not bond with the dog and she ran off. She returns after an altercation with a poricpine. She stays this time.

A dog gets sent away by its unwanted owner and treks back.

00008879