The Prairie Dogs

Anne Hutchings, a former elementary-school teacher-librarian with the
Durham Board of Education, is an educational consultant.

Pierre, a pedigreed miniature poodle, is an “almost” Agility Master
champion. When his owners inadvertently leave him behind in a small
western town, the pampered pooch must learn to fend for himself. He
makes friends with Dare (a terrier mix), Mouse (a Chihuahua), and Mew
(who thinks he’s a cat), and together they become “The Prairie
Dogs.”

Unfortunately, Pierre and his pals run afoul of another gang, “The
Bull Dogs,” as well as some of the town’s human inhabitants. They
seem to be, one way or the other, doomed. Enter Old Sam and his human
friend, Mr. Abram. With their help the Prairie Dogs are vindicated and,
we presume, live peacefully and happily ever after.

The Prairie Dogs is divided into 14 short, easily managed chapters.
Told from the dog’s point of view, the story gives humans a chance to
see ourselves, not “as others see us,” but as dogs see us. Humorous
with plenty of action and suspense, the novel could be used as a
read-aloud with late primary grade children or read independently by
older students. There are plenty of opportunities for predicting
outcomes: Will Pierre’s humans come looking for him? What will happen
if they don’t? Has Mr. Abram truly gone to the Forever Field? The
story raises some ethical issues, too—the mistreatment and subsequent
abandonment of Mouse, the lives of show dogs, stray animals. Beha’s
charming illustrations add humour to Goertzen’s text. Recommended.