Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love by Larry Levin - Reviews, Discussion, Bookclubs, Lists

Apr 15, 2011 Eva Leger rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: autos-bios-memoirs, b-non-fiction, pets-animals

What if every person carried with them a tiny piece of what makes Levin (and his family) so great? A tiny piece. Would that be so hard? Imagine the difference that would make for the animals in this country. In the world.

I finished this last night and I hope I get to meet Oogy someday. I'd get in my car and drive to the Levin's today if presented with the chance. He truly is remarkable. Oogy's story may be one of the rare ones but people should be aware there are others. If not in exactly the s...more What if every person carried with them a tiny piece of what makes Levin (and his family) so great? A tiny piece. Would that be so hard? Imagine the difference that would make for the animals in this country. In the world.

I finished this last night and I hope I get to meet Oogy someday. I'd get in my car and drive to the Levin's today if presented with the chance. He truly is remarkable. Oogy's story may be one of the rare ones but people should be aware there are others. If not in exactly the same situations. (Look up Firu on FaceBook for example.)
It scares me to think how much worse these animals would have it if it weren't for people like the Levins, the people who came into Oogy's life at the animal hospital, myself, other rescue workers, pet owners who go "above and beyond", etc. It's funny but we never look at it as "above and beyond" - it's just what people should do.

Oogy's story needed to be told. All of their stories need to be told. I had one main problem with the book and aside from that my comments will all be personal.
My main problem - Levin's writing. I've tried to not think too harshly because after all Levin isn't an author. (I find it kind of amusing that when I read the first few pages I immediately thought to myself that Levin had to be a journalist or a lawyer. He's a lawyer.)
But his writing is very.... detailed. Far too detailed. Far, far, far too detailed. Like, I don't care that he sleeps on the left side of his bed, or that he turns his doorknob to the right. I don't care that he sleeps using 3/4 of a blanket. I know he microwaves his coffee for 50 seconds. I don't want to know that. I don't want to know that much about my own kids life! Good God! It makes me wonder, since I know nothing about how publishing works, if maybe someone okay'd the book and gave him a minimum page count? But no, I think this is just him. Which is fine but it doesn't work extremely well in written form.
His writing is very bare. I think it would have done good to have had someone helping him along with this.
I don't like flowery, overly descriptive writing and it's the reason I stay away from certain kinds of fiction. You usually don't meet up with that in this sort of book. Unless this is something that would bother you to great extremes I say try it. It's quick, just over 200 pages, and it's meaningful. I don't agree with everything Levin writes about but a true animal lover he is. And I also want to point out, in case he ever reads this, he has multiple reasons to be proud of those boys of his. I'm sure he knows this but if what's written about them here is true, wow. I can only hope my daughter is like them when she's their age.
I almost forgot, does anyone think color photos were left out for a reason? Because of Oogy's looks? I wish they'd been included. Oogy isn't scary looking to me. I'd be hesitant to go up to him by myself or with my daughter without first asking permission but we do that with every dog. That should be done with every dog. If the owner said it was okay I'd be all over him and so would my daughter. I think he's beautiful.

About the personal stuff. One of the doctors involved with Oogy's care had a young boy come into his hospital years earlier. (Or what I'm led to believe was years earlier - it doesn't actually say.) The young boy had a torn up pit with him, was crying, and said his dog was attacked. Dr. Bianco fixed the dog up, handed him back and went about his business. (If he did this without charging the child, which I have to assume by the info here, he should be commended, that's rare as hell these days.) Several months later the kid came back. Same dog, same injuries, same act. Dr. Bianco stepped to the kid and told him he knew he was fighting the dog. So what did he do? Did he take the dog? Call the police? Even call the kids parents? He fixed the dog up - again - handed him over and told him to not bring him back. There is nothing included here about him trying to talk to the young boy, maybe to school him on dog fighting and what happens, etc. Nothing. One can only think of what that dogs time after that entailed. I'm sure his time on this earth ended by now. Not very professional IMO but certainly nothing having to do with the writing of this book. Something I wanted to mention.

Whenever I hear someone talk about how a dog can't, or they think they can't, understand certain words I laugh. While certain breeds are more capable of learning and understanding, most, if not all, dogs will understand some words at some point.
My Lab knows all of the usuals, 'want to go for a ride?', 'treat', 'bone', 'walk', 'ball', 'toy', 'shake'. He knows an insane amount of non-usuals like 'belly scratches', 'medicine', 'Julia', 'mailbox', 'ham', 'cheese', 'apartment', and I could keep going. And these are all words that are not associated with anything. Not with any special time of day, activity, mood, nothing. He knows the words. I don't consider that all that crazy myself. Maybe because I've been around dogs all my life. Aren't animals as a whole fairly intelligent? This makes me want to write down a complete - or as complete as possible - list of all the words Scooter knows. Just to see it in front of me. I may have to do that now.

I want to meet Oogy. I want to drive to his town and sit somewhere until he walks by. I want to pet him and I want to look in his eyes. I want to give him a kiss. Maybe one day I'll get to do that. Until then I'll be happy that he's made it to where he is now, that he's surrounded by love and great people, and that I got to know a little about his life. (less)

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Dec 09, 2010 Erin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: memoir

****ing pet stories! Even when they don't die from old age at the end, they still make me cry! Oogy was no different. This story was so sweet you could rot your teeth out but no matter--I was still sucked in by the story of Oogy. Oogy was abandoned after being a bait dog for dog fighting at 2 months old. Bleeding and injured for 5 days, he was brought to an ER vet and thought to be a goner. But the doc knew he was special and wouldn't let him die, and some time after recovery, he was discovered...more

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Jul 01, 2011 Laura P. rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: animals

I enjoyed this book for reminding me that love does not always come in the package that you expect it too. Oogy was most likely used as a bait dog for dogfighting and it is a testament to his spirit that he remained friendly and amiable despite the pain he must have endured. The Levin family has a lot of heart for adopting him even though they knew of the medical difficulties they could face. Sometimes the writing style was a little too matter of fact for my taste. There was a lot of description...more

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Oct 19, 2010 Mary (BookHounds) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010-book-challenge, from-publisher-author

Oogy is such a heartwarming tale. I have never heard of the breed, Dogos, before reading this book and the author did such a nice job of making this dog jump off the pages. The story begins with the adoption of twin boys, the death of a beloved cat and finding the love of Levin family's life in the form of an abused dog. I have read many stories about dog fighting but didn't really know much about the use of "bait dogs" since I would guess the majority of them don't survive. Oogy is a very speci...more

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Jan 08, 2011 Amy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorite-books, read-in-2011, recommended-books

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. At first, I thought this book was going to contain a lot about the author's family and history, and that he was going to tell a lot about how his sons came to him and about their lives growing up. I was happy though to learn about Oogy, and all he went through. He sounds like a very special dog, and after what he went through and still being able to trust in people shows that he was even more special than most. Most dogs that are used as bait I wouldn't imagine being able to trust a human automa...more At first, I thought this book was going to contain a lot about the author's family and history, and that he was going to tell a lot about how his sons came to him and about their lives growing up. I was happy though to learn about Oogy, and all he went through. He sounds like a very special dog, and after what he went through and still being able to trust in people shows that he was even more special than most. Most dogs that are used as bait I wouldn't imagine being able to trust a human automatically if ever, but Oogy did. One thing I don't like about this book is the title about a dog only a family could love. I have never met Oogy and I love him, and I think that everyone who reads this book will love him too. I think that if the story had been told from a family perspective, as not just the author, but his wife Jennifer, and his sons Noah and Dan had each told a little of what Oogy means to them in the story, it would have really made for a great story about a family that took in a dog that was looking for a family to love him, and how that dog became one of the most important pets they would ever encounter. The fact that Oogy went through so much in his life before he was adopted by the Levin family, is why I gave this book five stars. Oogy sounds like a truly inspirational dog, and I think that his story will hopefully inspire others to give a dog who is in need of someone to love them a chance to be loved and to give love in return.

I also have to add that I wish more people wouldn't be afraid of pit bulls. I have a dog that has some pit bull in him, I am not sure how much, and he is as gentle as a teddy bear. He rarely barks, never shows his teeth, in fact he is always looking for petting and loving. I am not saying that some dog breeds are not aggressive, but I believe that the owners of a dog contribute the most as to whether the dog is aggressive or just plain loving. I had to laugh at what all Oogy tore up in his puppy hood, I have to say my Great Dane Violet has more on him than that dog. She has chewed up doors, ate holes in walls, tore up furniture, and she too learned how to open the refrigerator and get whatever it is she wants to eat out of it. (less)

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Aug 08, 2010 Cheryl/Aradanryl rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: dog

Thoroughly enjoyed this heart-warming story of not only a dog but a family. Sweet and touching, but not overly so, I'd tend to call it more a tribute to the power of second chances when one's heart is open. I can relate on so many levels, from being an adopted parent to having been priviledges to live with a remarkable and unforgettable dog.

Kudos not only to Oogy's family but also to Diane Klein, Dr. James Bianco and the staff of the Ardmore Animal Hospital who clearly went beyond and still do....more

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Jan 09, 2011 Elaine Musgrave rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: five-star, read-in-2011, animal-stories

I LOVED this book and this dog, and the wonderful family who adopted him! Oogy stole my heart and made it ache to hug him. I felt like a part of this family thanks to the very descriptive writing of Mr. Levin. The story is an easy read, I finished it in one day, but a story that will stay with me forever. I can't imagine this book not having a positive affect on anyone who reads it!

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Apr 19, 2013 James rated it 4 of 5 stars

Used as a bait dog in illegal dog fighting matches, a savagely wounded Oogy was left to die in the street only to be rescued by a police officer who took the him to a veterinary hospital. Though half of Oogy’s face was missing, the vet repaired the damage as best he could, and the Levin family soon adopted the wounded dog.

Friends and neighbors worry about the Levin’s new pet. He appears to be a four-month old pit bull, and the extensive and hideous scar tissue on the left side of Oogy’s face te...more

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Feb 28, 2013 Becca T. rated it 2 of 5 stars

Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love by Larry Levin was not what I expected it to be like. I expected a fast paced story of a dog who was abused then adopted into a loving family. I'm not saying that the dog wasn't adopted and cared for by a loving family, I'm saying that the way it was written made me want to set it down and read another book.
Oogy is a story about a young dog who was used as a fighting dog. He was the bait, the beginning of the fight. He was hurt severly and left to die. He w...more

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Feb 24, 2013 Book Concierge rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: concierge, dogs, library

I will start by saying that I am not a dog person, and that despite that I have loved other “dog books.” I feel like a curmudgeon giving this a low rating, but I just didn’t connect to this story at all.

It began when the Levin family took their ancient and ailing cat to the local Animal Hospital for its final trip there. When they arrived, a worker was about to take a white puppy with a badly damaged face and head out for a walk. But the puppy immediately came over to Levin’s twin boys and it w...more

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Oct 21, 2012 Meghan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: dogs, nonfic-stories

This isn't a terrible book. I might even have loved it when I was 12.

But... I just don't get why this book was written.

Oogy, with the exception of the trauma and abuse that caused his physical deformities, is an AVERAGE dog in every way. Mr. Levin mentions, constantly, that he is special but I didn't see a single thing here that set him apart from any dog I've ever known.

Since this was far from the worst book I've ever read, I'll try to be kind here.

We love our dogs. We believe, in our heart o...more This isn't a terrible book. I might even have loved it when I was 12.

But... I just don't get why this book was written.

Oogy, with the exception of the trauma and abuse that caused his physical deformities, is an AVERAGE dog in every way. Mr. Levin mentions, constantly, that he is special but I didn't see a single thing here that set him apart from any dog I've ever known.

Since this was far from the worst book I've ever read, I'll try to be kind here.

We love our dogs. We believe, in our heart of hearts, that OUR dog is THE MOST SPECIAL canine on the entire planet. I own a special dog, who inherited his place from a very special dog. I bet your dog is special, too.

But no, I don't really want to read about your dog unless he does something more extraordinary than kiss the kids, sleep on your bed, or despise his crate. Unless you have great story-telling skills, I get to see those things every single day right here, in my house.

And if your dog gets on the table during a party, demands attention like a spoiled child, or yanks and growls at people out of frustration (even if he's actually friendly) AND you think it's cute or sweet, that goes double. Get yourself a trainer and leave me out of it.

My point is our dogs are special to US. Most of us don't own Lassie or Rin Tin Tin, and yet we carry pictures of our dogs around in our wallets and bore friends with anecdotes. We love them, we can't help it. But in no way does that make my dog better than yours, or mean that my dog is particularly special just because he knows more tricks or looks cuter. I LOVE my dog, I reserve the right to think all the other dogs are inferior. But that doesn't make it TRUE.

And that, I think, is the trap Mr. Levin fell into. His love for his dog, and his heartache for the early trauma his dog endured, blinded him to the fact that every single dog lover probably owns a dog equally as special, in each dog's own way, as his Oogy. There's no doubt he loves his dog, or that his dog had a tough hand at the beginning. But I'm just not feeling the 'special' part about this story.

Not a terrible book, but one I'm glad I didn't actually buy. Decent fluffy rental, but not worth an investment.

A rent, not a buy, type of book.

My final (less nice) note: I'll like these books much better when they leave the animal mind-readers out of the narrative. I didn't need doggy ESP to figure out why Oogy hated his crate. Not ONE person (vets, animal care professionals, dog rehabilitators, take your pick) thought, "jeez, maybe the crate causes a sort of doggy PTSD, and he isn't a good candidate for crate training"? REALLY?? And a dog trainer thought an ill-behaved dog and a besotted owner was the mark of a healthy relationship? Riiiiiiiiiight. (less)

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Oct 14, 2012 Kate rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: you-are-woman-hear-you-roar, biography

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Larry Levin loves his one-eared dog. And that's wonderful. Poor Oogy was used as a bait dog by some asswipe dog fighting jerks, and, fortunately for the dog, wonderful people stepped in to save his life, and then Larry's family adopted him. After that tale is told, there are many, many mildly heartwarming moments in Oogy's story, just like if I told you about our dog, Mandy, you'd find it mildly heartwarming.However, you'd probably not want me to write an entire book about it, because mildly hea...more Larry Levin loves his one-eared dog. And that's wonderful. Poor Oogy was used as a bait dog by some asswipe dog fighting jerks, and, fortunately for the dog, wonderful people stepped in to save his life, and then Larry's family adopted him. After that tale is told, there are many, many mildly heartwarming moments in Oogy's story, just like if I told you about our dog, Mandy, you'd find it mildly heartwarming.However, you'd probably not want me to write an entire book about it, because mildly heartwarming gets a little threadbare after a story or two. SPOILERS from HERE ON OUT! Oogy chews up all kinds of stuff, but then again, LOTS of dogs chew up all kinds of stuff. Oogy sleeps with the Larry's kids. Again, so do lots of dogs. Oogy gets called "good boy. Good doggie" a lot. Oogy goes for walks and has to deal with restrictive leash laws. All of this is mildly, aw how cute. Or, yeah, we've got leash laws, too. Big deal. Oogy is a Dogo--a rare south american breed bred to defend owners and livestock against pumas. Lots of people confuse him for a pitbull, so people are afraid of him, but they don't need to be. I don't know if I'd be afraid of pitbulls in general, but a pitbull that looks like he'd been in a few fights, well. I might be a little scared of any dog that looked like it had been in a fight. Oogy, however, is totally a sweetheart, so if you ever run into Oogy, DON'T WORRY. YOU'RE SAFE! Larry also relates the way Oogy changes his life to the loss of his sister to lymphoma or something like that when he(Larry) was only three years old. And he and his wife adopt two boys who feel like Oogy is their third adopted brother. Mildly heartwarming, as I said. It is also full of lots of helpful detail, like a carefully crafted description of Larry's morning routine that was so tediously precise that I ALMOST stopped reading right there. He pours coffee in the coffee filter in the pot . . . Presses the on switch . . . Tell me, Larry! What roast do you use? Dark? Blonde? How long is the brewing cycle? what is the water temp when it begins brewing? Anyway. It's a nice book. I shouldn't complain so much. Larry is, I am CONVINCED a VERY good, nice, soul. If I had a choice between having dinner with Snooki or Larry, I would DEFINITELY choose Larry, because he is an extremely kind human being, as this book fully, amply demonstrates. He makes the world a better place. But this book was just okay. My boss lent this book to me, which made me feel like I'd be in trouble if I didn't read it. So, we can check this one off the "make my boss happy list" and move on to more meaty reads.(less)

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Oct 11, 2012 Rachel rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: animals, non-fiction

It's always nice when a pet memoir doesn't end with the pet dying. So, extra star for that.

As a puppy, Oogy was used as bait for fighting dogs and was discovered by the police, torn up and dying, in an empty house. By sheer luck, instead of taking him to the shelter where he would have been euthanized, they took him to the Ardmore Animal Hospital whose director determined that he would be saved. Shortly after the initial surgery to repair his face, the Levin family was at Ardmore losing their be...more

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Jul 08, 2012 Julie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I was worried this book would be too sad, but it is a book full of hope and has a positive message. It starts when a animal loving family go to the vets to put their old ill cat to sleep, they are leapt upon by a puppy whose personality bowls them over and it seems as if he has been waiting for them to come through the door, they fall in love with him there and then and are surprised he has no owner they ask if they can adopt him and are told yes. This starts the story of a bond between the fami...more

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Sep 21, 2011 Fiona rated it 2 of 5 stars

Sweet story, but not a great book.

Author spends way too much time in the first half of the book talking in far too great detail about things other than the dog on the cover. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind hearing about the author's children a bit, but it quickly got tedious and dull. I really don't read books about dogs to find out how you put a child's car-seat in your vehicle.
Also, I get what the author was going for with the first chapter, showing his morning routine with Oogy and his fam...more Sweet story, but not a great book.

Author spends way too much time in the first half of the book talking in far too great detail about things other than the dog on the cover. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind hearing about the author's children a bit, but it quickly got tedious and dull. I really don't read books about dogs to find out how you put a child's car-seat in your vehicle.
Also, I get what the author was going for with the first chapter, showing his morning routine with Oogy and his family, but it suffered from far too much detail. Overall, I found the writing to be pretty sub-par. I had the urge to skim the text frequently.

Most of the book does concentrate on the story of Oogy, which was interesting enough, though little of the author's thoughts seemed all that new to me. And it was very frustrating to read about the author making so many mistakes raising his dog...without every acknowledging most of them. He came off as a complete canine newbie (who is barely any more educated by the end of the book.)
But it all turned out okay, so I'm not pulling my hair out TOO much.

Still, I cannot stand the idea that the author seems to be operating under: that there is no other way to raise a dog besides either with "fear, pain, and deprivation" (which he equates with the concept of "discipline," showing his unnuanced and wrong-headed education on the subject) or, as the author does, to give the dog no discipline, no boundaries, and pretty much let the dog run roughshod over the house and almost constantly dictate the behavior of the human part of the family.

I also found it utterly frustrating that after Oogy "slips his collar" and runs off the author apparently doesn't ever change to one of the styles of collar a dog can't slip free from, because a few chapters later the dog has slipped free again! This seems utterly stupid to me. And it isn't so small a thing: unless your dog is trained to without fail freeze on command, slipping loose can be very dangerous in a city full of cars, people who steal dogs, and people who fear any "pit bull looking" dog and can't read canine body language, and might (esp. without the dog's owner present) misinterpret an overexcited friendly dog as an aggressive one. --A type, sadly, that so many people the author talks about throughout the book seem to be. Thankfully, they also happened to be the unarmed type.

It was, however, very cool to read about a breed I had never heard of before, and Oogy does seem like a very cool dog.
There are also parts of this book, where the author talks about public life with a dog perceived to be a pit bull, that I found affecting. I'm not new to the level of prejudice and ignorance that people have about this breed, but this was a fairly depressing reminder.

So if you like this sort of book it's worth a read...if you've already read the other, better books (for one amazing book, I recommend Last Dog on the Hill: The Extraordinary Life of Lou by Steve Duno) in the "dog story" genre. I'm glad I checked this out from the library; it isn't a one to buy. (less)

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Jun 20, 2011 Pamela Pickering rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: animals-pets, memoirs, non-fiction

3.75 stars.
After a very slow first chapter, I really enjoyed this heartfelt homage to Oogy, a treasured family pet. Oogy was one of the thousands of dogs used for baiting in dog fighting. The author truly has felt a true love for the Oogy and I always wonder why many are unable to understand why certain people are drawn to pets who are injured, sick, or debilitated. I think these people empathize with these animals and wonder, "Would anyone be there for me if I were maimed or sick?" This book p...more

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Apr 19, 2011 Sue-isb Y rated it 4 of 5 stars

Oogy by Larry Levin based on a true story with a family and a dog named 'Oogy'. The book mainly talks about Oogy and the family who took him home. The main character, Oogy was used as a bait dog for dog fighting and as a result, he is missing an ear and half of his face was covered in scar tissue. Not only he got injured physically but also he got injured mentally. The book describes how one family changes its life by raising a pet. Despite his pain and hurt from people, his true love to the fam...more

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Apr 13, 2011 Gaby rated it 3 of 5 stars

Oogy is the fourth book that I've read about dogs and humane treatment of animals recently. More than anything, Oogy is a book about the friendship and love between a dog and his person. Larry Levin talks about how Oogy was first discovered and how he came into their lives. It's hard to imagine how a puppy at 2 months was used as bait and left for dead - and then survived without losing his warm, caring nature.

That's what happened to Oogy. Mistaken for a pitbull mix, Oogy was treated as "bait"...more

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Feb 05, 2011 Michael rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: cannonball-read-iii

Full Disclosure: My good friends at Hachette Book Group provided me with a review copy of this book, upon my request. Special thanks go to Valerie Russo, for facilitating the procurement of this book.

Household pets are amazing. They're resilient, they're cuddly, and they're capable of things that even you wouldn't understand. (For the life of me, I don't know why my kittens nibble on the edges of books, outside of my theory that they are indeed trying to read them.) The language barrier between...more Full Disclosure: My good friends at Hachette Book Group provided me with a review copy of this book, upon my request. Special thanks go to Valerie Russo, for facilitating the procurement of this book.

Household pets are amazing. They're resilient, they're cuddly, and they're capable of things that even you wouldn't understand. (For the life of me, I don't know why my kittens nibble on the edges of books, outside of my theory that they are indeed trying to read them.) The language barrier between an owner and their lovely companion is never a problem, as both understands the other through an evolving process of discourse. Some pets pick up good behaviors, some pets pick up bad behaviors. Put a pet with the wrong owner, and they would most likely pick up traits and commands that the right owner wouldn't exactly approve of. Abuse a pet, and they may never trust a human again, thus leading to a long chain of shelters, aborted homes, and the growing probability of being euthanized, the ultimate sign of giving up on an animal. However, not all animals who have suffered at the hands of cruelty are unfriendly "beasts" that will never have a home. Oogy is living proof.

According to Larry Levin's chronology, Oogy was two months old when he was used as a "bait dog": easy competition to train up tougher dogs willing to fight. The bigger dog presumably latched onto Oogy's face and shook him so hard he fractured his jaw severely and turned his face into a bloody mess. After lackluster care at an emergency veterinary clinic that assumed he'd never have a home or survive to even have hope of doing so, Diana Klein rescued this dog and brought him to Ardmore Animal Hospital in Ardmore, Pa. Once he was on his feet, the staff of AAH learned that Oogy, despite his rough and tumble beginnings, was still very much a love sponge. He loved all, and all loved him, and even if he never found a home he'd always have Ardmore to fall back on.

Meanwhile, Larry Levin and his family were preparing to say goodbye to their family pet, a cat named Buzzy. The day he and his two sons brought the cat to the vet's office, they met Oogy. In customary fashion, he sniffed and licked and loved his way into their hearts. They had found their new pet and they knew it was fated to be. Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love is a story of love and redemption, as Levin chronicles his family's adoption process (he and his wife adopted their twin boys, as well as Oogy), the daily routine around the house, and ultimately the process of getting Oogy adjusted to his new home. Jumping back and forth between past and present, Larry ultimately weaves a tale of how where you come from doesn't always determine who you are. It's the people you surround yourself with, the people you develop with, that truly make you who you are.

As a pet owner, and as a reader, I enjoyed this book immensely. It's not a page turner, but that's not a knock against its natural pacing. It'll take a little while to read it, but ultimately it's worth the trip. Personally, I'd like to hear more about Oogy and would love another volume of Levin family stories to go along with all of the heartwarming antics of this extremely lovable dog. For now though, I'd strongly suggest picking up Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love.(less)

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Jan 30, 2011 Raven rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: memoirs, escapist-book-club

I started this book and could not put it down. It was given to me as a gift from my secret Santa at work and since she knows just how important my dogs are to me, everything so got for me was for me to share with my puppies.

Oogy is the story of a young dog that by chance is adopted and loved by the one family that probably needed him most. His "dad," Larry Levin, was not able to find out he exact origin, but was able to figure out that Oogy has been used as a bait dog for dog fighting and had mo...more

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Jan 13, 2011 Kim rated it 2 of 5 stars

I really wanted to love this book--it had all the traits of a tearjerker--abused puppy left for dead by dog fighters, rescued by a kind hearted veterinarian's assistant, adopted by family, and is the most loving dog despite the past abuse. And the story is quite touching. However, I couldn't get past how it was written, too many needless details. It was like the author read a "how to write a memoir" book and threw in all the techniques--start with foreshadowing, then rewind and tell the story, i...more

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Jan 11, 2011 Nathalie Brault rated it 4 of 5 stars

If you are an animal lover you'll simply adore this book,
I own 4 dogs and just couldn't put this book down, but since I have other occupations in my day I had to reason myself and do it.
This book is about more then love, it's about understanding dog's behavior, trust and companionship through life and best of all, true friendship between a man and his dog .
This is the story of a small fighting pup given to one fighting dog to train and meant to die in the procedure because he's a weak one in th...more If you are an animal lover you'll simply adore this book,
I own 4 dogs and just couldn't put this book down, but since I have other occupations in my day I had to reason myself and do it.
This book is about more then love, it's about understanding dog's behavior, trust and companionship through life and best of all, true friendship between a man and his dog .
This is the story of a small fighting pup given to one fighting dog to train and meant to die in the procedure because he's a weak one in the batch, because these people have no heart.
Fighting dog owners have no rules and no hearts and they live for the money and the more the better. And the dogs are their bread and butter maker. So there is no place for the weak and the feeble.
So this little pup was meant to die the horrible death of a bait dog, but somehow did not and for 4-5 days just lay theres in his cage with a head wound so big, that when the police did a shake down on the place, he could not believe what he saw. So he took the poor little thing to the nearest clinic for him to be treated to at least be helped and from there a gentle lady vet took care of that little pooch and with all her might and know how and the help of her boss, they succeeded in keeping this little miracle alive.But this is just the beginning of the story, what follows is so beautiful.

Like when this puppy encounters his adoptive family which are coming in to put their ill cat to sleep, while the puppy is going out for a walk, completely by accident and finally goes to live with them a month later, what a happy day, he gets a new name, Oogie.What stories they have to tell from then on. And then the owner makes researches on how Oogi was a bait dog and we really learn the truth of what happened to the poor thing. How he came to name Oogie that way, He learned that Oogy's race was a Dogo and it's very rare and expensive, and in the book you will learn everything there is to know about the race.. The 2 adoptive boys in this story learn about the joy of taking care of
adopting this pet and make him a family member and they comprehend their adoptive situation in a familiar way as in their parents taking them in for a better life as in taking Oogy for a better life.
But through it's yound life Oogy will have to go through more pain as he'll have cross ligaments twice, and his face will need reconstruction because his face is growing so it's stretching the skin and he's in terrible pain all day and all night. Oogy is so close to the boys and Their father, they're almost inseparable. And when the boys leave for college, Oogy leaves his scent on their clothes the night before so they can remember him. Funny no?
But this book is filled with small details like this, Larry the writer takes care of letting you know everything from beginning to end. You fee as though your are part of their family, as if you had been there.
I really loved this book, mainly because it was candy to read,
but also because knowing that other humans take care of abused animals out there, makes me feel warm inside and then I know that I'm not alone doing it.
I'm so tired of seeing all those pet factories or hearing about people keeping their dogs tied down to 4 feet chains for 24 hours a day, or worse.
That when I read about a guy that does some good to a pet, it puts some balm on my heart, and this is exactly what this book does to me.
This is a book that I'll reread often.(less)

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Jan 10, 2011 Andrea rated it 4 of 5 stars

There have only been approximately 50 billion dog books since Marley & Me came out. I have refused to read most of them, but when I saw the cover of this book, I bought it. I was curious mostly, though my other excuse is that it was before Christmas and I was feeling sappy and wanted a book to match my mood.

Anyway, this one did it. I loved the story itself--the dog, the people who went out of their way to save the dog, the family that saved the dog, and of course, how the dog became part of...more

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Dec 29, 2010 Wendy Buell rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Of course I wanted to love this book. I LOVE this family (site unseen and not knowing them at all) for adopting this "ugly" mutilated dog and giving him a chance. Many people's ignorant fears of the "pit bull" would have them fleeing from the most beautifully cared for pit bulls, never mind an abused one left to die with much of it's face and head destroyed.

The book bored me. Overly detailed and sweet, not particularly well written and quite tedious. The family however are lovely, kind, caring....more

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Dec 19, 2010 April rated it 4 of 5 stars

OOGY: THE DOG ONLY A FAMILY COULD LOVE by Larry Levin is a touching debut novel about animal rescue. It is a heartwarming story of love , redemption and how a pet can survive against all odds with the love of a good family. It has adoption, animal rescue,love and redemption. Oogy(meeting ugly) is a rescue dog who was horribly disgiured. He was used as bait for dog fighting.He was find and brought into the after hours Vet office. Covered with scars, missing an ear, and near death. He had a slim c...more

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Nov 25, 2010 Jessica Stanton rated it 4 of 5 stars

As an animal lover and doggy-momma to two American Staffordshire Terriers, the story of Oogy was destined for my bookshelf the moment I heard about it.
The story tells of the journey of a young dogo argentino pup. One of the breeds commonly referred to as "pit bulls," dogos are strong, loving, loyal, intelligent, and unfortunately, often abused and misunderstood. Although exactly where Oogy came from is unclear, he is horribly injured when he arrives at the animal hospital, and the consensus is t...more

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Nov 02, 2010 Sharon rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: animal-rescue, dogs

When Larry Levin and his two sons take their beloved and very ill cat Buzzy for his final trip to the vet, the last thing they expect is to fall in love with a puppy. Especially not a puppy who has been used as a bait dog ... a dog who will not fight against other dogs who have been trained to kill it.

Yet, that is precisely what happens. The dog, whom they name Oogy, has only one ear and a face so badly scarred that the animal requires major plastic surgery. Yet, the Levin family sees something...more

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Nov 01, 2010 KDNH rated it 4 of 5 stars

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 thou...more 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.

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Oct 13, 2010 Brenda Casto rated it 5 of 5 stars

I am an animal lover to the core, and when I saw the cover for this book I knew I would be hooked before I ever read the first sentence. How could you not fall in love with the the face of Oogy, his missing ear and lopsided face, along with those eyes, the saying that eyes are the windows to the soul couldn't be more apropos for this dog.
Oogy's story is a story of survival, an inspirational look at a dog and the family that is fortunate enough to be blessed with such an amazing dog. Oogy was use...more I am an animal lover to the core, and when I saw the cover for this book I knew I would be hooked before I ever read the first sentence. How could you not fall in love with the the face of Oogy, his missing ear and lopsided face, along with those eyes, the saying that eyes are the windows to the soul couldn't be more apropos for this dog.
Oogy's story is a story of survival, an inspirational look at a dog and the family that is fortunate enough to be blessed with such an amazing dog. Oogy was used as a bait dog, when he was rescued,and taken to a clinic, he really was a hopeless case, not likely to be saved, but the staff at the clinic, one woman in particular Diane Kleinn was determined to do what they could for him, and he survived.
Then the Leven's come along, actually to have their beloved cat euthanized, and Oogy is being walked thru the waiting room and he chooses them. This book tells us the remarkable story, we read Oogy's antics, his true love of people, and the bond that forms between owner and pet.
The author did an amazing job in the telling of Oogy's story, it was more like listening to an old friend tell about his dog, you can feel the love that Mr. Levin has for this dog, as well as the special bond Oogy has with the twin sons.
Parts of this story were sad, it was hard reading Oogy's condition when he first came to the clinic, most dogs that suffer such horrendous treatment don't survive, fortunately Oogy did. That being said I would label this a feel good book, because it will put a smile on your face and I for one will never forget Oogy's story. I would have to say that I do disagree with the title I think it should have been Oogy a dog that everyone will love!
Thanks so much Mr. Levin for sharing Oogy's story, I only hope that we get to read more about him.

One a scale of 1 to 5 I easily give Oogy a 10 its a heartwarming story that every animal lover will enjoy!

Even though I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher it in no way influenced my opinion of this book! (less)

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May 09, 2013 Rochelle Grill rated it 5 of 5 stars

Oogy is the story about a puppy that was abused and a family that had hearts big enough to love the puppy, no matter how he lived. Oogy was able to bond with his new family even though he was mistreated by humans. The story is about how he fit into the family and about the trust and bond he had with the Levins. Oogy had a positive effect on almost everyone and helped the family through tough times. Oogy brought alot of love to the Levins and they loved him back.
This book really kept my interest....more

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topics	posts	views	last activity
Doggie Book Club: Intro	10	14	Feb 29, 2012 11:59am
Doggie Book Club: Welcome/How It Works	2	7	Feb 08, 2012 03:45am

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