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A Dog's Way Home  By  cover art

A Dog's Way Home

By: W. Bruce Cameron
Narrated by: Ann Marie Lee
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Publisher's summary

Lucas Ray is shocked when an adorable puppy jumps out of an abandoned building and into his arms. Though the apartment he shares with his mother, a disabled veteran, doesn't allow dogs, Lucas can't resist taking Bella home.

Bella is inexplicably drawn to Lucas, even if she doesn't understand the necessity of games like No Barks. As it becomes more difficult to hide her from the neighbors, Lucas begins to sneak Bella into the VA where he works. There, Bella brings joy and comfort where it is needed most.

After Bella is picked up by Animal Control because pit bulls are banned in Denver, Lucas has no choice but to send her to a foster home until he can figure out what to do. But Bella, distraught at the separation, doesn't plan to wait. With 400 miles of dangerous Colorado wilderness between her and her person, Bella sets off on a seemingly impossible and completely unforgettable adventure home.

A classic story of unwavering loyalty and incredible devotion, A Dog's Way Home is a beautifully told, charming tale that explores the unbreakable bond between us and our pets.

An Audible for Dogs Pick: Make your dog's day. Cesar Millan shares how audiobooks can make dogs happier and calmer. Learn more.
©2017 W. Bruce Cameron (P)2017 Tantor

What listeners say about A Dog's Way Home

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

If I could’ve given this book 5 stars…

For its message, I would’ve done so. Unfortunately, there appears to be no such category that isn’t outweighed by content performance and “overall.“ And so, there should’ve been a disclaimer upfront that said this is definitely a child’s book. I am definitely a fan of sentimentality and as a disabled veteran with a service dog who has encountered the same bureaucratic malice portrayed in “a dogs way home“ I was really receptive to the reviews as well as the premise. But Mr. Cameron expect me to stretch credulity just a little too far and the narrator was so annoyingly cutesy it was all I could do to finish the book. Again,. I am a big fan of tearjerker dog story and can think of Few I have not read… But this one seems to touch on every modern cliché, and then not satisfied, took the story into the ridiculous … A cougar makes friends with a dog and they spend the winter hunting together?… Really? And then A gay couple is the personification of good while more than a few village rednecks round out and almost unbelievable villainy? Again, I agreed with the message and would commend the book to anyone who is willing to suspend reality and who is 13 years old or younger.

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29 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A lesson in perseverance

Is there anything you would change about this book?

There's a movie coming out soon that's based on the book. While the story was somewhat predictable, there were a few twists and turns that kept it interesting. I wanted to listen to the book before watching the movie. I wish I'd read it on Kindle instead of listening to a voice actor. Listening to the narrator felt like I was listening to a children's book. Wanting to hear how the story ended was the only reason I stuck it out. It was grueling and I will not purchase another book read by this narrator.

What did you like best about this story?

The perserverance of the dog.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator read the book as though she was reading to a class of children. I found it annoying.

Was A Dog's Way Home worth the listening time?

No.

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17 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • CT
  • 08-26-17

Loved it!

What made the experience of listening to A Dog's Way Home the most enjoyable?

The further I got into this book the more I realized that although it could have been written for child, I really liked it, even as a senior citizen. It's an easy read (listen), and I couldn't wait to get back to see what happened next.

A child might also enjoy this book. I felt a bit foolish at times as I stayed with it, but that did not detour me. I love dogs and I am a child at heart, so this was a fun and exciting read all the way through.

What did you like best about this story?

The end. Sorry folks I had to tell you it's a happy ending.

What about Ann Marie Lee’s performance did you like?

Her voice was perfect for Bella!

If you could rename A Dog's Way Home, what would you call it?

I would not rename it.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Many Journeys/Relationships, All Rolled Into One

It's hard not to compare this book with Cameron's best known, "A Dog's Purpose". Try as it might, "A Dog's Way Home" doesn't quite meet the same depth, the same highs as that book.
Still, it's a sweet read filled with Bella's many relationships, many journeys through 11 hours of well-narrated listening time. It's greatest weakness is that Cameron's style is to over-write. We're constantly being told: "Something significant was happening," "Dogs learn from repetition. Here was another repeat," things like that when really, he doesn't have to do that as situations and previous writing makes the listener learn and feel that for themselves.
There are many decent scenes, many good situations, and many great characters that people the book. And through it all, is Bella's basic nature that was shaped by a cat who loved her, took her in, saved her when she was a pup. This sets up some fine instances of Bella's ability to surpass the norm, being the loving dog that she is.
Sometimes the narration is a bit fraught, but Ann Marie Lee does a good job with Bella's many emotions, her confusion, her dedication and love to those who matter.
"A Dog's Way Home" was a nice way for me to journey along with a lovable dog, meeting people, places that are quite memorable.
And Bella is quite the good dog that she hopes to be through it all.

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11 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Another good story from the dogs perspective

Very entertaining if you’re looking for a light story. Also, some clever and very funny parts too... I enjoyed it overall.

Listening to the narrator was the only downside. Although I n her defense, it would have been tough not to sound like reading to elementary school children with all the repetition and simple verbiage meant to be the dogs thought processes, etc.

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10 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I LOVED this book!

from a pup's point of view, this book keeps you turning it's pages until the early morning hours. it pulls at your heartstrings, but still manages to remain action packed! Would highly recommend this phenomenal book to anyone that loves adventure, their dog or both. you'll find yourself hugging your fur baby a bit tighter at night while reading this "ode to a dog's love."

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6 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Enough of this

The first book I listened to of Cameron's I thought was interesting. By the time I was through about half of this book I had had enough. Unless you're a dog, thinking like a dog is only entertaining so long. To me his plots are a little over melodramatic.

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6 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Narration is simply terrible

It is rare that I can't finish a book but this is one of those that I just could not listen to anymore. I made it about halfway through the book and finally reached my limit, mostly due to the narrator. I am not sure how a narrator is chosen for a book but this narrator completely ruins this book. She sounds extremely childish and cannot successfully represent different characters in the book. Additionally, I thought I would enjoy the storyline since I typically like books told from the perspective of the animal but again, this storyline falls short. The characters need more development and the writing is rather simplistic. I found it hard to stay involved with the story.

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3 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Kept My Attention, and I Wish There Was More.

This was a good book, and it definitely kept my attention. I wish there was more! It was not my favorite by Cameron, but it was still good. What irritated me about the book was all the drawn out conflicts. I like a story with a little bit more joy. This one contained struggle after struggle, which can be frustrating for the listener. I really enjoyed the parts with Big Kitty. They were my favorite. Bottom line: I liked it, but I wanted more happiness.

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyed despite narrator

Enjoyed listening to the book (despite the sing/song voice of the reader). Obviously a very set-up story but one that was engaging. I especially liked that there were good things about almost every character (human or animal) in the book despite their flaws. That is how dogs are, loving to almost all humans that give them a chance. (BTW, the movie is pretty close to the book with details changed or omitted of necessity, but the essence of the story still intact.)

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