Additional Resources

Continue the Conversation: after you've finished the book, use these discussion questions to dig deeper into the themes.

• Would you describe yourself as a dog person? Why or why not? How many dogs would you want to have at one time?

• What is a name you would like to give to a dog?

• Gary tells many stories about dogs who have done funny or impressive things. Short, funny stories like these are called anecdotes. What was your favorite anecdote from the book? Which anecdote was the most surprising to you and why?

• Gary rescued dogs from all kinds of situations, including sickness, being eaten, or not being wanted. But sometimes, his dogs rescued or helped him! When have you helped someone else? When has someone else helped you? What do you like better: helping others or being helped, and why?

• Some of Gary's dogs were more caring and loyal than the people in his life. What can dogs teach us about how to be a good friend?

Creative Writing Prompts: Use these writing prompts to inspire a few paragraphs or more!

• Have you ever seen an animal do something funny or unexpected? Write about it!

• Write your own autobiography. Include details about your family, your accomplishments, and your interests, and share one or two of your funniest stories.

• We learn a lot about the dogs from Gary's perspective. Choose one story from the book to retell from the dog's perspective. What was Cookie thinking when she pulled Gary out of the ice? How did Ike really feel when Gary missed a shot? Be creative!