Ivan!: A Pound Dog's View on Life, Love, and Leashes [Hardcover]

Tim McHugh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2011

A story of hope, love and purpose for anyone who has ever loved a rescue dog.

With wry wit, deep insight, and vivid anecdotes, Tim McHugh gives voice to the family pet and delves into the place where the canine and human hearts become one.

Ivan, a mixed-breed dog-philosopher with an extreme underbite and various other deformities, chronicles his life story with keen observations about his adopted family and the people he loves, covering the life events that touch us all. Throughout his life Ivan keeps plugging forward with optimism and faith, always striving to learn from his mistakes, believing that even as he is ultimately facing old age, disease, and death, life is all the more wonderful. To Ivan, love and relationships with people are what matters most, and that if a deformed pound dog like him can find love and acceptance, anyone can. His is a lively, humorous story of hope and perseverance.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Move over, Marley, there’s a new dog in town! Be prepared to take a breathtaking, emotional joyride . . . two paws up!” —Charlie Cantrell and Dr. Rachel Wagner, authors of A Friend for Einstein, the Smallest Stallion

“Ivan is not your average dog. He tells his life story—from pound dog to beloved family companion—in this unique twist on the dog memoir. An admirer of Tolstoy, Descartes, and Thoreau, Ivan finds himself contemplating life’s biggest questions: Who am I? What is my purpose? And, Why am I always hungry? I loved it!” —C. A. Wulff, author of Born Without a Tail and Circling the Waggins

“Gandhi, MLK, Tolstoy . . . Ivan. All champions of the underdog. Hilarious!” —Dana Lyons, author of Cows with Guns and The Tree

"Literate, poignant, and hilarious. Ivan is a canine Huckleberry Finn, wise in his naiveté." —Gary McKinney, author of Slipknot and Darkness Bids the Dead Goodbye

“We can all use a fresh perspective . . . from a dog’s eye. If you’ve ever wondered about the life lived in a state of grace, here’s your answer.” —Mitch Friedman, coauthor of Forever Wild

"A great book." —American Dog Magazine
 
"[Ivan!] celebrates the life of a truly unique dog." —New Day Northwest
 
"I absolutely love this book. So inspiring!" —Jennifer, Nashville Humane Society

About the Author

Tim McHugh is an author, a professional musician, and a composer. He earned a BA in Creative Writing from Western Washington University and in 2004 he published his debut novel, The Poet Chronicles. He currently teaches high school English with at-risk youth in a rural alternative high school in northern Washington State where he resides with his family.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 210 pages
• Publisher: Turner (October 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596528311
• ISBN-13: 978-1596528314
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #970,197 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Tim McHugh is a teacher, author, and musician. He earned a BA in Creative Writing from Western Washington University and in 2004 Kearney Street Books published his debut novel, The Poet Chronicles. In 2011, Turner Publishing secured the rights to publish, Ivan! A Pound Dog's View on Life, Love and Leashes with a publication date set for October 11. Tim currently teaches high school English in Northern Washington State where he resides with his family. He loves basketball, and boasts the ugliest behind-the-head jump shot in the history of Washington State.

On the Web at:
http://timmchugh.net
http://foreverivan.com/

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Animal Lovers Will Delight in Ivan September 29, 2011

By Rachel Wanne

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Ivan stands out from other books about dogs and their humans. The book's perspective is that of Ivan- a slightly deformed, true mutt -who is saved from the humane society by his lovely family of humans. Ivan's voice is one that will touch every animal lover's heart with its honest, compassionate and practical perspective. In his book, Ivan represents the heroic canines who actually "save" the families that supposedly "rescued" them from the pound. His voice really resonates with those of us who try to hear animal voices, or at least imagine what our animal friends might say if they could speak human. Ivan is a truly heroic canine. His book is a wonderful combination of poetic and artfully crafted stories about his human family, daily life, and his canine views on international politics. As I read these, I felt I was being taught how to be a better human. This book is a great example of teaching compassion without being "dogmatic" about it (sorry couldn't resist). I heartily recommend Ivan! to anyone who has ever had a dog in their life and known the wisdom and love that each canine brings to their own family. The world is full of Ivans and now we can appreciate what it is they are trying to tell us.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars IVAN for President! October 1, 2011

By S. Ford

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'd give Ivan 10 stars if I could. It was funny and emotionally poignant throughout the entire book. It's one of those books that you'll think about often after reading it. So many people will relate not only to the dog shenanigans but the love of family, old and young alike living, learning, loving, and arguing with one another. I loved this book. Brilliant! Ivan for President! Reviewed by Jeanine Ford

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful hilarious story of a pound dog who can save the world. Ivan in 2012! September 28, 2011

By Dana Lyons

Format:Hardcover

Ivan! is hilarious and heart warming. Ivan's philosophical take on the world from a pound dog's perspective is a must read. Tim McHugh is a wonderful writer and captures Ivan's innocent observations of the world brilliantly. If you're a dog lover, a pound animal adopter, a human who sometimes feels like a pound animal, or a human who likes a good laugh and an inspirational story, you'll love "Ivan!".