Flawed Dogs: The Year-End Leftovers at the Piddleton "Last Chance" Dog Pound

My kids are all grown up, but I grabbed this off the new acquisitions shelf at the local library because the pictures were so great. And then we spent an evening at home with a bunch of fully grown, respectable (sort of) adults admiring the illustrations. It's written for a dog shelter in Piddleton, Vermont, and the poems contributed by the poetry club of that aspiring metropolis aren't at all bad. But the whole concept of these flawed dogs and the illustrations are just brilliant. Being a flawed dog myself, albeit of a different species, I appreciated the implied permission to get on with my life in spite of it.

Welcome to Piddleton, Vermont (population 327, people 243), where the Last Chance Dog Pound presents its annual catalog of flawed and unadoptable dogs. Pictures of these wacky canines are accompanied with descriptions in rhyme penned by members of the Piddleton Poetry Club. This hilarious catalog includes Buttercup, a shar pei with one too many face lifts, iBoo, the robot dog whose faulty programming neglected housebreaking, and Spanks, the cat in dog's clothing. These pups are whimsical and endearing, and the only way in which they are truly flawed is in their lack of love. This story makes an earnest plea to adopt one of the millions of animals currently in shelters. A funny book for animal lovers of all ages.

I picked this up in the bookstore the other day because I'm a big Berke Breathed fan. After glancing at the first page or two, I was drawn in and carried the book over to a nearby chair and read it straight through. I laughed and cried, then went home and ordered copies for all the animal lovers on my Christmas list. This is one of the funniest and, ultimately, most touching books I've read in a long time. Buy it.

As someone involved with dog rescue, it was easy to "recognize" all of the dogs and their situations. Dogs (and cats) end up at pounds and shelters by the MILLIONS each year for reasons as diverse as "I'm moving", to "I didn't know they would shed". And sadly, the majority of these dogs end up being put to death. In this wonderful book, Mr. Breathed brings attention to the plight of these creatures while entertaining, fabulously! I recommend this for every animal lover and Berkeley Breathed fan.

I dont normaly buy childrens books but I picked this one up in the bookstore and had to have it. The little rymes are cute and the overall message is good, but the artwork is absolutely beautiful and very funny. Its amazing how much expression a cartoon drawing can have.