A Dog's Life: The Autobiography of a Stray is a children's novel written in 2005 by Ann M. Martin.

Plot

Squirrel is a stray puppy who lives in a shed behind the summer home of a wealthy family with her mother and brother, Bone. When their mother disappears, Squirrel and Bone must set off on their own. The puppies are picked by highway travelers, but then abandoned and thrown out of a car's window while the travelers were at a mall the following day. Squirrel and Bone are injured; Bone is taken away by other shoppers,never to be seen again. Squirrel joins forces with another female stray, Moon, for a short time. Later, after being attacked by stray dogs at a gas station and being with each other for some time, healing each others wounds, the pair are struck by a car, killing Moon instantly and injuring Squirrel. This time, Squirrel is taken to the vet, where she is spayed and her broken leg is treated. She is renamed Daisy and adopted by a family for the summer. In the autumn, Squirrel is once more abandoned. She continues to wander for years. Then Squirrel, now an old dog, wanders around to an old lady's house. Then the old lady sees Squirrel and takes her in. Squirrel finally has a home where she can stay forever.

Resolution

At the end of the story, Susan an old woman , finds Squirrel cold and starving in her backyard, and tries to coax her in. Susan had a dog named Maxie in the past. Squirrel, now an old dog, refuses to come over, and Susan has to gain her trust by leaving food out and gradually moving closer each day. When she finally gets Squirrel inside, she decides to keep her and renames Squirrel "Addie". Afterwards, Susan and Squirrel, both old ladies, enjoy the rest of their lives together.

Reception

A Kirkus Reviews

Kirkus Reviews

Kirkus Reviews is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus . Kirkus serves the book and literary trade sector, including libraries, publishers, literary and film agents, film and TV producers and booksellers. Kirkus Reviews is published on the first and 15th of each month...

review says,
"Heart-wrenching as well as heart-warming".
A Publishers Weekly

Publishers Weekly

Publishers Weekly, aka PW, is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers and literary agents...

review says,
"Though Martin is sometimes inconsistent about what Squirrel does and does not know, listeners will be too hooked on the emotional notes and occasional dramatic moments here to mind".
This book also was a winner in the YRCA(Young Readers Choice Awards).