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A review by michaeljames122
A Dog's Way Home by W. Bruce Cameron
3.0
2.5 Stars rounded up to 3 because I really enjoyed A Dog's Purpose by the same author.
I'll admit it, I've got a soft spot for dogs, especially of the 'good dog' variety. In my time spent hunting, fishing, hiking, snuggling or just staring at my dogs I often find myself wondering what they're thinking. That's why I enjoy these 'get in the mind of your pet' books. Are they deeply philosophical or challenging? No. But they sure tend to be light, fun reads.
*****************************SPOILERS AHEAD*******************************
And that's what this was, a light, fun read. My annoyances weren't with the writing from the dog's (Bella) perspective, but with the details of her journey. I can believe that a dog and a mountain lion cub could possibly befriend each other, but I have a harder time believing that a pack of coyotes (who typically travel/hunt alone or in pairs) would be desperate enough to take on said dog and mountain lion team. I had trouble with the idea that said mountain lion/dog combo would find a recently deceased deer with an arrow in its neck with no hunter even remotely close. I can believe that people would purposely venture into roped off avalanche zones, but why are warnings being yelled to other people in the middle of an avalanche zone, and why is the inexperienced skier left behind? I can believe (and know) that wildlife is occasionally poached, but why are people hiking in the mountains of Colorado unaware of basic (carrying/firing firearms and harvesting animals) hunting practices?
I'm not sure if the author was trying to bring attention to the ignorance of people recreating outdoors (of which there's plenty), or didn't put the effort into studying it himself. So much of the overheard dialogue seemed simplistic and blatantly pushing (or at least unnecessarily bringing attention to) left leaning agendas, which I have no problem reading about, and was probably most annoyed because it didn't add much of anything to the story.
I know I should probably expect a dog book to be heavy on animal rights and anti hunting, but I would've enjoyed it more if it stuck to dog thoughts. Not sure what that says about my state of mind.
This review does a great job of explaining my frustrations with the authors apparent lack of research, tho she attacks it more from the therapy dog side.
I'll admit it, I've got a soft spot for dogs, especially of the 'good dog' variety. In my time spent hunting, fishing, hiking, snuggling or just staring at my dogs I often find myself wondering what they're thinking. That's why I enjoy these 'get in the mind of your pet' books. Are they deeply philosophical or challenging? No. But they sure tend to be light, fun reads.
*****************************SPOILERS AHEAD*******************************
And that's what this was, a light, fun read. My annoyances weren't with the writing from the dog's (Bella) perspective, but with the details of her journey. I can believe that a dog and a mountain lion cub could possibly befriend each other, but I have a harder time believing that a pack of coyotes (who typically travel/hunt alone or in pairs) would be desperate enough to take on said dog and mountain lion team. I had trouble with the idea that said mountain lion/dog combo would find a recently deceased deer with an arrow in its neck with no hunter even remotely close. I can believe that people would purposely venture into roped off avalanche zones, but why are warnings being yelled to other people in the middle of an avalanche zone, and why is the inexperienced skier left behind? I can believe (and know) that wildlife is occasionally poached, but why are people hiking in the mountains of Colorado unaware of basic (carrying/firing firearms and harvesting animals) hunting practices?
I'm not sure if the author was trying to bring attention to the ignorance of people recreating outdoors (of which there's plenty), or didn't put the effort into studying it himself. So much of the overheard dialogue seemed simplistic and blatantly pushing (or at least unnecessarily bringing attention to) left leaning agendas, which I have no problem reading about, and was probably most annoyed because it didn't add much of anything to the story.
I know I should probably expect a dog book to be heavy on animal rights and anti hunting, but I would've enjoyed it more if it stuck to dog thoughts. Not sure what that says about my state of mind.
This review does a great job of explaining my frustrations with the authors apparent lack of research, tho she attacks it more from the therapy dog side.