A dog named Beautiful : a Marine, a dog, and a long road trip home

Title:

Author:

Kugler, Rob, author.

Personal Author:

Kugler, Rob, author.

ISBN:

9781250164254

Edition:

First edition.

Physical Description:

viii, 293 pages, 8 unnumbered leaves of plates : illustrations (some color) ; 22 cm

Contents:

Prologue -- One man and his dog. A new life on three legs ; Let out to run free ; Only one problem-- me -- Everyone's a friend ; Gentle warrior -- A long way from home. Lemons ; A bird to chase ; Flag-draped box ; I will never leave you ; A sense of accomplishment ; My entire world -- Unconditional love. Pawsivity ; Mike's sunset ; Just one more ride ; Funny how we show our love ; From beginning to end ; The end of the line ; Come, find me on the beach -- Epilogue.

Abstract:

"Rob Kugler's A Dog Named Beautiful is an uplifting and unforgettable story of a US Marine, his extraordinary dog, and the road trip of a lifetime."--Provided by publisher.

US Marine Rob Kugler not only gave a year of his life in service to his country, but he had also lost a brother in the fighting. Lost in grief, Rob found solace and relief in the one thing that never failed to put a smile on his face: his chocolate lab Bella. When Bella developed cancer, the prognosis wasn't good. Instead of waiting at home for the cancer to spread after amputating the cancer-riddled leg, Rob and Bella packed their bags and hit the road. As they criss-crossed the country Rob and Bella met people quick to make friends with this incredible three-legged dog, and shared hope, love, tears, and laughs. -- adapted from jacket

Personal Subject:

Kugler, Rob-Travel.

Corporate Subject:

United States. Marine Corps -- Biography.

Subject Term:

Dog owners -- Biography.

Dogs with disabilities -- Biography.

Families of war casualties -- Biography.

Human-animal relationships.

Iraq War, 2003-2011 -- Veterans -- Biography.

Labrador retriever -- Biography.

Marines -- Biography.

Pets and travel -- Anecdotes.

Veterans -- Biography.

Summary:

"Rob Kugler's A Dog Named Beautiful is an uplifting and unforgettable story of a US Marine, his extraordinary dog, and the road trip of a lifetime."--Provided by publisher.

Holds:

Available:*

Library	Material Type	Shelf Number	Status
Searching... Main Library	Book	359.9 K95 X	Searching... Unknown

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

An uplifting and unforgettable story of a US Marine, his extraordinary dog, and the road trip of a lifetime.

"A beautiful, beautiful book." -- Jenna Bush Hager

When US Marine Rob Kugler returns from war he had given up not only a year of his life in service to his country, but he had also lost a brother in the fighting as well. Lost in grief, Rob finds solace and relief in the one thing that never fails to put a smile on his face: his chocolate lab Bella. Exceptionally friendly, and always with - you wouldn't believe it - a smile on her face, Bella is the friend Rob needs, and they spend their days exploring nature and taking photos.

But then Bella develops a limp in her front leg. It's cancer, and the prognosis isn't good. Rob has a choice, either to let Bella go now, or amputate her cancer riddled leg, and see what the next few months would bring.

For Rob, the choice is a no-brainer, and instead of waiting at home for the cancer to spread, Rob and Bella pack their bags and hit the road. Life is short, but the road ahead is long and winding, and as they criss-cross the country Rob and Bella meet remarkable, life-changing men and women who are quick to make friends with this incredible three-legged dog. A Dog Named Beautiful is a book full of inspiration, hope, love, tears, and laughs. Enjoy the journey.

Reviews (1)

Kirkus Review

A man and his dog travel the country after a grave diagnosis.When Kugler, a photographer and former Marine staff sergeant received the diagnosis, he was shocked: Bella, his beloved chocolate Lab, had advanced osteosarcoma that had spread to her front leg. The cancer was predicted to kill her in 3 to 6 months even if they removed the leg. Still, the author rejected the vet's suggestion of euthanasia. "There's no way I'm going to put her down," he writes. "Bella means the world to me. She's stuck with me through everything. She models the components of what it means to be alivehappiness, freedom, service, purpose, pleasure, joy. She prizes the very act of being. No, as long as there are viable options, I will not take this dog's life." As he recounts, Bella was there for him during the toughest moments of his lifee.g., when he found out his brother had been killed while on duty near Baghdad. Determined to make Bella's last moments the best he could, Kugler set out on a trip across the U.S., visiting family and friends and staying with strangers who connected with him via social media and invited them into their homes in order to visit with Bella and hear their inspiring story. Throughout the narrative, it's abundantly clear how much loving attention he gave to Bellaand vice versaand while much of the book is reflective and poignant, the author also captures the silly moments. Kugler made heroic efforts to make their last days together as memorable as possible, knowing he would never have another dog quite like Bella. His tale is engaging and sometimes heart-rending, and it will be a certain tear-jerker for dog lovers.Love, devotion, and slobbery kisses abound in this heartwarming story of a man and his treasured chocolate Lab. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.