Customer Reviews

Dog Lost

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Dog Lost, written by Ingrid Lee, focuses on my absolute favorite breed of dog (and some's least favorite), a pit bull. I own a pit bull, as many of you have seen through the various pictures I've posted of her over the last couple of years and my husband and I are forever getting comments about us owning a "vicious dog breed." SO NOT TRUE. It's the owner, not the breed. Enough said. Anyways...Ms.Lee brings that issue alive with the help of a young boy, his abusive father, and a sweet puppy by the name of Cash.

When 11 year old Mackenzie is awoken by the throwing of a tiny puppy on his bed by his drunk, gambling addicted father, he is absolutely overjoyed. Having a puppy has been dream and he can finally have the best friend he has always wanted. His days become filled with taking care of Cash and raising her from an innocent puppy to a strong, smart, happy dog, with absolutely no help from his father who often kicks her out of his way or threatens to throw in her the street. One night, Mackenzie's day makes good on that threat and Cash is thrown out of the house, left with no family and no roof over her head. Mackenzie is devastated and Cash's little puppy heart is broken with the loss of her boy.

While Cash is just working on survival, a heated debate against pit bulls is raging in Mackenzie's town. Everyone believes the dogs are vicious and should be locked up and put down. When acts of bravery begin to occur throughout the town, all done by a pit bull, minds slowly begin to change from a negative attitude to a positive outlook for the breed and Mackenzie believes he may just know what Cash has been up to since she's been gone.

Though Dog Lost definitely doesn't have the best writing I've ever seen, it's an incredibly heartwarming story that kids are going to love, written on an issue I am very passionate about. Perfect for fans of Ann M. Martin's A Dog's Life.

All right, I admit--I'm a faucet when it comes to stories about dog, cat, and people abuse. After Mackenzie's abusive father kicks the dog (on the cover) and hauls it off and throws it out near the garbage dump, I started sobbing and had to put the book away. I was vending at our local farmers market and during a lull I started reading "Dog Lost" by Ingrid Lee. I thought it might be inappropriate to sob in front of customers.

Anyway, it's the story of a half-grown puppy won in a card game. Father dumps dog on young son who learns to be responsible. The joy of boy and dog ends when dog--accidentally-- knocks pizza box and bottle of whiskey out of half-drunk father's hands, Dad kicks the dog then goes after the boy. Cash suddenly stands in front of boy and growls deep in her throat. Because she's a pit bull, dad freaks.

A pertinent issue threading throughout the story is what to do with pit bulls. The City Council is trying to pass an ordnance making them totally illegal then euthanizing them all. Another issue is dog fighting. One very cruel "owner" keeps his dogs on treadmills to make them "strong" and have endurance. When they tire and their belly skin is rubbed off, he doesn't care. The dog still must fight. The dog fighting description is mildly graphic enough, but not too much to damage young readers, just raise awareness.

Another issue--a good positive one-- is placing dogs and cats in just the right places for mutual and lasting happiness. Ingrid Lee plays God in her role as writer and makes all kinds of coincidental things happen to create a story with a happy ending.

The greatest authorial creation is making Cash, our pit bull in this story, do extraordinary things and become a citywide hero. She saves an elderly woman when her house catches on fire. The dog literally drags the woman out. Cash herself had been caught by a cruel teenager and was being made to fight another pit. Her opponent is the treadmill dog still nursing injuries from her last battle. Each is wary but reluctant to fight. To excite them, that barbarian throws a bound tomcat between theme. Cash catches the cat in her mighty jaws and escapes--saving the cat and herself!

There's a teacher, a policeman, a young woman on kidney dialysis, the older half-brother to Mackenzie who left home when he became of age, a hapless cat, the old lady, and our two pit bulls. How Lee fits all these people and animals together is wonderful (full of wonder) and an ending not to be missed. Even though the reader cheers for Cash, this heroic, big-hearted, intelligent pit bull, the great joy maker--to me--is what happens to the old, wounded fighter who is about to be destroyed. Yep, turn on the faucets!

The plot deserves five stars, but I had to deduct one for writing not of best quality. An example: "Mackenzie and Cash got along like a house on fire." Horrors, but at least there's only an occasional simile like that. Let me reiterate: "Dog Lost" is a wonderful book in the truest meaning of the word--"wonderfully heart-rousing," according to Ann M. Martin, who also wrote the travails of a stray dog in A Dog's Life: Autobiography of a Stray.

Because "Lost Dog" is a work of fiction for older children, it is quite realistic in its positive promotion of teaching a dog love and respect, who in turn gives love, respect, and deepest loyalty. That goes for pit bulls, too.

I first got wind of this book at a publisher's preview back in May. When I discovered it was nominated for a Cybil Award in the Middle Grades category, I was excited that I would get the chance to read it.

Dog Lost is the story of a boy and his dog. But it's more than just a fluffy animal story. Mackenzie lives with his dad, and he certainly isn't a good dad. An alcoholic who hasn't been the same since Mack's mom died, he comes home drunk one night and dumps a puppy on Mack's bed. Mackenzie is stunned, as is the puppy who has never had a decent home. The two quickly become inseparable, with Mack making sure Cash the puppy never bothers Dad. Best friends from the get-go, the two spend hours at the park, chasing squirrels, and just cuddling at night. Mack isn't sure why so many of the neighbors in his run-down neighborhood run the other way when they see Cash coming, because she is just a big love-bug.

What Mack doesn't realize is that Cash is a pitbull.

He also doesn't know that the town is about to pass a law outlawing pit bulls.

Mack loves Cash and Cash loves him right back. She is nothing but a gentle giant, and a baby at that. But when his dad is drunk and angry one night and goes after Mack, Cash immediately jumps between them. Growling at dad to protect her best friend she puts herself in danger. Dad grabs Cash, stuffs her in the trunk of his car, and drives to an empty field where he dumps her. Mack is heartbroken and Cash is lost and alone.

While Cash and Mack are separated for the next year and a half, the pit bull law is pushed through the town legislative bodies, Cash survives on her own (making new friends and enemies), a neighbor continues his dogfighting ring, and a downtrodden neighborhood narrowly avoids two tragedies.

This is a beautiful, heartfelt book that will connect with any animal lover. I think I can even get some of my sports fans to read, thanks to Michael Vick's recent dogfighting conviction. Dogfighting and pit bulls have been in the news a lot over the past year and this timely book will force readers to really consider their position on both. And anyone who has ever had a pet will identify with the relationship between a boy and his dog.

After wandering around a local book store and happening across this book I was taken with the cover. I know it's written for the younger crowd but I had to read it. For me this was a very fast read and a page turner.

During a tough time for pitbulls due to legislation, Cash is given to Mackenzie by his father after he comes home drunk one night. She's tossed on the boy's bed and he's instructed to not let her near the furniture. Mackenzie's mother died when he was young and he's half brother has moved out. His father is more interested in himself and drinking. Cash is just what Mackenzie has wanted and needs; a dog. After a couple kicks to the guts Mackenzie's father has and enough of the puppy and takes her to deserted area and dumps her. Naturally this broke my heart as well as Mackenzie's. He never quits searching for Cash and as time passes a wonder dog begins to save people's lives and shockingly it's a pitbull. After too much time apart Mackenzie will be reunited with his beloved Cash and will find a new home safer and better for the both of them.

This is a great dog story and it does scream with the statement that pitbulls aren't all bad. I myself love dogs, there are certain breeds I can't stand and other's I'm just afraid of. But it is my belief that the trouble with these dogs are the owners and over breeding causing brain issues. However, this book was great and I did cry a couple times. I recommend this book to all dog lovers, not just pitbull lovers.

This was an easy read for me, so I assume it's mostly for about the 10-14 crowd. There are some tense moments that could make a younger child nervous. It's very pro-pit bull (for anyone who might be nervous about that) showing how not all pit bulls want to fight, how they are loyal and loving, and how they have a heart of gold. I liked it and was glad I bought it.