A Dog's Life: The Autobiography Of A Stray (2007) - Plot & Excerpts
A Dog’s LifeBy: Ann M. MartinBook Review by MindytBorn in a wheelbarrow and ending up in a cozy house with Susan, I’ve had my share of adventures. Going from Mother and Bone to Bone to Moon to Susan, I’ve had my share of losses too. In my autobiography, I tell the reader all about my adventures and losses. Here is what happened in my life.tThe wheelbarrow in the Merrions’ shed was the spot my mother chose to give birth to Bone, my brother, and me, Squirrel. We had 3 other siblings, but they didn’t survive. One day when I was older and stronger, I spotted a fox named Mine. Unfortunately, so did the Merrions’ and they were determined to get her killed. The Merrions’ hired a fox hunter and they killed Mine. The next day, my mother went to get food from the garbage, and she never returned.tBone and I left our shed and were on our own in the world. After traveling for quite some time, these women saw us. One woman adored Bone and took him with her and left me all alone. I wandered for a while and spent the winter season in a small forest I found. When winter had passed, I ventured out of the forest in hope of going somewhere else when I thought I saw Bone. It turned out that the dog was not Bone, but I did make a new friend. Her name was Moon. tMoon and I found a little town called Claremont and some people fed us, but there was a dognapper and we couldn’t stay. We traveled to different towns, stayed about 2 or 3 days, then left. We stayed in the woods sometimes too. One day we were chasing chipmunks and we accidentally ran out onto a road. I saw a huge truck coming and got away just in time. The truck only clipped my shoulder that was injured before, but Moon was hit at full speed and was sent flying through the air. I knew now that moon had gone to join my mother.tThe people that hit me took me to the vet. I ended up having a broken leg. My leg got fixed and Dr. Roth treated me very kindly while I was recovering. The people that hit me took me to their home and now I had somewhere to live. After living with the Beckers’, I would have rather stayed a stray. They were never around to do anything with me and they forgot to feed me. One day the Beckers’ left and I decided to leave too.tYears had gone by and I was old now. I found a house and I went over to it. This was the house Susan lived in. She fed me and cared for me. One day she let me come inside. I hesitate at first, but then I went in. I learned that her name was Susan and she decided to call me Addie. This is how my life started with Susan, Susan McGrath.A quote in this book that gives a meaningful feel for it is: “I had seen many dead things in my life, and now Moon was one of them.” This quote gives meaning because before Squirrel meet Susan, she lost everything important to her.
A Dog's Life is a popular (and apparently commonly taught) piece of youth literature that imagines the life of a stray dog who is born in the bed of a wheelbarrow, who wanders between towns and farms for most of her life, and who finds a restful happy end with the old woman who takes her in. The story is narrated by the stray dog -- her name in Dog is Squirrel -- and while this is a unique set-up (the only other literature I've read from the perspective of a dog is a short piece by Mario Benedetti), it results in some appallingly self-conscious prose.Here's an example: "Just as the air became so heavy with moisture that the mist turned into a driving rain, I spotted a large structure. I know now that it was a barn, but I didn't know what it was then." This kind of sentence, the kind that explains Squirrel's situation then concludes with the admission that Squirrel didn't actually understand her situation, occurs frequently. The barn example is one of the less obnoxious. Just wait until Squirrel endeavors to describe colors (which she confesses she can't actually see) and Halloween costumes (would a Walgreens-bought dog costume really resemble a dog to a dog?). And what about the issue of human speech? Squirrel never converses with other dogs with dialogue. But she does have a miraculous capacity for understanding and later repeating in this so-called autobiography the exact words spoken to her, about her, by humans. Where did Squirrel learn English? This is a question that needs answering. Badly.I was ready to suspend my disbelief for the 200 pages of A Dog's Life. I was ready to hear a dog share her adventures with me. I was really impressed by the first paragraph, which includes one masterfully ambivalent sentence: "I'm lying near the hearth... remembering... the many, many nights searching for Bone." Wow, I thought, is "Bone" some kind of doggie quest? (No, Bone is just the name of Squirrel's brother.) Ultimately, however, I have little use for this book. Its author doesn't seem interested in anything more than rationalizing the irrational (by human standards) nature of a dog. I could do that without this book. I do do that, every time I have a conversation with my parents' beagle. Why did she drag dad's bathrobe off his bed and into the living room? I have my suspicions, but I don't think they merit a 200-page book.
What do You think about A Dog's Life: The Autobiography Of A Stray (2007)?
I thought I would begin my book review series with my all-time favorite book. It was not until recently that I decided this is my favorite book (deciding a favorite is much easier said than done! :) ), but I came to realize it was the only book from my late elementary school years that I’ve kept. It is called A Dog’s Life by Ann M. Martin.To begin, I want to emphasize that even though I read this book in the fourth grade, it is by no means a childish read. It follows the life of a stray dog named Squirrel, from her birth to old age. It is 182 pages long, and is a perfect vacation read.My favorite aspect of the book is the narration. The story is told from Squirrel’s perspective, and the narration style matures as she ages. The style makes Squirrel a relatable character while still maintaining characteristics of a dog. Throughout the course of her life, Squirrel encounters many faces of humanity: dismissive, cruel, shallow, compassionate, and loving. Each encounter with humans changes her perspective (for better and for worse), making her both curious and wary as time goes on. As the story progresses, you find yourself feeling Squirrel’s frustration as she goes through one dire situation after another. You begin to question the motives of the people she encounters, and you come to share her hesitation. However, despite the fact that she experiences many complicated and dismal situations throughout her life, the ending leaves you with contentment that mirrors that of Squirrel.Being an owner of previously stray dogs, I have a special connection with this book. I have always wondered about the past lives of my dogs, and reading this book has brought creative stories to my mind. No matter your age, you will love this unique story! To make it as easy as possible for you to purchase my version of the book, I have linked pages to common websites below. If you do decide to read the book, please leave your thoughts about it in the comments below! Also, if you have books to recommend (or any that you would like me to write a review about) I would love to hear them! :)
—The Wise Willow
I really enjoy reading this book because I really didn't expect what I read in this.I thought this book was going to be all goody goody but it wasn't.It really crush my heart how this dog was in and out of homes shelters.This dog made a living the hard way not the easy like the other dogs that have other people taking care of them.This dog made living out of eating out of trash cans,in and out of woods and a hold lot of experiences.But at the end the dog really came together and was also love by many people and even animals.To hear more read the book.And enjoy it.....
—Alexandria Crawford
A Dog's LifeAnn M. Martin182 pagesAutobiography Ever wandered what a dog might be thinking? A dog named Squirrel and her brother Bone once had a mother who took care of them,taught them,feed them and nurtured them. When their mother disappears they have to learn how to be a stray. She will have to go through dangerous passage ways, weather climate, and loathing people. When Squirrel makes friends life as a stray was all different now. My thoughts on the book were exhilarating. The book was such a well out spoken story. No words could describe the love and loss in another's eyes. I have two dogs and I love them very deeply and reading this book made me even more appreciative that they are safe and sound in the comfort of my house and in my hands. I recommend the book to dog lovers and global pet lovers as well.
—Abby H
