There's not a lot of joy for Scraggly, or for her owners. The Dog Who Dared to Dream is a story about a dog, but it's a story about relationships and hardship and sorrow and pain. until the day the man arrives and she finds herself alone again. When she gives birth to her own litter of puppies, it seems as though her family is complete once more. She's constantly goaded by the old cat next door, and absolutely disgusted when the Screechers bring home a rooster hen one day. Her owners, Grandma and Grandpa Screecher are poor people and they can't afford to keep so many dogs, they breed the dogs, to get some money, that's their way of life. Scraggly is the scruffiest dog in the litter, and gradually, her more attractive and graceful siblings are taken away, and then one day, her mother disappears too. I guess it is, as Scraggly the dog who did dare to dream is a fighter, but my goodness it's pretty raw too. I think the book is supposed to be inspirational. All a bit sweet and sickly for me really, The Dog Who Dared To Dream is not cute, it is not sweet or sickly. There are lots of books on the market that feature lovely fluffy dogs. and to try to clear the lump in my throat. Picking it up, reading a few pages at a time and then going away to think about it. It should have taken me a few hours to read, but instead I've been reading this, on and off for a few weeks now.

There are just over 160 pages in this book. This is a beautifully written, very short novel that is written for adults, although children aged 12 and upwards would enjoy it too. It would be easy to assume that The Dog Who Dared To Dream is aimed at children, or young adults, but it isn't.

Sun mi hwang the dog who dared to dream