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In this rollicking, fur-filled adventure, a soft-coated Wheaton terrier finds himself as only one among many in a litter. As he initially views the world through his cage, he begins to wonder why passers-by never choose to bring him into their homes. Then, one day, the terrier's luck changes. Mr. and Mrs. Bonzo decide the puppy is the one for them, and he soon joins them at home. From discovering new foods to learning to walk on a leash, Zak, the soft-coated Wheaton terrier, guides his audience through the ups, downs, and joys that truly make a dog's life. Meanwhile, he also reminds those following his adventures why dogs are humanity's best friends and how sometimes the dog, not the human, is life's best teacher.
This book is filled with comedic moments. Zak is quick-witted, and his positive humor makes all of his interactions entertaining. For example, while a visit to the vet might not seem like a humorous moment for anyone—even Zak's owner—Zak manages to make keen, comical observations about the human world. In one scene, Zak states, "Lady, I am a soft-coated Wheaton terrier, not a cute," after a well-meaning human calls him "Cute." In another scene, he observes and marvels at human behavior, particularly regarding how humans interact with one another over dogs: "Isn't it strange, gathering a group of people together all with their own dogs, and if not already, prospective dog lovers, yet, the first thing they say to another person with a dog is 'What kind of dog is that?'"
Zak's ever-curious nature gives individuals a new perspective on human existence. For example, in one chapter, Zak contemplates parking lots, which he reasons "can be interesting places." Zak poses the shopping cart dilemma. He wonders why some people return shopping carts to their rightful place in the parking lot stalls, while others abandon them throughout the lot rather than being responsible and returning them. Zak's observation is interesting because it subjects a simple human behavior to scrutiny. This scrutiny makes the book's audience think about how, to others, their own behaviors might not only be perceived but might also come across as confusing and baffling.
Even the holidays take on a new shine, thanks to Zak. In "In Case of Emergency," Zak finds himself in a kennel during the Thanksgiving holiday. He laments, "While they wallow in mahi mahi and seared ahi, seeing how many weak jokes they can muster about all the lava on the island, paraphrasing songs for example such as 'Lava come back to me' and 'Dream Lava' I'm left to contemplate what could have been, on a Thanksgiving at home, scraps of turkey perhaps or a double helping of treats." He has fantasies about saving his family during a fire at their hotel in Hawaii, acknowledging that the real emergency would be the moment Mr. Bonzo realized he had escaped the hotel without any pants.
This book is sure to provide hours of laughter and entertainment for its audience. Dog lovers of all ages will appreciate Zak's comedic take on humans, their behavior, and their foibles. This is an unforgettable work that pet lovers and their families will return to time and time again.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review