Walking Ollie

June 2, 2008
British writer Foster (It Cracks Like Breaking Skin
) chronicles the many trials and misadventures of first-time dog ownership as he and his girlfriend consider various breeds, traipse through the woods with an eccentric vizsla breeder, scour animal shelters—and finally meet their match in Ollie, a fearful, stubborn saluki-greyhound mix. Resembling a Giacometti sculpture and profoundly defiant with strong ideas of his own about everything from mealtime manners to walks in the park, Ollie dispels Foster’s hopes for a gentle canine companion; he leads the author into a series of comedic calamities—an unsuccessful attempt at discipline known as “the Incident of the Smack,” a visit with Attila the animal psychologist, a wild chase through the park and across several busy streets and the disastrous afternoon of the fishing competition. Along the way, Foster and Ollie meet new human and canine friends, attempt to grow into their new roles as owner and pet, and ultimately discover how to love each other. Ollie makes for an entertaining and completely unpredictable subject, and this book will delight animal lovers with its warmth and wit.

June 1, 2008
Reveling in his own curmudgeonly nature, Foster, whose writing credits include both fiction and nonfiction, delivers anabsolutely delightful tale of man and dog, a Britishcounterpart to the verypopular Marley & Me (2005) but withits own considerable charm.After waxing long on the behavior andhabits of dogs in general (poop is mentioned in a variety of contexts), Foster turns his attention to his own dog, Ollie, rescued as a puppy and named after one of literatures more famous orphans (think Twist). Part Saluki and part greyhound, Ollie was nevermore at homeor moregraceful than when he was off leash, racing, almost flying, across the park. But as a house pet, Olliehad issues. Wind, sirens, and buzzing flies frightened him; but most problematic wasOllies inexplicable fear ofFoster himself.In crisp, heartwarming, and honest chapters, Fosterencapsulates the pairsdifficult journey towardlove and trust, an account thatdeliversnot onlyan abundanceof laughs but also an insightful glimpse of who dog lovers really are.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)