Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love in Crazy Challenge Connection

Sep 10, 2010 Martha rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2010, first-reads

I really enjoyed this book. Mr. Levin wrote the story not just about the rescue of a remarkable dog, but of their family relationships, both with Oogy and with each other. He was very detailed in describing daily family life, but not in a boring way. When I read the first chapter, I wasn't sure that I would like his writing style, but then the book just sort of took off for me. I usually read more than one book at a time so I bounce back & forth between books, but that didn't happen once I got a ...more

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Feb 24, 2013 Book Concierge rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: library, concierge, dogs

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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Jan 28, 2014 Connie N. rated it liked it

Shelves: animal-dog, memoir, white, animal-on-cover

This is the author's first book, and though well-written, there's not a whole lot to it. It's a quick read that tells the story of a family's adoption of a horribly deformed dog, a former bait dog (which means he was expendable, thrown into a pit as a puppy for the sole purpose of being the victim of another dog training to fight). He was rescued, and the animal hospital found him to be a fighter, worthy of saving, which they proceeded to do by reconstructing his damaged head and training him to This is the author's first book, and though well-written, there's not a whole lot to it. It's a quick read that tells the story of a family's adoption of a horribly deformed dog, a former bait dog (which means he was expendable, thrown into a pit as a puppy for the sole purpose of being the victim of another dog training to fight). He was rescued, and the animal hospital found him to be a fighter, worthy of saving, which they proceeded to do by reconstructing his damaged head and training him to be a family dog. As so rarely happens, he survived, not only physically but with his soul and love of others intact. This family met him by chance as they were bringing their cat in to be put to sleep, and he became "their" dog immediately. We follow him as he settles into the household and becomes an integral and beloved part of the family and their neighborhood (although his antics and bad behavior like chewing and damaging household items turned me off). As we get to know the family better, we discover that the twin sons of the family were also adopted, which the author compares to the adoption of Oogy, both choices that made them all richer. It's a warm and loving book, although some of it is just about the dog's medical and socialization problems--ho hum. What I liked most was the philosophical message the author imparted that "...some people...come to see in Oogy the survivor they perceive themselves to be, an indomitable spirit in the face of adversity...Others, not necessarily physically damaged but emotionally scarred, who yet hope still to be loved, find another kind of encouragement: If this dog can go through the hell he did and emerge capable of giving and generating as much love as he does, so can they." He also suggested, "...all of us know that we will, eventually and without fail, have to deal with tragedy...And what appeals to everyone about Oogy is that he is proof that what we all know is lurking out there--the awful and, yes, inevitable tragic loss...can, in fact, be survived with love and grace intact, without bitterness or resentment, and with an appreciation for all that follows. Oogy is, right there in front of everyone he meets, tangible living proof that there can be happiness, love, and hope on the other side of unspeakable and unimaginable horror." I especially liked how they came up with his name...the father first saw the crazy-looking dog and thought, boy he is one oogly dog. They shortened that to Oogy. Cute. ...more

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Jul 08, 2011 Megalion rated it really liked it

Shelves: from-shelfari, year-read-2011

I particularly wanted to read this book because in my rescue experience, I once tried to save a newborn pup who had part of its head torn off (skin) and would have also had no ear and been misshapen if she'd lived.

I was also a little afraid of being made to cry as dog stories often do (ie Marley & Me) but if that's your fear, then no worries... except to cry maybe at the extent of how Oogy came to look the way she does.

the only reason why I gave this book four stars over five because the autho ...more

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