Gretchen The Bicycle Dog

By Anita Heyman and Dashka Slater

Gretchen, a spunky, lovable dachshund, tells the true story of how she loses the use of her back legs after an accident but triumphs over her disability with the help of a set of wheels. Candid photographs, engaging text, and a scrapbook-style format gives this real-life story an immediate appeal. Gretchen's tale will be inspirational to all as she overcomes her challenge and keeps her friendly, funny personality intact.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0525470662
• ISBN13: 9780525470663
• Release Date: March 2003
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.91 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.3" x 0.5" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 3 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool and higher

Customer Reviews

The Little Dachshund Who Could

A sweet little dachshund has her story chronicled in appealing photographs depicting her life from puppyhood to grown dog. She is the much loved pet of a dog friendly family and has never had a shortage of love. Sadly, the little hound suffers a trauma to her spine which renders her hind legs immobile. Surgery does not restore the hound's use of her hind legs, but she still gets around. She drags herself with much effort. Finally, her family orders a special dog cart that can be strapped to her chest. Her buttocks rest in the cart and she can trot along, with her back end coasting on wheels. A delightful little book with comments, crayon markings and a beautiful little dachshund with a plucky, resilient spirit. In fact, dogs who have suffered similar traumas as Gretchen who have been outfitted with such carts have been used as therapy dogs for people in hospitals, homes and nursing facilities. The dogs on wheels have indeed brought many smiles, rays of hope and inspiration to those they encounter.

Gretchen's Lovely Story Is Not Just for Kids

Though written for children, with each simple sentence accompanied by a photo, the book is utterly charming for adults too; just the many pictures of the doughty, endearing Gretchen were worth the price of the book. Gretchen loses the use of her hind limbs through a spinal injury, and her magnificent coping, eventually with the aid of a cart, is lovely and inspiring. As a recent and first-time dachshund owner, I appreciated the afterword that briefly discusses this common affliction in dachshunds and offers advice on preventing it.