Dog Walker

Kristin Butcher writes novels for young adults. Her most recent works
are The Trouble with Liberty, Zee’s Way, and Chat Room.

Turk is an average Grade 9 boy. He likes spending money, hanging out
with his friends, sleeping, and watching girls. What he doesn’t like
is working. But when he consistently overspends his monthly allowance,
his parents cut off his pocket money and tell him to get a job. Lazy,
but not stupid, Turk decides to start a business. While lumbered with
his father’s boss’s Cockapoo for the weekend, Turk discovers the
little dog is a girl magnet, and that gives him an idea. Providing a
dog-walking service would fulfill a couple of his needs. It would
attract girls—a feat he and his friends have yet to master—and it
would provide Turk with an income. Not anxious to walk the dogs himself,
Turk enlists the help of his pals. They walk the dogs in exchange for
half the fee and all the girls they can meet. The arrangement works out
well until an obnoxious jock from school tries to horn in on the
operation.

While Turk’s motives may not be all that admirable, his initiative
and execution definitely are, and his little enterprise might very well
inspire readers.

Dog Walker is a fun read. Aside from Turk’s shocking realization that
he does indeed have values and a conscience, there is no angst or heavy
message embedded in the story. Part of the Orca Currents series for
reluctant readers, this book should appeal to both boys and girls.
Recommended.