Dog Lost

by Ingrid Lee

Book Overview

Lee presents the heroic story of a sweet, loyal pit bull pup that defies expectations and her breed's reputation to save the day--and the boy she loves. Based on a true story, this moving, fast-paced... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0545085780
• ISBN13: 9780545085786
• Release Date: September 2008
• Publisher: Chicken House
• Length: 197 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.6" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Heartfelt

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.

Very good pro-pit bull book

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.

Dog Lost by Ingrid Lee

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.

Dog Lost

Mackenzie and Cash were the best of friends. Mackenzie's Dad had brought the little runt home for the boy. From that moment on the two were inseparable. People in the neighborhood were afraid of Cash. Even though he was gentle and smart, everyone just saw that he was a pit bull. In fact, the city was in the process of banning pit bulls saying that they were unsuitable as pets and dangerous. One day, Mackenzie's Dad did the unthinkable. He took Cash away and just dumped him. Mackenzie was devastated. How was the little dog with the big heart going to survive on the streets? What would Mackenzie do without his best friend? Most importantly, would these two friends ever find each other again.