Review: Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love by Larry Levin
Reviewed by Vera (Luxury Reading)
When Larry Levin and his adopted twin sons, Noah and Dan, went to a local vet hospital with an ill cat, they did not expect to return with another pet, much less one nearly torn apart by a fighting dog. But when Oogy rushed through the doors and into their arms, he claimed them as his family and there was no turning back.
Initially thought to be a pit bull, Oogy was just a puppy when he was used as bait for another dog. Half of his face was torn away, and he was left bleeding and mangled in a cage in an empty building. Thankfully, a police officer took pity on the pup and brought him to Ardmore Hospital, where he was cared for and sewn back together. Despite the savagery he experienced in his life, Oogy never lost his amazing loving spirit, and warmed the hearts of everyone he came into contact with.
The Levins accepted Oogy as one of their own – providing him the love and care he desperately needed – and they never looked back. Despite the enormous amount of medical care that Oogy has required throughout the years, they made it their mission to give him the best life possible, and made good on their promise.
Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love is a heartwarming account that is likely to appeal to many readers, but especially those with a soft spot for animals. The book also sheds more light on the cruel reality of dog fighting rings; while Oogy’s story has a happy ending, for the majority of fighting dogs and their bait there is no hope in sight. Levin’s writing is sometimes dry and disorganized, but the feeling and compassion behind the story certainly makes up for any weaknesses in the writing itself.
See Oogy in action in this video and enter to win a copy of the book!
This book was provided free of any obligation by Grand Central Publishing. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.
Category: Animals, For the Pet Lover, Gift Ideas, Memoirs, Nonfiction
I read this this past week after seeing it on your site and requesting it from the library. Thanks for the recommendation!
You are correct for this dog the ending is happy but most animals in this situation do not have the same fate. I do not understand animal abuse at all. It is good that the book highlights that dogs that have been exposed to heinous situations can still make a good pet and deserve a chance at a family life.
this is a wonderful good.
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Awww … Cute puppy face. But one thing I’ve learned (the hard way) about doggie books: They. Make. You. Cry. Your. Eyes. Out. Dogs just get in to your heart, deep down in, and then something happens, and you just fall apart … Sigh.
I think I’d fall in love with Oogy if I got to meet him in person though
This book sounds like it will break my heart! I am so glad it has a happy outcome as the horrible conditions Oogy had to initially live with sound horrendous. This sounds like a wonderful testiment to what a little love can do.