The Dog Who Lost is His Bark is a tale of is the story of a young puppy and his hope to find a good home and of a boy who misses his father. The puppy after living in 2 abusive homes is afraid of people and his spirit is broken by the time he is found and placed in a shelter. This broken spirit is what causes him to refuse to bark. Patrick and his mother adopt this scared puppy however getting the puppy to find his bark will not be an easy task. However, Patrick will need his new friend more than he realizes when he learns that his parents are getting a divorce causing his spirt to be broken.
Children who are sensitive to animal abuse may find this story hard to read at the beginning given the dog's environment. However, they will soon learn that this broken puppy can be healed with love and music.
This story may be great for children who are experiencing loss due to a divorce or separation or child who is an animal lover. The artwork is simply beautiful and helps keep the reader engaged in this beginner’s chapter book. ( )

Sweet little story, lots of love and hope for puppy and humans. Artwork is beautiful! ( )

Cute, touching chapter book about learning to trust again. ( )

A young puppy hopes for the good life his mother has told him of, but finds only bad instead. A young boy who misses his father finds a soulmate in the sad puppy at a local shelter. The puppy’s spirit has been broken, and he has lost his bark. Can Patrick help him find it? And can the puppy return the favor when Patrick is in need of a friend?

It was hard for me to start reading this book because of the puppy’s harsh environment at the beginning. I finally stuck with it and was rewarded with a bittersweet story of the bond between a boy and his dog. This story may resonate with children going through a divorce or parental separation. It will also appeal to budding musicians since music is a secondary theme in the story.

This review is based on an advance reading copy provided by the publisher through LibraryThing’s Early Reviewers program. ( )