A Dog for Life

Written by L.S. Matthews

Narrated by Brian Butler

This is the true story of the journey of John Hawkins and his dog, Mouse, from way up north to way down south.
Mouse has been John and his brother Tom's dog for life. They got her as a puppy when they were just little themselves, and they very quickly discovered that they could understand everything Mouse said and she could do the same. She was just a person like everyone else--though maybe a bit cleverer than most.
You've maybe heard that John "ran away with his pet dog." But the truth about this story is that John and Mouse made the journey to save Tom. It's hard to pinpoint when Tom became truly ill, but when the doctors said they had to send Mouse away for fear of infection, the boys knew they had to do something. Without Mouse, Tom would never recover. The journey began to find a temporary home for Mouse, but once they'd set off, nothing turned out the way they'd planned.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group
• Release date: Oct 10, 2006
• ISBN: 9780739336823

Reviews for A Dog for Life

[leov_81 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A lovely story centered around a little dog called Mouse. When Tom becomes ill, Mum decides Mouse must go because Tom is too ill to fight any infections. To save Mouse Tom's twin, John, embarks on a long journey to take Mouse to Uncle David whom they hardly know. On the way he encounters challenges and interesting people.
Again L.S. Matthews brings a quality of writing to the reader that explores complex issues in a straightforward yet sensitive manner.

[melodyreads · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of my favorite 'dog' stories, and no dog dies. Two brothers plot to 'save' their dog, as one is very ill. The younger boy makes a trek across England, doing good as he travels. A slight fantasy element has the dog able to talk to the two brothers.

[branchhead · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A cute story about a young boy with a very ill brother who travels miles w/his dog to his uncle's house, whom he hopes will keep the dog until his brother gets better. Adventures along the way he saves a little girl from drowning, and saves gypsy ponies from a 'mad' scientist. Dog, children & uncle are telepathic to add to the fun.