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susan_loves_stories's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
3.0
mbrandmaier's review against another edition
2.0
Meh. I could have done without all the mindless details. 15 pages just to describe getting up and making a mundane breakfast for the family was how this book started off. The author also holds "conversations" with Oogy and projects his own emotions onto the dog's response of yawning/licking his hand etc. which I really could have done without. On the bright side that was a wonderful thing that the author's family did, rescuing a poor abused animal like that. This should have been condensed into a chapter within a book of short stories, not made into its own book IMHO. Oogy is a sweetheart though.
kayceslitlife's review against another edition
4.0
As is the case with most animal lovers, books like these are hard for me to get through for the sole reason of the fact that I don’t want to be sad. I hold a very special place in my heart for all animals, particularly dogs. While I enjoy memoirs that center around dogs and their lives (a favorite that comes to mind is A Big Little Life by Dean Koontz), stories that stem from an animal being abused, neglected, or mistreated in any way are harder. Even if I know they have a happy ending, the thought of what the dog went through and the fact that others still are abused on a daily, regular basis, absolutely breaks my heart. So I read Oogy with a great deal of caution, keeping an arm’s length of space so as not to allow myself to be sad.
That was hard to do given the situation. Oogy was a “bait dog” used to teach dogs how to fight. The fact that people in our country (or people ANYWHERE) participate in, train dogs to, and profit from dog fighting makes me sick to my stomach. I feel there is a special place in Hell for them. Dogs that are found as strays, homeless, or “free to good homes” may face the horrific and traumatic fate as a bait dog. Thus was the case with Oogy.
When Larry and his sons find him (or shall I say when OOGY found THEM, as ‘they’ say dogs find us), he was in the middle of rehabbing from a near fatal experience as a bait dog. He had lost one ear, had already gone through surgeries, had bandages on his heads, and was in pretty bad shape. The connection was instant among Oogy and the Levin boys. (I did find it interesting, by the way, the small role Larry’s wife Jennifer has in the book. Guess this is another example of dog really being man’s best friend)
With nobody to claim Oogy, Larry did not have trouble adopting him and bringing him home. I thought it was so sweet the way he talked to Oogy every day and loved that he promised never to cause him pain nor fear again. I believe dogs can understand us to an extent, and love this very real relationship this man and dog had from the very beginning.
When Oogy tears his ACL and has to go through reconstructive surgery as well as water therapy (which due to the panic he felt in the water, was modified for him elsewhere in keeping with Levin’s promise), it reminded me of LibraryLove’s Akitas, who have both undergone this surgery. The play by play was the exact same in the book, from the surgeons telling Levin what to expect, to his sleeping on the floor with Oogy to prevent him from climbing any stairs, to the water therapy. It was nice to read in familiar territory and made me feel that much closer to Oogy.
As Oogy is still alive, this story does not end with death (refreshing for an animal story/memoir), rather it is a heartwarming collection of stories, moments, and love shared between the Levin family and their very special dog. It was touching and surprising to see the sweet mannerism’s of a dog who had been through the trauma he had. A miracle itself that he survived, it is truly shocking Oogy remained as sweet and loving as he did, both with other animals (he just wanted to play with everyone) as well as humans (the bond with the twin boys will make you smile as you flip through).
If you can face the reality of the animal abuse that goes on in this world (I realize sometimes it’s easier to pretend if we don’t hear about it, it doesn’t happen), then I recommend this book for you. Oogy is a special dog who received a second chance and then loved unconditionally. I can’t wait to meet him one day when we are in a place where dogs will never have to worry about being harmed again.
That was hard to do given the situation. Oogy was a “bait dog” used to teach dogs how to fight. The fact that people in our country (or people ANYWHERE) participate in, train dogs to, and profit from dog fighting makes me sick to my stomach. I feel there is a special place in Hell for them. Dogs that are found as strays, homeless, or “free to good homes” may face the horrific and traumatic fate as a bait dog. Thus was the case with Oogy.
When Larry and his sons find him (or shall I say when OOGY found THEM, as ‘they’ say dogs find us), he was in the middle of rehabbing from a near fatal experience as a bait dog. He had lost one ear, had already gone through surgeries, had bandages on his heads, and was in pretty bad shape. The connection was instant among Oogy and the Levin boys. (I did find it interesting, by the way, the small role Larry’s wife Jennifer has in the book. Guess this is another example of dog really being man’s best friend)
With nobody to claim Oogy, Larry did not have trouble adopting him and bringing him home. I thought it was so sweet the way he talked to Oogy every day and loved that he promised never to cause him pain nor fear again. I believe dogs can understand us to an extent, and love this very real relationship this man and dog had from the very beginning.
When Oogy tears his ACL and has to go through reconstructive surgery as well as water therapy (which due to the panic he felt in the water, was modified for him elsewhere in keeping with Levin’s promise), it reminded me of LibraryLove’s Akitas, who have both undergone this surgery. The play by play was the exact same in the book, from the surgeons telling Levin what to expect, to his sleeping on the floor with Oogy to prevent him from climbing any stairs, to the water therapy. It was nice to read in familiar territory and made me feel that much closer to Oogy.
As Oogy is still alive, this story does not end with death (refreshing for an animal story/memoir), rather it is a heartwarming collection of stories, moments, and love shared between the Levin family and their very special dog. It was touching and surprising to see the sweet mannerism’s of a dog who had been through the trauma he had. A miracle itself that he survived, it is truly shocking Oogy remained as sweet and loving as he did, both with other animals (he just wanted to play with everyone) as well as humans (the bond with the twin boys will make you smile as you flip through).
If you can face the reality of the animal abuse that goes on in this world (I realize sometimes it’s easier to pretend if we don’t hear about it, it doesn’t happen), then I recommend this book for you. Oogy is a special dog who received a second chance and then loved unconditionally. I can’t wait to meet him one day when we are in a place where dogs will never have to worry about being harmed again.
leslielu67's review against another edition
5.0
I love Oogy and can't take my eyes off the cover photo! I cried the whole way through (I am a sucker for second chances), and (spoiler alert)....... Oogy does not even die in the book.
katieshoe92's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked the fact that it was about a dog (who happens to be super cute), but I feel like this book was a little slow for me.
ftykytd's review against another edition
3.0
This is a good book, and it teaches a valuable lesson. Although, the book was really hard to read; the author gave a bit too many unnecessary details. I think the book could have been better written.
wearethedepinets's review against another edition
5.0
Last year, my family and I adopted a pit bull that had been severly abused. The director of the rescue that we got Pretty Girl from had asked me if I had heard of Oogy or read the book. She said that everytime she saw his picture she thought of Pretty. When I googled Ooogy I immediately saw what she meant. Pretty Girl has the same misshapen face and crooked smile as Oogy. She has both her ears but the similarities are startling. Once my interest had been caught I made a mental note to find the book and read Oogy's story. The best part of this book is that they are still unclear on the details of Oogy's life before he was rescued so there are many unanswered questions. It is the same for our family. Pretty was found in a rural shelter already horribly disfigured so we are unclear on how she was hurt or who is responsible.
This book tells the story of a family and how they embraced the newest member of their family. It a story about overcoming bad things that happen in life and finding joy in those you love.
This book tells the story of a family and how they embraced the newest member of their family. It a story about overcoming bad things that happen in life and finding joy in those you love.
lisalikesdogs's review against another edition
3.0
Not especially well-written but so cute and just a lovely story. It did not help my incessant yearning for a dog!