Finding Gobi: A Little Dog with a Very Big Heart

Written by Dion Leonard

Narrated by Simon Bubb

The New York Times bestselling true story of an Australian ultramarathon runner and a little dog who formed an unbreakable bond in the middle of the Gobi desert.

Finding Gobi is the miraculous tale of Dion Leonard, a seasoned ultramarathon runner who crosses paths with a stray dog while competing in a 155-mile race through the Gobi Desert in China. The lovable pup, who would later earn the name Gobi, went step for step with Dion over the Tian Shan Mountains and across massive sand dunes, keeping pace with him for 77 miles.

As Dion witnessed the incredible determination and heart of this small animal, he found his own heart undergoing a change as well. Whereas in the past these races were all about winning and being the best, his goal now was to make sure he and Gobi’s friendship continued well after the finish line, and he undertook another difficult journey to bring Gobi home to Scotland.

However, before he could take her home, Gobi went missing in the sprawling Chinese city where she was being kept. Dion, with the help of strangers and a viral outpouring of assistance on the internet, set out to track her down, and reunite with the dog that changed his life. Finding Gobi:

• Proves that miracles are possible—anywhere and at any time
• Gives vivid details of an ultra-marathon and what it’s like to run one of the toughest races on the planet
• Connects to that special bond that humankind has with dogs and what it can open up in our hearts

Read this inspiring story and discover how miracles truly are possible—and find your own heart changing as well.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Release date: Jun 13, 2017
• ISBN: 9780785216278

Dion Leonard

Dion Leonard is a 41 year old Australian who lives in Edinburgh, Scotland with his wife Lucja. Dion has not only completed but competed in some of the world’s toughest ultra marathons across the planet’s most inhospitable landscapes. This includes running across the brutal Moroccan Sahara desert twice in the 250km Marathon Des Sables and also twice across South Africa's Kalahari Desert, also 250km. Dion's latest 250km race across the Gobi Desert in China turned out to be a completely different race where he fell in love with a stray dog (later named Gobi) that followed him during the week and who would change both of their lives forever.  

Reviews for Finding Gobi

[Lena Ariza · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

After reading Craig & Fred I didn’t think anything would be harder than getting a stray dog out of a war zone to the USA.

Oh how wrong I was.

Getting a stray from China to the U.K. is much much harder.

But Dion also made a hash of it at the begging by trusting the wrong people.

It was hard to read about how dogs are pariahs in China but the attention the search for Gobi received highlighted the efforts of Chinese animal welfare activists. They deserve all our goodwill.

This was an ok story but not nearly as good as Craig and Fred.

[Taylor Brewis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A wonderfully detailed account of how Dion came upon the little stray dog, he came to call Gobi, as he attempted a long staged competitive run in China. In his own voice, he shares the many hurdles he faced in coming to love Gobi, through his loss of her, and ultimately his search to find her again. Along the way, he provides insight into his troubled childhood and personal life, as well as his training as a distance runner. Those who are not runners may find the details relating to this sport to be a little too much, but this story is really one of perseverance, resilience, hope, compassion... and love.
Definitely worth a read or listen!

[James Edey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This story will lift your heart and your spirit. Really.