Module 8 - Flawed Dogs: The Shocking Raid on Westminster

Breathed, B. (2009). Flawed dogs: the shocking raid on Westminster. NewYork: Philomel  

         Books.

Summary:

Sam is a dachshund who belongs to Heidy, an orphan who loves him.  However, Heidy lives in ahouse with a poodle named Cassius.  Cassius is envious of Sam and sets out to destroy him.  He eventually manages to get rid of Sam, and Sam ends up at the pound.  Once at the pound, Sam learns the difference between ‘show’ dogs, and dogs that are flawed.  Sam manages to escape the pound, but has another run in with Cassius.  During their encounter, Cassius informs Sam that Heidy loves him now, and proceeds to back Sam up into a metal trap.  Sam loses his back leg and faints.  He awakens in an animal experiment lab, where he is used for experiments for three years.  Upon escaping the lab, Sam is hit by a truck.  The driver of the truck saves Sam, and creates a new leg for him out of a gravy ladle.  However, the driver needs money and arranges for Sam to fight in a dog fight.  Sam manages to escape, and meets up with other ‘flawed’ dogs.  He decides that the ultimate revenge on Cassius would be to ruin the Westminster Dog Show before Cassius could win.  He manages to do this, and is ultimately reunited with Heidy at the dog show. 

My Impression:

I chose to read this book based on the author.  Breathed was the author of the Bloom County and Opus comic series.  He illustrated the pictures that are in the book, and his style is recognizable.  I enjoyed the book, although it is not one that I would have read if I had not been familiar with the author.  The book definitely jumps around a lot, and at times it was a little bit difficult to follow.  The ending was very well done.  Even though Sam is no longer a show dog, and is now a dog with flaws, he is reunited with the girl who loves him no matter what.  Parts of the book hint at violence, but nothing is described in detail.  This is definitely a book that animal lovers would enjoy.  Even though the review recommends the book for grades 3-6, I think older students and even adults would enjoy it as well.

Library Usage:

This book is full of events.  It would make an excellent book to read aloud over a period of a couple of weeks, and then complete a sequencing activity.  Having students retell the events of the story would allow them to practice using their transition words in writing, such as:  first, next, then, finally. 

This book can also be used to discuss beauty in our society.  In the book, show dogs are valued more than the ‘flawed’ dogs.  Students could discuss ways in which that message is sent to people in our current society.  What other similarities do they see between the dog world in the book and our modern society?

Review:

3-6--This chapter book is a spin-off of Breathed's 2003 picture book of the same name (Little, Brown). Sam the dachshund was bred to be an award-winning show dog, right down to his priceless "Duüglitz tuft." But Sam has no interest in appearances; like all dogs, beautiful or "flawed," all he really wants is to belong to someone special, and to be loved. After a dramatic escape from his frightful new owner, he sneaks into a girl's luggage and soon wins her affections. But Cassius, a champion full-size poodle and denizen of Sam's new home, is not accustomed to being second in anyone's heart and is determined to get rid of him. What follows is a series of misadventures for Sam and a group of abandoned animals from the National Last-Ditch Dog Depository. Featuring some harrowing moments, this is not a story for the faint of heart, but readers will definitely be rooting for Sam and his comically imperfect band of followers. Black-and-white and full-color illustrations, done in the award-winning author's familiar style, are sprinkled throughout, adding depth to an already engaging and well-paced tale.

Marie, J. (2009). Flawed Dogs, the Novel: The Shocking Raid on Westminster. School Library Journal, 55(11), 101.