Dog at the Door

Animal Ark [GB Order] #28

by Ben M. Baglio

All animals and animal lovers are welcome at the Animal Ark Veterinary Clinic.

At Animal Ark, Mandy Hope helps her parents treat animals of all shapes and sizes. Even outside the clinic, Mandy can't resist helping any animal in need.

One night, Mandy finds a distressed golden retriever tied up outside Animal Ark--with no sign of her owner. The dog is expecting puppies, and it doesn't look like there's long to wait! Who would leave a pregnant dog on a stranger's doorstep? Mandy can't believe anyone could be so cruel!

Can she find the dog's owner before the puppies arrive?

Genres: Animals, Childrens, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Dogs, Middle Grade, Juvenile

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Ben M. Baglio created the brief for two series of children's books - Dolphin Diaries and Animal Ark. Dolphin Diaries features a girl and her family from Florida, who travel around the world as marine biologists and study dolphins. Animal Ark features two children who work together to help animals and solve animal-related mysteries. The books were written by commissioned writers in the UK under Baglio's instruction using the pseudonym Lucy Daniels. Each ghostwriter is named with a 'Special Thanks' on the copyright page.

Using his real name he also wrote the book series The Pet Finders Club, featuring a group of three children who search for peoples lost pets.

Reviews

[Shelby · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars!
I thought that wasn't my type of book to read, I guess it is because I thought it was going to be better than it was while reading it. It was a lower level than what I normally read, which that was ok for me. This book was well written though. That is one this that I really liked about this book. Overall I probably wouldn't read this book again because it is a book where I would only read it once and that is it for me.

[Andie Bennett · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book isn't my favorite but it was good

[Casey Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dog at the door is a book where animal ark fights to win back this beautiful dog they found at the doorstep of their house! well that doesent work out because some lady claims it to be hers and its not and she just plans to well u have to read the rest!

[αℓyssα]

I Like This Book! lol.

[Groudonlover · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lower reading level so an easy read for me, but it was still a well written story.

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a review of the UK Hodder edition, credited to the fake author name of Lucy Daniels. In America, this would be published by Scholastic under the fake author name of Ben Baglio. It was really written by Pat Posner, who would write many books in the Animal Ark Universe. This is one of only two Animal Ark books I've given a five-star rating.

I love dogs. I usually don't read books about dogs, because they tend to get me really upset. There are upsetting things that happen here. However, Posner had a method with all of the madness. She managed to write a tale as meaningful for adults, if not more so, than for children.

People, even sane adults, will make really, really dumb mistakes when they are pushed to the breaking point, such the owner of the Dog at the Door. I thought this was handled in a realistic way, without getting too technical or preachy. I wonder if Posner had started to write this book separate from Animal Ark, but the offer of doing another Animal Ark book was too strong. As far as I know, writers of Animal Ark did not get the copyright to their books, but got a flat fee of about $30,000, or around that range.

Posner knew her dogs. I used to have a dog that refused to eat anything whenever I left the house. I stopped going on vacations because of her. And dogs do cry tears. It's rare, but I've seen it happen.

This was about the best work Jenny Gregory did of dogs during her short time as Animal Ark's illustrator. She seemed to do better at larger dogs than smaller dogs.

The book is set around Halloween, which is my favorite holiday. In the 1990s, it started to get big in the UK. It hadn't been such a big deal before, since it was so close to Bonfire Night. However, when this was published in 1997, many UK kids were going to Haloween parties and dressing up.

This is one book where I'm not sure why Scholastic decided to publish it, because it includes dealings with the RSPCA. I believe the American edition changed this to SPCA. There is no American SPCA that can do criminal investigations or bring legal charges to pet owners. I wish there was. We are desperate for an RSPCA American division. They have it in South Africa, Australia, and over a dozen other countries. The ASPCA is nowhere in the same ballpark as the RSPCA.

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

For more reviews, check out my blog: Craft-CycleSimilar to the other Animal Ark books, but definitely a little heavier than some of the other ones I have read. In this book, a pregnant golden retriever is left outside Animal Ark. Mandy and her parents work together to solve the mystery as well as help deliver and care for the puppies. The thing I don't like about this series is that it really feels like it is written by a grownup. You are under no illusion that you are inside a child's head. The children in the book speak like adults and use idioms, which kids don't really do. The children are very grown up and not very believable. I also thought the end was a bit of a stretch. It was entirely predictable, right down to what happens with Vera Morley and Kenneth Samuels, and just did not seem realistic. Overall, a nice story, but there are definitely some spots that may be difficult for some young readers. 
 
SPOILER
 
One of the puppies is stillborn and another dies within days of being born. The scenes are well-written, but it may be helpful information for parents to know before giving it to their children so they can make an informed decision on if their child could handle it or not. 
 
END SPOILER

[Callie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clearing off books from my shelf that have accumulated, this is one that I haven't had a chance to read... usually I try to have different books for kids when I am a guest teacher, but the last year hasn't had much of that.

A little dated even considering that it's from 1997 some places seemed even older than that, the writing style is a bit dated as well, but a cute story that the appropriate age group will enjoy the mystery of trying to figure out what happened and why.

[Katie Ritter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in 2 days (about half in one day and half the other.) It was a pretty interesting book. It did get very verbose and the author did use many descriptions in the story just to explain one thing that wasn't even important in that part. It was a nice book over all, I enjoyed the plot. The way the author made me imagine the story and put pictures in my head was nice.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story definitely is a mystery. It's crazy to think that both Mandy and James figured out the owner based off of clues. Kimble, Jake, Pippa and there owner Vera have been happily reunited. All because because of one gritty person to tell a owner that they cannot have a dog, when the previous landlord did. I'm glad this story had a happy ending.

[Jean Alfieri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whole series is exciting. This story was especially sweet. The real-life portrait of Kimble's dilemma is very sad but true. Mandy does a great job of managing the plight of this sweet dog. Great book for kids who love helping animals.

[Lianna Kendig · Rating 4 out of 5]

(LL)
Solid book in the series. It was really great in all the details about a dog giving birth as well as the signs of a dog going into labor and what to do. Moreover, the process of dealing with an animal that may have been abandoned and how to go about finding or not finding the owners.

[eloise (2026 winter volleyball version) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was always a sweet, tear-jerking book for me! It wasn't all just emotional though, it was also full of mystery and exciting twists and turns, (e.g. a dog nearly choking to death on a bone)! I love this series, and this is one of the best books in it!

[Danielle Schutte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good book. I didnt know some dogs didn't know how to mother. All of ours did it naturally. Very interesting book.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heartwarming story about a dog in need.

[Claire Genter · Rating 5 out of 5]

i liked when the dog got found and got a good home .also there is some sad parts that might make you sad . i would reamed this book to people who like sad things about animals.

[Akonti Emmanuel]

It's great

[Rosemary Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

If your a animal lover (like me) you'll love this book. It has a female dog in it that has a surprise. I recommend reading it.

[Kaylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the only book I read all year I was in 4th grade; much to my English teacher’s chagrin.

[Rachelreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25

[Paul Jensen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had high expectations for this book.. a pregnant golden retriever left on someone's doorstep? Think of all of the fun/emotional scenarios that could ensue! Instead, this book is completely flat and tedious. The protagonist lacks depth and personality, and the ending is rushed and completely unbelievable. This book lacks the charm and grace I had hoped from a story involving a golden retriever. Sadly disappointed.

[Alexa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It is about Mandy Hope a vet in training who finds a Golden retriever who is very pregnant. Mandy and her parents (Who are also vets) do everything in their power to help the golden retriever. She has a collar and they try to track down the owner but they can't find them. I am sure anyone would love this series once they read one book.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

One day, Mandy finds a dog outside her door that's really pregnant. She thinks that in a few days time, she will have her puppies.
In the clinic Mandy and James care for the soon to be mother.

Mandy and James wonder who this dog could belong too. They search and search and finally figure out who owns the beautiful dog. But you have to read the story to find out who it is.

I love this book!

[Lexi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!!! I read, it was about a dog abandoned..... but the dog is pregnant!!!!!!!!!

[Tina · Rating 2 out of 5]

animal ark series

[Megan]

awesome!!!!!

[Malaika · Rating 5 out of 5]

fabulously awesome book!!!!!!!!!!!1

[Yazmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book taught me to help animals

[Meagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute but sad book

[Rea]

I really enjoyed this whole series as a child. Back then I'd devour each of the books as soon as I could get my hands on them.