The Fast and the Furriest

by Andy Behrens

Meet Kevin Pugh, 12-year-old couch potato. Now meet Cromwell, his part beagle, part potato chip dog. Kevin’s looking forward to spending his summer doing as little as possible. Unfortunately, Kevin’s father, former Chicago Bears star player/super-sports fanatic, Howie Pugh, feels differently. So does Cromwell, who has suddenly and mysteriously developed a fascination with agility competitions: running up seesaws, leaping over hurdles, soaring through hoops (sometimes). If he has to do anything, Kevin would rather do something for newly obsessed Cromwell, but dog agility lessons do not constitute a sport in his father’s mind, so football camp it is. Until some well-timed events collide, literally, and soon Kevin’s found a way for he and Cromwell to take classes, and the upstart Team Cromwell is born.

Andy Behrens has written a hilarious novel with a dry-as-dirt protagonist who’s constantly tortured by the goings-on around him. It’s also a charming story about a boy and his dog, as well as a meaningful and heartfelt look at a relationship between a boy and his father who don’t always see eye-to-eye.

Genres: Fiction, Middle Grade, Animals, Sports, Dogs, Realistic Fiction, Humor

247 pages, Hardcover

First published March 9, 2010

About the author

Andy Behrens is the author of two previous children’s books. He lives in Chicago with his wife and daughter.

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by my Goodreads friend Banny Kirsten Marie, who knows I like books about dogs. Though the story is written for kids from 9 to 12, it can be enjoyed by dog lovers of any age. 😊

*****

As the story opens, it's summer break for Chicago schools, and 12-year-old Kevin Pugh is looking forward to lazy days in his basement - playing video games, watching television, munching cheesy snacks.....



…..and hanging out with his beagle-mix Cromwell, a dog so lazy he could be mistaken for a dog-shaped throw pillow.



Kevin's getting started on his torpid summer.....channel surfing.....when he comes across The Animal Channel's broadcast of 'The Purina Incredible Dog Challenge' - a canine agility competition.



Amazingly, Cromwell is galvanized by the program. He sits up, stares at the television, and starts blinking, shaking, and panting with excitement.



Kevin is shocked that Cromwell moved, then flabbergasted when the chubby beagle-mix leaps off the couch and dashes around the room, knocking things down and leaving chaos in his wake. After Kevin cleans up, Cromwell presents his leash for a walk - an unheard of occurrence.



Cromwell proceeds to run, jump, and bounce through the backyard, ending with a jump into the tire swing....where he gets stuck. Impressed with Cromwell's newfound energy, Kevin decides to email a canine training school he saw advertised on TV - 'Paw Patch, Inc. - Obedience Training and Dog Agility' - on Cromwell's behalf.

The facility's owner, Elka Brandt - who looks like a pirate on her TV commercials - emails back immediately.....addressing Cromwell. Elka congratulates Cromwell for leading Kevin to Paw Patch and informs the dog that sessions cost $200.



Kevin asks his parents if they'll fund Cromwell's agility classes, but this presents a problem. Kevin's dad is Howie Pugh, a former Chicago Bears linebacker who's now a football analyst, local sports hero, and the most competitive creature on Earth. Howie's a good father, but he wants his kids to be athletes.

Kevin's 10-year-old sister Izzy fits the bill, being a soccer superstar.



Kevin, however - who's chunky and uncoordinated - doesn't want to do sports. Howie doesn't seem to get this, though, and makes a deal with his son: if Kevin goes to summer football camp Howie will CONSIDER paying for Cromwell's agility lessons.



Football camp doesn't go too well and it looks like Cromwell won't be going to Paw Patch. Then Kevin's best friend Zach - who's very impressed with the beagle-mix - makes an offer.



He'll pony up the $200 for dog school and become Cromwell's 'manager' - recouping his money when Cromwell becomes famous. Zach even has 'Team Cromwell' shirts made - for himself, Kevin, and the dog.



So.....Cromwell goes to agility classes, with Elka Brandt as his dog whisperer (literally) and Kevin as his trainer/handler. Kevin and Cromwell spend a lot of time running, exercising, and practicing on the doggie obstacle course, which includes: running up and down an A-frame ramp; jumping over three hurdles; racing through a fabric cylinder; leaping over three more hurdles; dashing up an incline, across a plank, then down an incline; racing through a U-shaped tunnel; jumping onto a table; weaving through a series of poles; running up and down a seesaw; then.....for the final obstacle.....jumping through a hoop.







All this - and a proper diet - shapes up both Cromwell and Kevin, and the beagle-mix is entered in the 'Paw Patch Invitational' agility competition.....whose winner goes on to the 'Midwest Kennel Club Championship.' To find out what happens, you'll have to read the book.



This is a charming story filled with engaging characters, lots of humor, and a heartwarming finale. It's a great book for kids.....and adults who want a light frothy read. Highly recommended.

You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....

[Karyn Bowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this on audio as a quick read and for something relaxing. Even though there were times I wanted to box Kevin's ears, I was glad that I stuck through it. It was a fun, light=hearted read that made me smile and laugh most of the time.

[Emmaleigh · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I first got the list of the Sunshine State books and researched the books I was really excited about this one. It proved itself to be more disappointing to me. I started this book well over a week ago and I am surprised it took me over a week to read it since it's a mere 250 pages and written for fourth grade reading levels. I had a difficult time getting into the book first of all because it wasn't my style of book, perhaps if I was an elementary school boy I might enjoy it but it was so slow. I am concerned my students are going to want to stick with this book either because of the slow start. It's also quite predictable at every turn, which was to be expected. However, even though a book could very well be predictable, the writing style could still keep you engaged but Behrens did not do that. I read other reviews of how humorous the book was and didn't find myself amused. Once I finally decided to stick with this book and finish it out for the sake of my students I would still recommend it to them because it fits their lives perfectly and it has a good moral story that they can connect to. However, I was really displeased with the father figure in the book and was hoping for more supportive parents. It was cute but I am glad I am done reading it.

[Jami · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute young adult book. I found myself really rooting for Cromwell and Kevin and was engaged in the outcome of the agility contests. It was a bit hokey and predictable in spots, but that didn't detract from the story for me. I thought the author did a good job developing the family relationships. And come on, who can't like a book about a beagle!?!?!?

[Josh Newhouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute, unconventional underdog sports story... Didn't really buy the dads story arc but overall a fun, funny, fast, furry read!

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because I love my 7th grade niece more than anything in the world. She needed help with her language arts assignment and called me upset because she was struggling with plot and theme and conflict. So I read it in a night so I can help her with her homework. Hashtag Aunt Life.

[Calvin Gunther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kevin and Cromwell end up winning the western kennel club championship in dog agility.

[Lorelei Ponto · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly loved reading this book. I could really connect with the book, I used to do agility with my dog a lot and this book shows how Kevin gets involved in agility with his dog Cromwell. I really found my self cheering on Cromwell and Kevin in the adventures and obstacles that they went through.

Most of this story starts of in Kevin's home, where Kevin would always lay around and be lazy. There were also my parts in this book where the setting took places in dog agility competitions, they were spread out a long ways across the state.

Kevin is one of the main characters in this book, he is very lazy and does not want to get off the couch most days. Even if Kevin found the ambition to get off the couch he was not very good at sports, which was frowned on by his father. Kevin's father was a former Chicago player and his sister a very successful soccer player. Kevin however just enjoys playing video games with his dog Cromwell, until one day a commercial came on for dog agility. Kevin was automatically hooked, he suddenly wanted to go for walks and jump over things. As you can guess going from sitting on the couch to being active wasn't easy for him and he wasn't very good at it. The two get help from a local trainer that believes in them and is willing to help them out. Kevin and Cromwell get very serious about the sport and become very good at it.

This book takes place in modern times. It tells in parts of this book that Kevin uses the internet and watches TV, also that dog agility competitions were not very advertised or did not exist in older times. The main place that this book was in Chicago, and in Chicago it took place mostly was in Kevin's house, and occasionally the football field, and in dog agility competitions.

I would recommend this book to multiple people. I believe this would be very good for younger kids to read, but also adults. While is is an pretty easy read it still captures the interest of people that are older also.

[Cinnamon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kevin has always been absolutely horrible at sports. He can't catch, kick, or run to save his life. And, in his family, not playing sports is almost a sin. His father is a former Chicago Bear and his sister is the best young soccer player in Chicago, maybe even Illinois. Kevin prefers his sedentary lifestyle. He and his dog, Cromwell, are just fine on the couch playing video games. Until one when a commercial comes on for a dog agility competition. Cromwell sees the commercial and he is hooked. Suddenly, he wants to go for walks and runs and jump over things. Of course, he is so chubby, that he is more likely to fall down and run into things. But Cromwell doesn't care; he just loves to go. Kevin isn't as enthusiastic at first, but as Cromwell leads him farther from home, he starts to see the beauty in the sport. Eventually, the pair make their way to an agility trainer in their neighborhood. Elka is strange but she believes in the pair. Now if only Kevin can get others to believe in them. But his toughest critic turns out to be himself.

Nice story, good characters, great- if far-fetched- ending.

Another great sports underdog story:

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was a good story. Some pretty funny 13 year olds. A strange dog trainer lady and a couple of parents - a little over the top.

The young boy that the story is about is, Kevin, who's father is a famous Chicago Bears football player. His father does not believe a sport is a REAL sport unless it involves some kind of a ball. Kevin has a younger sister who is a socker jock.

Kevin and his dog, Cromwell,a beagle mixed breed, are basically couch potatoes untill they happen to catch the last few minutes of an Dog Agility Contest on the Animal Planet. Cromwell comes to life and is glued to the screen as he watches the winning dog go through the course. It changes their lives.

Besides the picture on the cover - who could resist, right? I chose this book for the title. My 13 year old grandson has talked about "The Fast and the Furious" movie, since he saw it when he was 6.

[JoJo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part 2 of my 2018 Kick-Off Reread-athon: "The Fast and the Furriest," one of the best and most inspiring underdog stories with more heart than Cromwell has fat. It'll have you cheering, guffawing, and fired up to turn your own lazy dogs into dog agility champions (or the other way around). I absolutely loved Zach's character and all of his hilarious commentary, as well as Izzy, whose bubblegum-talk could never mask the sheer amount of her love and support for her brother and their dog. While a quick read, it is a rollercoaster ride of a book, complete with training montages, epic fails, and miraculous transformations.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Kevin Pugh's dog, Cromwell, watches a dog agility competition on tv and discovers a new passion, couch potato Kevin also has to develop his skills as an athlete. Kevin's former football star father adds humor and family dynamics to the story. Fun for sports and animal fans alike.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the Chicago references. Though predictable, still a really good story about not giving up and having confidence even when you are the underdog.

[寿理 宮本 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another book that I didn't like until toward the end, just because the setup felt so horrible: child (Kevin) of a former football superstar (Howie Pugh!!!) is pressured by the same to excel not just in sports but IDEALLY football, made worse by the fact his little sister (Izzy) is a sports genius (even if at soccer—the OTHER football). I became exasperated when he was given an out to NOT attend a football camp, but he agreed to it for plot reasons.

It actually turns out fine, though, since it's one of those lessons about overbearing parents but also finding something you DO excel at—ideally, something that your parents approve of, but if they don't, keep at it, because they may come around in the end. (Optimistic, for certain, since in real life there's all too much anecdotal evidence that they often won't.)

The main reason I took off a star is the premise is a bit farfetched: Kevin's beyond-couch-potato dog Cromwell spontaneously has an epiphany when seeing a commercial for a "dog agility" training school and becomes obsessed with being active. Said dog had apparently been immovable for such a long time that LITERALLY NOBODY believed Kevin when he said he would walk the dog... because that is not a dog that walks.

Yet this same dog somehow becomes so fast (hence the title!) that he manages to break the track record even over an established champion dog—the same dog in the commercial that inspired Cromwell. Really? I'm surprised the poor dog didn't once have complications from all the sudden activity after a "few years" of INactivity!

Also, sure, dog time is much more compressed than human time, so I can believe the story taking place over about 6-7 weeks, but the changes just seem a bit drastic. Granted, I have no frame of reference for healthy amounts of weight loss, but what the book describes of Kevin seems like it would take much longer than that to pull off, even for a twelve-year-old. I could believe "over summer," possibly, but the specifically dog-centric parts are mentioned *by the characters* as taking place over a month.

...I don't know. I'd have to see a scientific trial with actual twelve-year-olds undergoing exactly the same regimen in the book to be convinced (maybe it IS in his genes?), but it feels just on the fringe of believable, teetering over into unbelievable territory.

The ending prior to the last chapter is pretty good, at least, for the type of story this is—I can TOTALLY believe that he's a twelve-if-not-thirteen-year-old-by-then. The last chapter feels like it's dragging the story out, despite the "soak in the success" moment of it, but I guess Behrens just wanted a scene where Kevin shows his dad what he's ACTUALLY good at. Fair.

Recommended for dog lovers (and sports-haters?? haha). The discussion of "anything that does not involve a ball is not a sport (although hockey counts because pucks are like metric for balls)" is funny, in a "I can believe that coming from a football dad" way, though it's a bit of a long book to read just to get that gem, so I think loving dogs is mandatory. Luckily, I doubt this is a title one would pick up if one does NOT like dogs!

Edit to add: Also, Zach's involvement as financier... even if I considered this book as contemporary (and, being a certain age, I do still kind of think 2010 is recent), it's a BIT weird thinking of a TWELVE-YEAR-OLD being such a skinflint as to save ALL HIS MONEY such that he does in fact have $3,806.16 in the bank. At its LEAST adjusted-for-inflation value, that still feels like a LOT for any minor other than a child of benevolent rich parents to have, especially one who doesn't work! Sure, that may be a month or two salary for an average adult, but a child? Hard to swallow.

...I don't know. I don't have a child, much less one who gets an allowance, so I can't say how unrealistic this is, but it feels weird. I'm sure I'd think that even as a young reader, too! Yet the story doesn't happen without his moneybags, so... I guess it's "fine"? (if impossible to believe, haha)

[Sidra Loniello · Rating 4 out of 5]

choice book 2 quarter 4

The Fact and the Furriest, written by Andy Behrens, is a realistic fiction book that takes place at paw patch and Kevin's house.

main characters:
Kevin: Kevin and his dog want to be stars. He is willing to do most anything to help his dog be a star.

Zach: Zach is the one who is paying for the dog classes because Kevin cant really afford it. he is supper supportive.

The problem in this story is that Kevin's dad is a former football star, and he wants him to follow in his footsteps. but Kevin and his dog want to compete in dog agility shows.

The author believes that "teamwork makes the dream work". one example is Kevin and Zach. They want Kevin's dog to compete so bad that Zach is willing to pay for these really expensive agility classes. Another is when Elka would not give up on Kevin and his dog because she wants to help him become a star. Finally, Kevin would not give up on his dog, he started to train, workout and learn about dog agility so he and his dog could be happy.

One of the things I liked about this book was the bond between Kevin and his dog Cromwell. I also liked Kevin's sister and i really liked the ending. I like the bond with Cromwell and Kevin because they did so much to get to that one big competition, and the journey to get there was super cool. I like his sister because she is not to big in the story, but she is super supportive and tries to help. I like the ending because it shows trust between Cromwell and Kevin.

[Sophia Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cormwell is a very lazy dog. But one day he was watching dog agility on TV and started going crazy, jumping hoops, going on many walks with his owner Kevin, and running. Kevin finds dog agility classes for Cormwell and begs his parents to pay for them. But his dad wants Kevin to do “real” sports like football, not dog agility. Kevin is not very good at sports but him and his dog are amazing at dog agility. Will Cormwell and Kevin keep winning without his parents finding out?

Of course Cormwell changes from a couch potato to a dog agility champion. But kevin also changes in the book too. One way is he was not very confident that him and Cormwell might do really good at the courses. Then after they won their first competition he was very excited and confident. Another way he changed was how he started exercise. He starded running everyday to keep up with Cormwell on the course.

I liked a lot of things about this book. How it was about trying new things and being a good sport. I also liked how they never gave up even if Cormwell was not doing the best at the courses. And because they did that they won a lot of times. One thing that I didn’t like was how from being a very lazy dog to wanting to go on walks and running all the time. But I still really liked this book.

[Jekka · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick, enjoyable read right up to the end. The ending knocked a couple stars off what could have been a 5 star book for my dog-loving son and daughter.
The story was fast paced, simple, a bit over-the-top, and light humored, but for a children's book these are not bad qualities.
I didn't mind the characters, the story-arch, or the absolutely unbelievable pace at which these two couch potatoes became champions. What I did mind was the complete character shift that happened in Kevin the second he won the competition. He went from insecure adolescent who was rightly frustrated with his father's constant one track sports mindedness to an over the top jerk in half a second flat.
The ending ruined the enjoyment of the book for both me and my children. I liked that he was bonding with his father at the end, but this story would have been 100% better if he had given it his best and fell on his face during the tournament - with his dad there to encourage him, support him in continuing, and show him that he really did matter even if he wasn't the best at something after a month of training. As is, winning is great and turns mild mannered, likeable children into monsters whose parents are now proud of their athleticism is about all we got in the end.

[Aly Meadow · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a fun, cute, quirky read, then this is it. The Fast and Furriest, is a feel-good story with likable characters and humorous dialogue. Young readers who are easily bored with lengthy or long-winded stories will probably appreciate that this book is only about 250 pages long.
As a middle-aged adult I found the story engaging, but I do think young boys will probably appreciate the whole premise of the story more than young girls. But all in all, I'd still recommend this book to all young middle-graders, especially the doggie lovers.

[Judine Brey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story of 12-year-old Kevin Pugh and his beagle Cromwell becoming unlikely agility competition champions. I love the minor characters, from Elka the trainer to Kevin's best friend, Zach. However, I did find the fact that Kevin was the son of a former Bears' player, and was free to roam Chicago alone a bit concerning. I also didn't love the "everything goes right" ending.

[chris :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awww this was really cute, an easy middle-grade read. I’ve had this book on my shelves at home since I bought it at the Scholastic book fair back in elementary school, and never finished reading it. I finally did today and it was a lovely underdog story. Makes me really miss my one dog Zoose. Dogs are just precious!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good ending. Getting tired of stories written for children with lousy parents. Ten- and twelve-year-olds shouldn't have to fight their parents over things they don't want or are not comfortable doing. All turns out well in the end but only because clueless parents finally wake up and grow up.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, plot driven, Chicago connections, animal story, sports story, perseverance

Narrator does a good job with the Chicago accents; lots of laugh out loud moments but probably would not appeal to someone who didn't love sports.

[Jean Alfieri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cromwell scores a perfect 10 in this book! So fun and engaging. Andy Behrens captures the complex relationship of a boy and his dog and combines them with the challenges of family and friends in a heart-warming story of triumph!

[London Cochran · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great book that by the time I finished it I felt like I could do anything. I've read more than 500 books in my life and I'm only 9 years old! I think everyone who can, should read this book. I think It should get 100000 stars!

[Jessie Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was just what I needed right now. There was still some struggle but it wasn’t so much that I felt I needed carry the burden of the main character with me. Elka makes me think of our own local dog whisperer.

[Maureen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok story. As a kids book not happy that it has he word *ss in it. Sad.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really fun book.

[Sheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun book to read with your tween.

[Ethan Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the book from a lazy kid to one of the fastest kids.

[Alexis R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome book of two couch potatoes becoming stars!