Running the Dogs

by Thomas Cochran

Talmidge Cotton's daddy is the kind of person who believes Christmas presents are for Christmas, not two days before. So on the day before Christmas Eve, Tal still isn't sure he'll get what he wants the chance to run his three beagles in the woods at night all by himself. That afternoon it begins to snow, an almost unheard-of occurrence in Louisiana. Tal is excited by the strange and wonderful weather and the prospect of his first white Christmas, but then his dogs disappear into the gathering storm. The next morning, they still aren't home. Even worse, the snow and ice have trapped his father in the southern part of the state, and it doesn't look like he'll make it home anytime soon. With Daddy and the dogs gone, everything seems wrong, and it sure doesn't feel like Christmas Eve . . .

In this heartwarming novel, a boy learns that even though life doesn't always follow your plans, things still sometimes turn out in a way that makes you glad to be in this world.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction

160 pages, Hardcover

First published September 18, 2007

About the author

THOMAS COCHRAN is the author of "Running the Dogs" & "Roughnecks". He lives in West Fork, Arkansas.

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Running the Dogs tells the story of Talmadge Cotton, a young boy in Louisiana whose family is snowed in just a day before Christmas in a freak snowstorm. Talmadge's father is stuck out of town, where he works on oil rigs (or something), and the family isn't sure Daddy will make it home. Talmadge's fondest desire is to "run the dogs" alone out in the woods without adult supervision, and this is what he's asked his father for as a Christmas gift. However, with only a couple of days to go, Talmadge lets the dogs run loose and they disappear, leaving him to worry for their safety as well as giving him his first taste of the real woods in the night time.

The book is a sweet little story for the holidays about the pangs of growing up, the disappointments, heartaches, and tribulations, as well as the joys and excitement of the holidays. The setting of Louisiana and the family's traditions as a family celebrating Christmas there are richly detailed in the traditions and foods the family prepares as it is ready to celebrate Christmas.

[Sonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thomas Cochran creates a suspenseful, teachable moment. The rich culture of Louisiana backwoods shows in this family's celebration of Christmas, but that is not what draws the reader into the story. Ten-year old Tal finds that what he wanted more than anything, to run his dogs alone at night, may not be what it seems. He finds fear.

In sharing with his grandfather, he learns that even with age fear doesn't leave, but he is given wisdom that may conquer it.

A story of facing fear, finding what is important, and growing to be a man.

My boys were held spell-bound and wanting to finish it.

(Just a writer's comment: Because we read it out loud and was thus more noticeable, some of the family discussions became 'he said...she said...he said...they said...' Which became annoying. I found if I just omitted some of the beats, the flow of the story was better, even though the speaker may not have been known directly.)

[Martha McNair · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, juvenile fiction, was published by my colleague last fall. It is a great little story set in northern Louisiana, where he grew up. I highly recommend it. His ear for dialogue is practically perfect, I think.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Children's book I read with my son. wouldn't necessarily recommend as it had a few swear words and talked about Santa not being real.