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I read this book before giving it to my grandkids to read. It reminded me of James Herriot, only grittier.
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My Life in Dog Years
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Gary Paulsen has owned dozens of unforgettable and amazing dogs. In each chapter he tells of one special dog, among them Cookie, the sled dog who saved his life; Snowball, the puppy he owned as a boy in the Philippines; Ike, his mysterious hunting companion; Dirk, the grim protector; and his true friend Josh, a brilliant border collie.
137 pages, Paperback
First published January 1,1997
This edition
- Format
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137 pages, Paperback
- Published
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June 8, 1999 by Yearling
- ISBN
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9780440414711
- ASIN
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0440414717
- Language
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English
About the author
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Gary James Paulsen was an American writer of children's and young adult fiction, best known for coming-of-age stories about the wilderness. He was the author of more than 200 books and wrote more than 200 magazine articles and short stories, and several plays, all primarily for teenagers. He won the Margaret Edwards Award from the American Library Association in 1997 for his lifetime contribution in writing for teens.
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Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
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100 reviews All reviews
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An interesting concept — author Gary Paulson shares important events that have occurred in his life as defined by the wonderful dogs he owned during those times. An easy read, this book tugs at the heartstrings — and sometimes the tear ducts. It will be enjoyed by any reader who has known and loved dogs.
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Dogs are the best!
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I didn't enjoy this book and thought it was poorly written.
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"I was just seven years old...
I remember standing, not believing she was dead, thinking how nothing would ever be right again, not ever, and how I would always, always miss her, and that is all true. Now, forty-nine years later while I write this, I can see her laughing tongue hanging out while she turns to beckon me on, see the white spot on her side, her tail curled tightly over her back as she turns and jauntily heads up the path ahead of me, and I miss her as much as if she'd just died yesterday. Snowball."
I remember standing, not believing she was dead, thinking how nothing would ever be right again, not ever, and how I would always, always miss her, and that is all true. Now, forty-nine years later while I write this, I can see her laughing tongue hanging out while she turns to beckon me on, see the white spot on her side, her tail curled tightly over her back as she turns and jauntily heads up the path ahead of me, and I miss her as much as if she'd just died yesterday. Snowball."
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This was an incredibly sweet read. Super short - you can finish it in an hour and change. I read it on the back of recently losing my soul dog, and it was a great reminder that his memory will always be with me, and also that I’ll have many more joyous memories to make with new pups that will come into my life
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So it's a juvenile book you can finish in an hour and it's another dog book---ok, ok, sue me! I'm a children's librarian and a total dog freak---whaddya expect? :)
A proud and self-confessed "dog person", Gary Paulsen literally owes his life to dogs. The first chapter of his book is dedicated to his lead sled dog who, if she hadn't pulled him out of icy water in the nick of time, the author would have died. The following chapters are short and sweet stories of other dogs he's owned who have likewise influenced and inspired him. Just goes to show the different breeds of love and laughter one can encounter in a lifetime.
The author put it best when he wrote, "I have always had dogs and will have dogs until I die..........They are wonderful and, I think, mandatory for decent human life."
A proud and self-confessed "dog person", Gary Paulsen literally owes his life to dogs. The first chapter of his book is dedicated to his lead sled dog who, if she hadn't pulled him out of icy water in the nick of time, the author would have died. The following chapters are short and sweet stories of other dogs he's owned who have likewise influenced and inspired him. Just goes to show the different breeds of love and laughter one can encounter in a lifetime.
The author put it best when he wrote, "I have always had dogs and will have dogs until I die..........They are wonderful and, I think, mandatory for decent human life."
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My Life in Dog Years by Gary Paulsen is a longer autobiographical book about the most memorable dogs the author's had throughout his life. Written by Gary Paulsen and his wife Ruth Wright Paulsen, this book has 9 chapters each titled after the name of the dog he's remembering. This is a book for all readers, but the main age group is 9-12 years old. My Life in Dog Years won the Margaret A. Edwards Award given by the American Library Association, as well as the American Library Association Quick Pick for Young Adult Reluctant Readers in 1999. This book covers the dogs that have made the biggest impact on the author's life; he has had more but his book is somewhat of a highlight reel demonstrating just how complex, loving, and amazing a dog can be to a human. The book starts with Paulsen recounting when his sled dog named "Cookie" saved his life when he fell through frozen ice one day when they were out sledding. Then the book is in chronological order telling each story of a different dog in his life. A theme can be found within all of these chapters, that of a special bond Paulsen has found with his furry friend, whether it be hunting, sledding, or his daily life, each of his pets was special and very dear to him. By sharing the relationships he had with his dogs, Paulsen creates another relationship with his reader who also feels as though they have a special connection to his past pets. When I was reading this book, I was constantly amazed at the skills and devotion Gary's dogs had to him, and his storytelling ability that made each chapter feel like its own book. Overall, this memoir is informative, interesting, and very emotionally based. I loved getting to know his favorite dogs and their stories together. This book could be used academically or for personal reading, any age and person would enjoy this autobiography by Gary Paulsen and Ruth Wright Paulsen.
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