A Little Dog Like You

I picked this up on the discount table back when we still had a Pickwick's Bookstore. I was attracted to the small size and the chihuahua on the cover and the title. Although we are big dog people in my family, I'm a sucker for dog stories and figured any dog is fine for a good story. Every time I read this book I cry. In fact, I keep this book handy for those occasions when I feel I need a good cathartic cry. I didn't find this story saccharine at all. I found it quite authentic. Told in a sparse matter of fact way, but still with some lovely descriptive passages, it is a shorter more accessible story for the young, much as The Art of Racing in the Rain is for adults (albeit it is longer and has a much more extensive story to tell.) Pippin and Enzo have a lot in common. I would not recommend this book to a grieving child any more than I would recommend The 10th Good Thing About Barney. A Little Dog Like You might result in disappointment to a child if a new puppy fails to "be" their old dog come back. For other reasons I think The 10th Good Thing About Barney would be a bit shocking for a child. I do think this books is a fine gift for an adult who has lost a beloved pet, but don't give it right away.

In 1990 I found a small mixed breed chihuahua/daushaund mix.In 1992 while on vacation at the beach went into a shop in search of sun screen lotion and browsed thru a table of discounted items.There was a book with the image of my dog Francesco on the cover.I read it and it brought tears to my eyes.Although Francesco was very young at the time I knew the day would come when I ,like "Mommie" would have to face the inevitable.Francesco died 2 weeks ago and I took the book "A Little Dog Like You" off of my bookshelf and read it again.I was saddened to learn tonight that Rosemary Sutcliff had died in 1992 as I wanted to let her know how her book helped me to prepare for one of my greatest losses...Rosemary is with her Pippin I am sure .Carrie

This little book is going to be (if not already) a well-sought after collector's item for any dog and/or book lover. Beautifully illustrated in a classic style, the book brings out the best about the love shared by dogs everywhere and their owners. It's a book about a little dog whose bravery and loyalty to his owner brings them together again. I have chihuahuas and I am involved in chihuahua rescue, so this book is especially meaningful to me. It's the only book I know of with a chihuahua as a character. But the story is universal and simple enough to be shared with a child. They don't make books like this any more.

If you've ever loved a dog, this book is for you. This slim volume is written and illustrated so that even a very young child could appreciate hearing it read, but any adult who considers himself or herself a dog lover will be enchanted with it. The book follows a dog through its life and, sadly, to its end, but the story doesn't stop there. There is so much love between the author and her dog that the author is certain she hasn't seen the last of her pup -- and she's right. You may need some Kleenex tissue for the final pages of the story, even though the book ends on a decidedly high note.