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Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (October 12, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446546313
ISBN-13: 978-0446546317
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Oogy didn’t have an easy time coming into life. At about two months old, he was used as a bait dog. A bait dog is used to train other dogs for fighting. Oogy had the left side of his face destroyed, his jaw broken, and his left ear ripped off. It seems he was pretty much left to die when the police found him.
A veterinarian and his assistant did all they could to keep Oogy alive. Then one day the Levin’s came into his life. Larry Levin and his two sons Noah and Dan were under the sad duty of taking their cat Mr. Buzzy to be put to sleep. It was there at the Vet that they met Oogy, and decided he needed to come home with them.
I could relate so much to this story, the abusive past, the family learning to overlook the physical damage and just love. And that is what Oogy’s family provided him, and what he’s provided his family.
This story was beautifully written. There were times I was deeply moved by Mr. Levin’s tale about Oogy. It was disturbing at times to read about the treatment the poor dog suffered. At one point I had to stop reading and put it aside because I was just too disturbed by the imagery. Although it always bothers me to hear these stories, I’m also never surprised. The Human being is capable of such inhumane acts against anyone perceived as weak.
If you get a chance to pick up this book, I think you’d fall in love with the story of Oogy as I did. Sometimes the most beautiful things don’t come in the most beautiful packages.
From the ASPCA site I found these 10 ways you can help stop dog fighting:
Support stronger laws. Visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center to keep up to date on dog fighting legislation in your state.
Alert the media! Your local newspaper and television station are always looking for stories, especially investigative ones—be sure to contact them about the cruelty and dangers of dog fighting.
Call or write your local law enforcement department and let them know that investigating dog fighting cruelty should be a priority. Dog fighting is a CRIME—and the police MUST investigate these cases.
Keep your eyes and ears open. If you suspect dog fighting in your own neighborhood, contact the police or your local animal control officer. Provide as much information as you can, such as the date and time you noticed something wrong, the address or location, and what led you to believe there was dog fighting taking place.
Protect your pets. Dog fighters sometimes steal companion animals to use as bait dogs. Don’t let your animals outside without supervision, and make sure they have proper identification tags and are microchipped.
Adopt a Pit Bull and let your perfect pooch be an ambassador for the breed! Be sure to read our Pit Bull adoption tips before you start your search.
Set a good example for others. If you are already the proud parent of a Pit Bull, be sure to always show them the love and good care that they deserve. And always let others know what great companions they make!
Volunteer! If your local shelter is facing a Pit Bull dilemma, volunteer to help keep adoptable Pit Bulls and Pit mixes mentally and physically fit by exercising them or taking them to obedience classes. You can also lead a chew-toy drive at work to collect rawhides or hard rubber playthings to keep them busy, or help create a fundraiser to support a free sterilization program for Pit Bulls in your local shelter.
Educate others in your community about the horrors of dog fighting and start a neighborhood watch program.
Teach your children. Do your kids have questions about dog fighting? Visit our children’s website, ASPCA Animaland, for information about dog fighting that’s written especially for kids.
*Disclaimer* A special thanks goes out to Anna at Hachette Book Group for a review copy of this book. It in no way influenced my review.
You can discuss it here or join my facebook page and discuss it there.
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on Monday, September 20th, 2010 at 7:05 pm and is filed under Inspirational, Memoir.
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September 20th, 2010 at 7:36 pm
your review made me cry. Can’t wait to read the book (even though it’s not in .epub format
)
September 20th, 2010 at 8:02 pm
Kris, I asked and they said it should be available shortly. Amazon has it for pre-order as an ebook, and they said it would be out for nook at that time, so I’ll let you know on October 12th. If not I’ll follow up with them.