Dog Gone: A Lost Pet's Extraordinary Journey and the Family Who Brought Him Home Book Review

I know, you're probably thinking, "Sierra, this is a cat blog.  Why are you featuring a dog book?"  And you're right.  Typically I feature cat books, but when I read the storyline for, Dog Gone: A Lost Pet's Extraordinary Journey and the Family Who Brought Him Home by Pauls Toutonghi, I just couldn't resist!  Even if you're more of a cat person, I believe you'll enjoy this book.

About the Book: On October 10, 1998, Fielding Marshall was out hiking on the Appellation Trail with his six-year-old Golden Retriever mix, Gonker.  Fielding allowed Gonker to play off-leash as he always did when they went hiking.  However, this time, Gonker bolted into the woods, and he was gone - just like that.

Gonker has Addison's Disease, and if he isn't found in 23 days, he will die.

The search begins.  Fielding and his dad, John, scour the trail for days, tirelessly looking for Gonker with their other dog, Uli, in tow.  Meanwhile, at home, Fielding's mother, Virginia, sets up a command post and tirelessly works to find Gonker as well.  Virginia contacts everyone she can think of - police precincts, animal shelters and hospitals, newspapers, radio stations, park rangers, churches, general stores, and community centers.  She gets a local newspaper to print a story about Gonker, and it's picked up by the AP newswire.  She gets numerous tips - many of them of questionable authenticity - about Gonker.

Through the search, the family bonds like never before.  They realize they may not survive the loss of their dear companion, Gonker.

My Thoughts: What attracted me to this book initially was the fact that Gonker has Addison's Disease.  I have Adrenal Insufficiency, which is similar to Addison's Disease, and I can relate to the urgency this family faces in needing to find their beloved companion.  With Addison's Disease (and other adrenal insufficiency disorders), a pet or human must take regular medication for the condition.  If the medication isn't taken in time, the pet's or person's body goes into an adrenal crisis, which is life-threatening.

While I read this story, I could feel the love the Marshalls had for Gonker.  I could feel the family's urgency and their sadness at their lowest moments.

Even through the toughest moments, this story is full of hope and love.  The family's efforts to find Gonker truly show how much they love and care about him.  It warmed my heart that so many people pitched in to help find this precious dog.

I would have loved to hear more about life after the search was over.  Having said that, there is a brief Epilogue included in the book.

If you love animals, I believe you will really enjoy this book!

FTC Disclosure: I received a copy of, "Dog Gone: A Lost Pet's Extraordinary Journey and the Family Who Brought Him Home" by Pauls Toutonghi for a fair and honest review.  Receiving the book did not influence my opinions.  All opinion expressed on Fur Everywhere are my own.