Review of "The Fast and the Furriest" by Andy Behrens

This book was recommended to me by my Goodreads friend Banny Kirsten Marie, who knows I like books about dogs. Though the story is written for kids from 9 to 12, it can be enjoyed by dog lovers of any age. 😊

*****

As the story opens, it's summer break for Chicago schools, and 12-year-old Kevin Pugh is looking forward to lazy days in his basement - playing video games, watching television, munching cheesy snacks.....



…..and hanging out with his beagle-mix Cromwell, a dog so lazy he could be mistaken for a dog-shaped throw pillow.



Kevin's getting started on his torpid summer.....channel surfing.....when he comes across The Animal Channel's broadcast of 'The Purina Incredible Dog Challenge' - a canine agility competition.



Amazingly, Cromwell is galvanized by the program. He sits up, stares at the television, and starts blinking, shaking, and panting with excitement.



Kevin is shocked that Cromwell moved, then flabbergasted when the chubby beagle-mix leaps off the couch and dashes around the room, knocking things down and leaving chaos in his wake. After Kevin cleans up, Cromwell presents his leash for a walk - an unheard of occurrence.



Cromwell proceeds to run, jump, and bounce through the backyard, ending with a jump into the tire swing....where he gets stuck. Impressed with Cromwell's newfound energy, Kevin decides to email a canine training school he saw advertised on TV - 'Paw Patch, Inc. - Obedience Training and Dog Agility' - on Cromwell's behalf.

The facility's owner, Elka Brandt - who looks like a pirate on her TV commercials - emails back immediately.....addressing Cromwell. Elka congratulates Cromwell for leading Kevin to Paw Patch and informs the dog that sessions cost $200.



Kevin asks his parents if they'll fund Cromwell's agility classes, but this presents a problem. Kevin's dad is Howie Pugh, a former Chicago Bears linebacker who's now a football analyst, local sports hero, and the most competitive creature on Earth. Howie's a good father, but he wants his kids to be athletes.

Kevin's 10-year-old sister Izzy fits the bill, being a soccer superstar.



Kevin, however - who's chunky and uncoordinated - doesn't want to do sports. Howie doesn't seem to get this, though, and makes a deal with his son: if Kevin goes to summer football camp Howie will CONSIDER paying for Cromwell's agility lessons.



Football camp doesn't go too well and it looks like Cromwell won't be going to Paw Patch. Then Kevin's best friend Zach - who's very impressed with the beagle-mix - makes an offer.



He'll pony up the $200 for dog school and become Cromwell's 'manager' - recouping his money when Cromwell becomes famous. Zach even has 'Team Cromwell' shirts made - for himself, Kevin, and the dog.



So.....Cromwell goes to agility classes, with Elka Brandt as his dog whisperer (literally) and Kevin as his trainer/handler. Kevin and Cromwell spend a lot of time running, exercising, and practicing on the doggie obstacle course, which includes: running up and down an A-frame ramp; jumping over three hurdles; racing through a fabric cylinder; leaping over three more hurdles; dashing up an incline, across a plank, then down an incline; racing through a U-shaped tunnel; jumping onto a table; weaving through a series of poles; running up and down a seesaw; then.....for the final obstacle.....jumping through a hoop.







All this - and a proper diet - shapes up both Cromwell and Kevin, and the beagle-mix is entered in the 'Paw Patch Invitational' agility competition.....whose winner goes on to the 'Midwest Kennel Club Championship.' To find out what happens, you'll have to read the book.



This is a charming story filled with engaging characters, lots of humor, and a heartwarming finale. It's a great book for kids.....and adults who want a light frothy read. Highly recommended. 

Rating: 4 stars