WHO'S WALKING DAWG?

A pointed reminder for dog owners.

Dawg’s got a great life—as all “dawgs” deserve—but today, as he waits impatiently to be walked, leash in mouth, tail wagging, no one’s paying attention. Dad’s making pizza for dinner, Mom’s at her computer, Bro’s playing guitar, and Sis is on her phone. Everyone tells Dawg to ask someone else to walk him. Finally, Dawg takes matters into his own paws and takes himself out. Little One, playing with a train set, notices and says, “Dawg gone!” No one hears. Dawg has a blast visiting his favorite areas of the yard, observing neighborhood animals, sniffing wonderful fragrances on the sidewalk, and detecting telltale aromas left behind by other pooches at the telephone pole, fire hydrant, and mailbox. He performs the act he originally went outside for. A fun jaunt in the park with his pals rounds out his walk, but soon he realizes that he’s hungry. At this point, Dawg’s family finally remembers that no one’s walked him, and Little One repeats, “Dawg gone.” This time, everyone hears. Panic-stricken, the family searches the neighborhood, but all ends happily as Dawg returns home to loving embraces and everyone asking, “Who’s feeding Dawg?” (He gets pizza, too.) Kids, particularly dog lovers, will enjoy this very sweet story. The colorful, loosely drawn illustrations depict a warm, light-skinned, realistically busy family. Dawg’s an endearing, large, shaggy pooch with light brown fur.

An appealing story sure to captivate children who appreciate dog “tails.”