Customer Reviews

Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle

5 star:		(107)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a wonderful story of the mutual devotion and the warm bond found between people and their pets... with a twist. Brian Dennis is a great, colorful writer, and there are little touches within the book - from his email dispatches to maps and photography, that make this true story hit home. My 7 year old son, as soon as we finished, said it best: "Dad, that was a great story!"

Major Dennis, and all those that helped make this story a happy one, deserve great praise. This book should be a staple in every home - and I'd particularly recommend it to those parents who want to teach their kids to respect animals. It also highlights the power of small, compassionate groups of people who are determined to save a life - furry or otherwise.

What a wonderful story of love, loyality, and a dog that would not give up. This is a tale of the beauty of miracles in the mist of the ugliness of war. Nubs will show that love between a man and his dog can overcome anything. Children will love this book and remember it as a favorite. It teaches them that animals have personalities, should be valued and respected, and are very special. Highly recommended.

Last night, my eight year old son and I had the pleasure of meeting both Major Dennis and Nubs and to hear their wonderful story. As an avid animal lover, it was truly inspiring to hear the lengths that the Major went to in order to bring Nubs home. The story of what that poor dog and countless more like him had to endure in war torn Iraq is heartbreaking; however when you hear Dennis's story and the bond that the two have forged, it will bring a smile to your face and tears to your eyes.

The book is lovely, full of photos, the story uplifting. Seeing Nubs with the Major, I truly believe that he understands how much he is loved and the lengths the Major went to to bring him home. A wonderful story for children and adults alike, it shows the human side of the men and women who serve; the need for interaction, love and kindness. Job well done Major; thank you!

Here is a true story that will make you smile, warm your heart, and again remind you of the indefatigable power of love. Yes, even in war love overcomes.

Today he is known by thousands but not too long ago a scraggly, skinny mutt barely survived on the desert. "His ears had been cut off to make him a dog of war." He was the leader off a pack of wild dogs, and had no name. And then one day a trio of military vehicles carrying Major Brian Dennis and his ten marines arrived at the desert fort. The other dogs, hoping for food, scrambled to meet the soldiers but one dog, the one without ears went to Dennis who bent down to meet him. Somehow, for whatever reason, the man and the dog bonded.

Dennis called the dog Nubs because that's what was left of his ears looked like, and that evening they shared a meal - spaghetti, Cajun beans, and rice plus a strawberry Pop-Tart for dessert. That might not be canine cuisine but it was undoubtedly the best meal Nubs had ever eaten. When it was Dennis's turn for guard duty that night Nubs stayed right beside him.

But the next day the soldiers left. Nubs chased them for more than a mile but couldn't begin to catch up. Once again Nubs was alone, fighting to not only keep his place in the pack but foraging for food, and trying to stay warm in the winter's intense cold. Weeks later the three vehicles carried the soldiers back to the fort and Brian and Nubs were reunited. But again they left and upon returning found Nubs weak with a severe wound in his side. The men doctored the dog as best they could.

Finally Dennis and his men left one more time heading for the Command Outpost on the Jordanian border. It would seem that Dennis and Nubs had said their final goodbyes.

Readers of all ages will be touched by the story of Nubs who while a small, scruffy mutt had the heart of a lion.

- Gail Cooke

Every animal lover should own this book. What a great story of love perserverance and devotion. I dare you not to cry. It is such a moving story. Before I read it I was trying to decide which of my children it would be appropriate for. The answer is every age will get something out of this book, parents and children alike. Don't miss a great read. It will make your day!

Probably one of the hardest things to write is a story told partly from the point of view of a dog, but Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery make it look effortless. Not once do they veer from Nubs true dogginess, or turn this into a saccharine sweet tale. NUBS is powerful because it's so well told. Including the email messages from Major Dennis and photos of Nubs give this book just the right ring. I give it a solid 5 paw rating. Great for kids and adults alike. Woof!

From the hearts of two amazing authors comes this story of the astounding strength and caring that can exist between dogs and those who love them. An absolute must read for children everywhere of every age.

The subtitle for this book is "The True Story of a Mutt, A Marine, and a Miracle," and it is certainly that. Marine Major Brian Dennis, a fighter pilot by training, was leading leading border patrols in western Iraq when he came upon pack of wild dogs led by a wiry mutt with clipped ears. (Iraqi's believe that clipping a dog's ears makes it 'tough' and reduces the area that an opposing dog can grab onto.) The pack was living on desert mice and rats, and scraps from local Iraqi soldiers.

It took awhile, but eventually Major Dennis was able to make friends with the dog, whom he named "Nubs." Periodically, Dennis and his men would leave for several days before returning. There Nubs would be waiting. On the unit's last return, however, Nubs hung back - he'd been stabbed by locals using a screwdriver. Major Dennis and his corpsman treated the wound and gave Nubs antibiotics, but the dog was too sore to eat and drink, and had difficulty even lying down.

The next day the patrol drove off to a location 70 miles away, leaving Nubs and the pack behind. Two days later, despite 18 degree nights and the dangers of a wild desert and war zone, Nubs appeared at Major Dennis' new location, much worse for wear. Despite military prohibition against keeping animals, the group adopted Nubs, and even built him a doghouse. Unfortunately, some of Major Dennis' two-legged 'friends' reported this heinous violation, and he was given four days to get rid of the dog, "or else."

Major Dennis acted quickly, creating a web-based appeal for funds to help pay the cost of sending Nubs to his home in San Diego, and arranging for his interpreter's brother to help implement move. (A little royal assistance also helped - the King of Jordan's veterinarian provided additional treatment and cared for Nubs while waiting final arrangements.)

After about two weeks, Nubs was off to San Diego to stay with a fellow Marine pilot, and one month later, was reunited with Major Dennis. Today they live, exercise and play together - happily ever after.

In addition to a great story, the book also has a number of excellent photos documenting Nub's story.

If you are the person who tears up and cries at the Lassie theme or during Hallmark commercials, you might want to keep a tissue handy. There are some moments where you will cry from the emotion of happiness, thankfulness and more.

The story of Marine Major Brian Dennis and his dog Nubs has made the media rounds, but reading the words of the man who saved Nubs brings a very personal view point to the story. Dennis 'adopted' Nubs while serving in Iraq. He is named Nubs due to the practice of cutting the ears to the base to make the dog a dog of war.

Soldiers weren't allowed to have pets, so when Dennis had to leave him to go on assignment, Nubs trekked 70 miles to reunite with the man that captured his loyalty and his heart.

If this book was fiction, you'd probably think it was a bit contrived, but the story is true and it is such a story of love, devotion, bravery and loyalty by both human and dog! Like I said, if you cry at the Lassie theme or Hallmark commercials, you'll want your hankie near you!

I read about this amazing story in People Magazine and I thought it was incredible! I bought this book as a gift and flipped through it before I wrapped it. I have very mixed feelings. The story is absolutely unbelievable, but the actual book looks like someone with very limited computer skills put it together. There are pictures of the real people and environment which was nice to see, although they might have been taken on a cell phone given the clarity. It's definitely an interesting and heart-warming story, but I wish they would have taken the time to produce a book that conveys the story better. I guess, if you want to purchase this, don't expect high quality and maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised!