Friday, May 20, 2016

Dog Gone: A Lost Pet's Extraordinary Journey and the Family Who Brought Him Home Book Review

Dog Gone: A Lost Pet's Extraordinary Journey and the Family Who Brought Him Home book cover
I know, you're probably thinking, "Sierra, this is a cat blog.  Why are you featuring a dog book?"  And you're right.  Typically I feature cat books, but when I read the storyline for, Dog Gone: A Lost Pet's Extraordinary Journey and the Family Who Brought Him Home by Pauls Toutonghi, I just couldn't resist!  Even if you're more of a cat person, I believe you'll enjoy this book.

About the Book: On October 10, 1998, Fielding Marshall was out hiking on the Appellation Trail with his six-year-old Golden Retriever mix, Gonker.  Fielding allowed Gonker to play off-leash as he always did when they went hiking.  However, this time, Gonker bolted into the woods, and he was gone - just like that.

Gonker has Addison's Disease, and if he isn't found in 23 days, he will die.

The search begins.  Fielding and his dad, John, scour the trail for days, tirelessly looking for Gonker with their other dog, Uli, in tow.  Meanwhile, at home, Fielding's mother, Virginia, sets up a command post and tirelessly works to find Gonker as well.  Virginia contacts everyone she can think of - police precincts, animal shelters and hospitals, newspapers, radio stations, park rangers, churches, general stores, and community centers.  She gets a local newspaper to print a story about Gonker, and it's picked up by the AP newswire.  She gets numerous tips - many of them of questionable authenticity - about Gonker.

Through the search, the family bonds like never before.  They realize they may not survive the loss of their dear companion, Gonker.

My Thoughts: What attracted me to this book initially was the fact that Gonker has Addison's Disease.  I have Adrenal Insufficiency, which is similar to Addison's Disease, and I can relate to the urgency this family faces in needing to find their beloved companion.  With Addison's Disease (and other adrenal insufficiency disorders), a pet or human must take regular medication for the condition.  If the medication isn't taken in time, the pet's or person's body goes into an adrenal crisis, which is life-threatening.

While I read this story, I could feel the love the Marshalls had for Gonker.  I could feel the family's urgency and their sadness at their lowest moments.

Even through the toughest moments, this story is full of hope and love.  The family's efforts to find Gonker truly show how much they love and care about him.  It warmed my heart that so many people pitched in to help find this precious dog.

I would have loved to hear more about life after the search was over.  Having said that, there is a brief Epilogue included in the book.

If you love animals, I believe you will really enjoy this book!

FTC Disclosure: I received a copy of, "Dog Gone: A Lost Pet's Extraordinary Journey and the Family Who Brought Him Home" by Pauls Toutonghi for a fair and honest review.  Receiving the book did not influence my opinions.  All opinion expressed on Fur Everywhere are my own.  

27 comments:

  1. Sounds like the story had a happy ending, which is good!

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  2. This sounds like a good read, thank you for sharing it!

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  3. Yay for the happy ending! Not that I wouldn't be frantic either way if Mr. N was lost but a sick pet definitely ups the ante!

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  4. It sounds like a great book and I love a happily ever after.

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  5. That does sound really good and I think we would like it!

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  6. Sounds like a good story. And glad for the happy ending

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  7. This sounds like a wonderful story and, of course, I love the happy ending.

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  8. This sounds like a great book...even if it's about a dog. ;)

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  9. Sounds like a great book - my human wants to read a cat book with the same sort of storyline.

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  10. This sounds like a great book. Mom Paula will add it to her list of books to read once she retires.

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  11. We're adding the book to our To-Read list!!

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  12. I love cats, but I also love me some dog, so I was happy to read this review. And it's a wonderful review! This book sounds so amazing and inspiring. Thank you for sharing!

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  13. Oh I've seen this book listed and haven't purchased it and honestly didn't know much about it. Thank you for reviewing this and sharing - as now it's on my list!

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  14. I had never heard of this story, it sounds like a good book.

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  15. We love a good ending - so we'll check it out, thanks for sharing!

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  16. Sounds like a great book! I'll have to add this to our reading list! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!

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  17. As long as it ends happy, I will definitely read it! Sounds like a wonderful book

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  18. That book sounds great, and hey, we love a happy ending!

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  19. Sounds like a powerful story. My Mom's Poodle, Joy, had Addison's (was only told she would live to about five, with Mom's loving care and med schedule, she crossed the Rainbow Bridge at 15!) I definitely will check this book out. Thanks for the great review.

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  20. I am definitely adding this to my 'must read' list! Thanks for sharing.

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  21. Sounds like a great story of hope and love. Will have to add to our list.

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  22. They are so lucky they found Gonker. Hopefully they kept him on leash after that traumatic experience! So scary, especially with a dog that has a critical illness like that.

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  23. Sounds like a wonderful book! Thanks for sharing...it's an especially helpful reminder that our pets can easily bolt without warning and how important it can be to keep dogs on leash in certain circumstances.

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  24. We wish evfurry lost critter had searches like that!

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