A Dog's Life: The Autobiography of a Stray facts for kids
First edition cover
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| Author | Ann M. Martin |
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| Illustrator | Scholastic Inc. |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Realistic-Fiction |
| Publisher | Scholastic Inc. |
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Publication date
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October 1, 2005 |
| Media type | Print (paperback) |
| Pages | 192 pp |
| ISBN | 0-439-71559-8 |
A Dog's Life: The Autobiography of a Stray is a children's novel written in 2005 by Ann M. Martin. It was published by Scholastic Books. This book is told from the point of view of a female stray dog named Squirrel. Ann M. Martin often writes books based on real-life experiences and current issues.
Ann M. Martin is a well-known children's author. She is from Princeton, New Jersey. Even though her characters are made up, some are inspired by real people. Martin has written many popular books. These include The Baby-Sitters Club series and the California Diaries series. Her book A Corner of the Universe won a Newbery Honor Award. She also wrote a sequel to A Dog's Life called Everything For A Dog in 2011.
Contents
Story of a Stray Dog
Squirrel's Early Life
The story begins with Squirrel, a mixed-breed dog. She lives in a shed behind a summer home. She lives with her mother, Stream, and her brother, Bone. Squirrel and Bone were the only two puppies who survived from their litter. Their mother teaches them how to find food and stay hidden from humans.
One day, Stream disappears. Squirrel and Bone must now find their own way. Bone is very brave and likes adventures. Squirrel follows him through forests and different towns. They are always looking for food and a safe place to sleep.
A New Journey
Later, a couple named Marcy and George find the puppies. They are traveling on the highway. Marcy and George think about keeping them. They take the puppies home for one night. But George decides he doesn't want the dogs. He leaves them in a mall parking lot.
Squirrel and Bone get hurt. Other people quickly take Bone away. Squirrel is left all alone. She never sees her brother Bone again.
Meeting Moon
Squirrel is now by herself and very hungry. She meets another female stray dog named Moon. Moon and Squirrel quickly become good friends. They stay close for warmth. They search for food in garbage cans and trash in the woods.
A Sad Goodbye
One day, a truck accidentally hits Moon. Moon dies from her injuries. Squirrel's leg is also broken. A family who hit them takes both dogs to a vet. The vet confirms Moon has passed away. Squirrel's broken leg is treated. She also gets spayed.
Squirrel is renamed Daisy. The family who hit them adopts her for the summer. She lives in their garage. She plays with the family's children every day. But when autumn comes, the family leaves their summer home. They abandon Squirrel.
Squirrel wanders for many years. She eventually finds herself back at the mall parking lot. This is where she and Bone were separated. She follows a smell that reminds her of Bone. But she cannot find him.
A Forever Home
Squirrel, now an old dog, finds shelter from the weather. She hides in a shed behind an old woman's house. The woman's name is Susan.
Squirrel slowly tries to trust Susan. Susan also tries to earn Squirrel's trust. She leaves food out for Squirrel. She feeds Squirrel on her porch. When the weather gets cold, Susan tries to get Squirrel inside. Susan used to have a dog named Maxie.
Finally, Susan gets Squirrel inside her home. Susan decides to keep her. She renames Squirrel "Addie." Susan and Squirrel spend their days together. They run errands in town and cuddle on the couch. They live happily together for the rest of their lives.
Main Characters
Squirrel (Daisy/Addie)
Squirrel is the main character of the book. The story is told from her point of view. She is a female stray puppy. She is one of two puppies who survived in her litter. Squirrel loves to hunt. She learned this skill from her mother. After her mother disappears, Squirrel travels with her brother Bone. Then she travels with her friend Moon. Later, she travels alone as she gets older. Squirrel goes through many sad events. But in the end, she finds a happy home.
Bone
Bone is Squirrel's brother. He is a male stray puppy. He is the other surviving puppy from their litter. After their mother leaves, Bone leads Squirrel from place to place. He is separated from Squirrel when they are left at the mall. Bone is described as having a tough attitude. He is very protective of his sister.
Stream
Stream is the mother of Squirrel and Bone. She takes care of her puppies in a shed. She teaches them to be careful around humans. She also teaches them how to hunt for food. One morning, she leaves the shed and does not come back.
Moon
Moon is a female stray dog. Squirrel becomes friends with her after Bone disappears. Moon is a small dog. She is described as brave, adventurous, and loving. Moon and Squirrel travel together for years. They find food at night and sometimes fight other dogs. Moon is Squirrel's best friend. Squirrel is very sad when Moon dies.
Susan McGrath
Susan is a kind old lady. She puts food out for Squirrel three times a day. She does this on her porch. When it gets cold, she invites Squirrel into her home. Susan adopts Squirrel. She takes her to the vet for a check-up. Susan and Squirrel become very close friends. They do everything together. They live happily together until the end of the book. She renames Squirrel "Addie."
Other Characters
Matthias Merrion
Matthias is the youngest son of the family who owns the shed. This is where Stream, Bone, and Squirrel lived. Matthias found Squirrel and Bone. He kept them a secret from his family. Matthias brought them food scraps and toys. He was the first human the dogs interacted with.
Marcy and George
Marcy and George are a couple. They find Squirrel and Bone on the highway. Marcy wants to keep the dogs. George does not think they are worth the trouble. George leaves the dogs at a mall.
Dr. Roth
Dr. Roth is a veterinarian. She takes care of Moon and Squirrel when they are brought to the clinic. Squirrel remembers Dr. Roth as having gentle hands. Dr. Roth helps fix Squirrel's broken leg. She also spays Squirrel and gives her shots.
The Becker Family
The Becker family includes Margery, Donald, and their parents. They accidentally hit Moon and Squirrel with their car. They take both dogs to the vet. Moon dies, and Squirrel is treated. The Beckers check on Squirrel often. They adopt her after her leg heals. They give Squirrel a warm bed in their garage for the summer. But they abandon her in the autumn. They name Squirrel "Daisy."
