Larry Levin and his year-old twin sons had just said the painful goodbye to their year-old cat Buzzy at the Ardmore Animal Hospital in Pennsylvania when they met Oogy. The badly disfigured pup had been brought in by police who saved him during a drug raid. No one knows for certain exactly what happened to the puppy, but it is presumed that he had been used as a bait dog and then left to die at the drug house.
Despite his horrific abuse, Oogy was still full of love, and was happy to cover the twins in kisses. The Levins adopted Oogy, and became bully breed advocates. Larry had always wanted to write, and this was the perfect opportunity. The book became a bestseller, and Oogy rose to stardom in the dog world.
The book allowed Larry, along with Oogy, to become involved with rescue fundraisers and be a guest speaker at schools. They thought it was a brain tumor. They cleaned it all out, and he survived.
My co-worker said I would cry, and did I. I think everyone who loves animals should read this book, you'll understand its meaning Feb 24, Donna rated it it was amazing Shelves: fantabulous-shelf. It took me a long while to read this book.
However it was a purely enjoyable venture. Oogie is unlike most dogs, he was used as a bait dog in fights with Pit Bulls. He was rescued by an unbelievable family who helped him to not only heal his insurmountable scars but ensured his emotional rehabilitation. Only this family could help Oogie. Apparently, it came to pass that Oogie was found to be an obscure breed called a Dogo.
He reminded of my sweet PeeWee who weighed over lbs. I too wonder if he was a Dogo! The story brought tears to my eyes since it was one of the most compassionate, selfless acts of a family to love this extraordinary Oogie! Dec 07, Donna rated it really liked it Shelves: non-fiction. This story made my heart ache. First I thought this was going to be cheesy and it seemed like the dog story was just a gimmick because the author starts off talking about his own life for some time.
I kept thinking, "Where's the dog? I have admiration and respect for thos This guy, the one who took Oogy home, deserves the "Best Pet Owner in the World" award. I have admiration and respect for those who step up to the plate and make a difference, like this author and his family. I find these stories inspirational. Aug 22, Nancy rated it it was amazing. I have seen this book on store shelves for two years and at first I could not even look at it then as time passed I picked it up and read the cover.
I decided then I will read it someday. Someday came two years later and I found the book at a thrift store and I was shocked, happy that I found it and sad because I found it. I had to buy it and have the courage to read Oogy's story. Oogy is a very special dog, I had a Chow Chow mix and on February 27, I had to put her down after three mouth s I have seen this book on store shelves for two years and at first I could not even look at it then as time passed I picked it up and read the cover.
Oogy is a very special dog, I had a Chow Chow mix and on February 27, I had to put her down after three mouth surgery's due to cancer, she had her last seizure and could not come out of it and the only thing to do was put her to her forever sleep. I loved her she came to me in the lowest part of my life and lifted me and my spirit out of its dark place. She was a child to me and a sister to my daughter. I loved her and to this day the pain of loosing her is fading and happy memories are always there to warm mine and my daughters souls.
But she always had a good life that I could give her since she left her mother's side. Unlike Oogy's life and I am so thankful that he is in his forever home with a family who love him.
This book is so special and I wish every pet owner would read his book to appreciate their pets and care and love them because they will only get the greatest love in return.
In the dedication part of the book the last sentence will stick to me forever So many people take there pet for-granted, neglected, thirsty and starved for food and affection. I am so glad I read this book and only hope Oogy is well and healthy. Because I know he is loved and care for. Jan 27, Andrea Guy rated it it was amazing Shelves: quick-reads , reads , crazybooktours , memoir , animal.
This is the kind of animal book I love to read, the kind where the animal is still alive at the end. Oogy is a dog that anyone can't help but love and his owner really shows that love as he shares his story of his family and how they came to welcome a poor abused Dogo pup into their lives.
The type of people they were helped shape Oogy's life, just as he helped shape theirs. Larry shares Oogy's life story with the This is the kind of animal book I love to read, the kind where the animal is still alive at the end.
Larry shares Oogy's life story with the world as best as he can. It is wonderful to see a family that can take in a dog like this and give him love.
Oogy is not the prettiest pooch, but how can you not love that face? He's like E. He's so ugly he's cute. What made this story super special was how the Levin's really went above and beyond for this dog. Lucky for Oogy, his owners were attorneys as well as animal lovers. Oogy was really part of the family, like one of the twins said, "Oogy is my brother. Larry loves Oogy and will do just about anything for his dog.
The Levin's are my kind of people. Oogy is my kind of dog! Jul 01, Laura P. I enjoyed this book for reminding me that love does not always come in the package that you expect it too. Oogy was most likely used as a bait dog for dogfighting and it is a testament to his spirit that he remained friendly and amiable despite the pain he must have endured.
The Levin family has a lot of heart for adopting him even though they knew of the medical difficulties they could face. Sometimes the writing style was a little too matter of fact for my taste. There was a lot of description I enjoyed this book for reminding me that love does not always come in the package that you expect it too.
There was a lot of description and emotion at points, but then, for pages and pages it would dry up. Honestly, if the subject matter didn't extremely interest me, I probably would not have continued reading. I did like that the author used Oogy to open up conversations between himself and his adoptive sons. For example, he asked them if they felt different because they were adopted and did they identify with Oogy more because of their background.
The fact that Oogy is a very special dog and the Levin family is very lucky to have him is made abundantly clear. Overall, Oogy is a good book but not a great one. It is particularly a worthwhile read for dog lovers. Dec 08, Rachel rated it it was ok Recommends it for: Animal lovers.
Shelves: non-fiction , tear-jerker-novels , read-from-library , biographies , memoirs-and-autobiographies , animals , reads-of , reviewed. Oogy was a really sweet story and IS a really sweet dog. I am so glad he found a home where he will be loved and accepted.
The ending really made me cry. It is such a small world! I don't know if I would have been able to stand there and let him walk away after knowig that man did that to my dog. I would have wanted to make his face look the same. Then again, that would make me no better of a person than him. Even though I loved Oogy's story, I was not in love with the storyteller.
Levin's Oogy was a really sweet story and IS a really sweet dog. Levin's style seemed a little to forced for me. I know he loves this dog and is passionate about Oogy, but I think he tried to hard. This reason alone is why this book got two stars. Oogy's story was wonderful and inspiring, but it would have been more so with a different storyteller. Long Live Oogy! Aug 08, Cheryl rated it really liked it Shelves: review-gr , dog.
Thoroughly enjoyed this heart-warming story of not only a dog but a family. Sweet and touching, but not overly so, I'd tend to call it more a tribute to the power of second chances when one's heart is open. I can relate on so many levels, from being an adopted parent to having been priviledges to live with a remarkable and unforgettable dog. Kudos not only to Oogy's family but also to Diane Klein, Dr. James Bianco and the staff of the Ardmore Animal Hospital who clearly went beyond and still do.
You are all quiet heros of the very best sort. Nov 30, Sue rated it liked it Shelves: animals. Having once been accused by my daughter of being a person who will "buy any book with a dog on the cover," I have once again proven her to be dangerously close to the truth about her mother.
I do buy an unusual number of books with dogs on the cover. The author's love for Oogy shines from every page, and this alone is reason to smile.
But the unique heart of this particular story is that through Oogy we see proof that some extraordinary creatures "can endure the most agonizing and horrific events without any lasting damage to the spirit, without harm to the ability to give and receive love.
Levin, for sharing it! Feb 05, Michael rated it really liked it Shelves: cannonball-read-iii. Full Disclosure: My good friends at Hachette Book Group provided me with a review copy of this book, upon my request. Special thanks go to Valerie Russo, for facilitating the procurement of this book. Household pets are amazing. They're resilient, they're cuddly, and they're capable of things that even you wouldn't understand.
For the life of me, I don't know why my kittens nibble on the edges of books, outside of my theory that they are indeed trying to read them. The language barrier between Full Disclosure: My good friends at Hachette Book Group provided me with a review copy of this book, upon my request. The language barrier between an owner and their lovely companion is never a problem, as both understands the other through an evolving process of discourse. Some pets pick up good behaviors, some pets pick up bad behaviors.
Put a pet with the wrong owner, and they would most likely pick up traits and commands that the right owner wouldn't exactly approve of. Abuse a pet, and they may never trust a human again, thus leading to a long chain of shelters, aborted homes, and the growing probability of being euthanized, the ultimate sign of giving up on an animal.
However, not all animals who have suffered at the hands of cruelty are unfriendly "beasts" that will never have a home. Oogy is living proof. According to Larry Levin's chronology, Oogy was two months old when he was used as a "bait dog": easy competition to train up tougher dogs willing to fight. The bigger dog presumably latched onto Oogy's face and shook him so hard he fractured his jaw severely and turned his face into a bloody mess.
After lackluster care at an emergency veterinary clinic that assumed he'd never have a home or survive to even have hope of doing so, Diana Klein rescued this dog and brought him to Ardmore Animal Hospital in Ardmore, Pa. Once he was on his feet, the staff of AAH learned that Oogy, despite his rough and tumble beginnings, was still very much a love sponge. He loved all, and all loved him, and even if he never found a home he'd always have Ardmore to fall back on.
Meanwhile, Larry Levin and his family were preparing to say goodbye to their family pet, a cat named Buzzy. The day he and his two sons brought the cat to the vet's office, they met Oogy.
In customary fashion, he sniffed and licked and loved his way into their hearts. They had found their new pet and they knew it was fated to be. Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love is a story of love and redemption, as Levin chronicles his family's adoption process he and his wife adopted their twin boys, as well as Oogy , the daily routine around the house, and ultimately the process of getting Oogy adjusted to his new home.
Jumping back and forth between past and present, Larry ultimately weaves a tale of how where you come from doesn't always determine who you are. It's the people you surround yourself with, the people you develop with, that truly make you who you are. As a pet owner, and as a reader, I enjoyed this book immensely. It's not a page turner, but that's not a knock against its natural pacing. It'll take a little while to read it, but ultimately it's worth the trip. Personally, I'd like to hear more about Oogy and would love another volume of Levin family stories to go along with all of the heartwarming antics of this extremely lovable dog.
Feb 20, Cherie M. Oogy the book is a quick and easy read. There is some unneeded repetition, and there are a lot of minute details. Some people will probably mind the details, but I think they are important to this story.
Adopting any dog or cat and assimilating them into a home can present challenges. Our family currently includes three four-legged members, one dog and two cats, so I can say that the joys definitely outweigh the difficulties. But I think it is critical to understand that many adjustments had t Oogy the book is a quick and easy read. But I think it is critical to understand that many adjustments had to be made by the Levin family. Oogy needed a lot of daily care, like caring for his scar tissue, and ongoing medical care; lifelong high maintenance care.
Some people might read this story and think how great it would be to go out and rescue a dog and live out the feel good aspects of this story themselves, so it is better that they have an idea of the time and commitment caring for special animals requires before rescuing.
Oogy the dog is resilient, loving and special. Thank goodness there are special advocates, veterinarians, vet staff, and adopters out there who fight for the lives and proper care for our four-legged friends. Jun 19, Pamela Pickering rated it really liked it Shelves: memoirs , non-fiction , animals-pets.
After a very slow first chapter, I really enjoyed this heartfelt homage to Oogy, a treasured family pet. Oogy was one of the thousands of dogs used for baiting in dog fighting.
The author truly has felt a true love for the Oogy and I always wonder why many are unable to understand why certain people are drawn to pets who are injured, sick, or debilitated. I think these people empathize with these animals and wonder, "Would anyone be there for me if I were maimed or sick? Perhaps the most eye-opening part of this book was the realization that dog fighters look for "Dog free to good home" type of advertisements in order to add victims to their fight dog training.
In today's economy, many people are forced to relinquish their beloved pets and I see so many of these ads. I wonder how many of these pets were adopted by dog fighters to be torn apart in training? If anything, hopefully this book will educate the public to try to relinquish their pets to valid rescue operations if at all possible.
Follow this link for another look at Oogy. Readers also enjoyed. Biography Memoir. About Larry Levin. Larry Levin. Larry Levin and his family live in a suburb of Philadelphia, PA. He is an attorney in solo practice. He and his wife, Jennifer, have been married for twenty-six years. Oogy the dog came to live with this loving family as the result of some of the most unfortunate circumstances.
You see Oogy is a pit bull and he came from a fighting dog ring. However, his story is not one that we typically hear; he was not taught to be an attack dog or to be overly aggressive to please his owner.
Oogy was a bait dog. Despite the brutal attacks and long recovery, Oogy endured and now lives with a family that loves him unconditionally, even though he lost a ear and has a few battle scars. And what an inspiration he is! This former bait dog is living proof you can go through the most horrific experience imaginable and then come out on the other side, not just okay, but able to find love and happiness.
He's badly scarred and missing an ear, but the Dogo Argentino has brought joy to his adopted family. The 7-year-old Dogo Argentino is missing an ear and his misshaped head is held together with scar tissue. At just 4 months old Oogy was used as bait in a dog-fighting ring. The day in when Levin, an attorney, and his then year-old twin boys first met Oogy was one of the saddest — and, ultimately, happiest — of their lives.
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