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Before You Were Mine
A little boy imagines what life was like for his new dog before he adopted him from a shelter. Maybe he had a boy who loved him, but the family had to move and couldn't keep him. Maybe he belonged to someone who didn't appreciate how mischievous puppies can be. Maybe he was treated badly, and now he can be shown all the love he's been missing. This boy wonders about all of these things, but maybe they don't matter. Because now, his dog is home.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 20, 2007
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211 people want to read
About the author
Maribeth Boelts
81 books41 followersMaribeth Boelts is a former teacher who has written 40 books for children. She lives in Iowa and enjoys all things nature and family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
March 28, 2012
I am wavering between four and five stars for this one, so I'll be generous.
It's the story of a young boy who gets a new dog from the shelter and wonders what the dog's life was like before he belonged with the boy and his family. Did the dog have another little boy? But maybe the boy's family had to move and couldn't take the dog. Or maybe the dog got out one day and they boy's family didn't look for him hard enough. Or maybe the dog had mean owners who called him a "bad dog" even when it wasn't true. The boy knows the dog had a long time on his own before he was taken to the shelter, cleaned up and made ready to find a new forever home. Ultimately, the boy decides that what really matters now is that the dog is HOME, with him.
The story is at once heartbreaking and uplifting. The story rang so true to me, because I volunteer at a cat shelter and I often wonder what happened to the cats before they come to us (or, in some cases, I do know and it is heartbreaking!) I also know that animals have wonderfully loving and resilient natures and, even if they suffered from being given up or by abuse, most of them are so ready to find a new home, new people to love and who will love them in return. I appreciate that the author wanted to make a point that sometimes it is a good thing to adopt an adult dog, vs. a "cute little puppy", and the reasons she gives are all true (and also apply with cats). So many wonderful, wonderful animals are passed over because they are not the cute little puppy/kitten, even if they are only a year old. I am glad this book speaks on their behalf.
This story brought tears to my eyes. I think it would do the same for many animal lovers, and many children. I feel that parental guidance should be exercised in deciding whether this is a story to share with your little ones. On the one hand, if children are already wondering about what their new pet's life might have been like, the story could provide some answers. On the other hand, sensitive children might be troubled to learn of some of the hardships their new pet had gone through and it might be very heart-wrenching for them.
It's the story of a young boy who gets a new dog from the shelter and wonders what the dog's life was like before he belonged with the boy and his family. Did the dog have another little boy? But maybe the boy's family had to move and couldn't take the dog. Or maybe the dog got out one day and they boy's family didn't look for him hard enough. Or maybe the dog had mean owners who called him a "bad dog" even when it wasn't true. The boy knows the dog had a long time on his own before he was taken to the shelter, cleaned up and made ready to find a new forever home. Ultimately, the boy decides that what really matters now is that the dog is HOME, with him.
The story is at once heartbreaking and uplifting. The story rang so true to me, because I volunteer at a cat shelter and I often wonder what happened to the cats before they come to us (or, in some cases, I do know and it is heartbreaking!) I also know that animals have wonderfully loving and resilient natures and, even if they suffered from being given up or by abuse, most of them are so ready to find a new home, new people to love and who will love them in return. I appreciate that the author wanted to make a point that sometimes it is a good thing to adopt an adult dog, vs. a "cute little puppy", and the reasons she gives are all true (and also apply with cats). So many wonderful, wonderful animals are passed over because they are not the cute little puppy/kitten, even if they are only a year old. I am glad this book speaks on their behalf.
This story brought tears to my eyes. I think it would do the same for many animal lovers, and many children. I feel that parental guidance should be exercised in deciding whether this is a story to share with your little ones. On the one hand, if children are already wondering about what their new pet's life might have been like, the story could provide some answers. On the other hand, sensitive children might be troubled to learn of some of the hardships their new pet had gone through and it might be very heart-wrenching for them.
September 9, 2008
i started to read this book at PetSmart while closing one night and ended up crying. what a sweet book. i told all the other cashiers about it and they read it and cried too. the illustrations are so sweet.
part of what makes this book so bittersweet for me is the fact that i see so many people come into the store with a brand new puppy. the kids are so excited, everyone is happy. But two years later, they are back for bark collars. They don't bring the dog in for exercise or treats or socialization. No one pays attention to the dog anymore. And all this beautiful dog wants is to be by your side. He doesn't understand why he was so loved and petted at the beginning and now is forgotten.
i just want everyone to think really, really hard before getting a dog and be committed to loving it and doing as much for it 6 years from now as you do when it is a puppy.
part of what makes this book so bittersweet for me is the fact that i see so many people come into the store with a brand new puppy. the kids are so excited, everyone is happy. But two years later, they are back for bark collars. They don't bring the dog in for exercise or treats or socialization. No one pays attention to the dog anymore. And all this beautiful dog wants is to be by your side. He doesn't understand why he was so loved and petted at the beginning and now is forgotten.
i just want everyone to think really, really hard before getting a dog and be committed to loving it and doing as much for it 6 years from now as you do when it is a puppy.
July 14, 2008
I sit in a library, processing children's books for circulation, turning the pages of this book, sobbing for the dog I lost, and smiling for the dog I've gained. This is a terrific book about adopting an animal with an uncertain past and being able to provide a certain future of love.
April 28, 2018
This is the most endearing book. The little boy who has adopted a shelter dog wonders what the dog's life was like before he was adopted. A good vehicle for encouraging rescue as opposed to puppy buying as well as a good lesson on how to be a responsible dog owner. The soft pastel illustrations give the book such a personal and intimate feeling.
October 30, 2018
Currently ugly-crying at work.
September 14, 2017
OMG. I showed this to a coworker at work, with the warning it would make her cry, and we both ended up crying.
March 29, 2008
Sweet, sweet story of a boy who has chosen a dog from a shelter, and wonders what the dog's life was like before he took him home. He speculates as to who the dog’s previous owners were, why they would give him up, and if he was scared and alone before he was taken to the shelter. One stirring spread is dedicated to the boy saying goodbye to his “old dog, as worn-out and friendly as she could be....” The muted colors and soft edges of David Walker’s illustrations make them perfectly suited for the warmth and earnest tone found in Boelts’ words. Share this with your children, especially if you have a dog or other pet. I have to warn you, though--if you read this book with your kids, you just might find yourself driving to the nearest shelter!
April 9, 2008
Written from the prospective of a boy who adopts a dog from a shelter, this book goes into a little too much detail about a dog's life in an unhappy home.
CIP:
A young boy imagines what his rescued dog's life might have been like before he adopted him.
"Outstanding job."School Library Journal
"Packs a wallop." Kirkus Reviews
OK, so, maybe one of the problems is that I'm not enough of a pet person. I really didn't like this book though...I thought the illustrations were more indicative of a book for preschoolers, but seriously, talking about an animal being chained to a pole is a little grim for preschoolers. I'm all for animal adoption, but this book really hit me the wrong way.
CIP:
A young boy imagines what his rescued dog's life might have been like before he adopted him.
"Outstanding job."School Library Journal
"Packs a wallop." Kirkus Reviews
OK, so, maybe one of the problems is that I'm not enough of a pet person. I really didn't like this book though...I thought the illustrations were more indicative of a book for preschoolers, but seriously, talking about an animal being chained to a pole is a little grim for preschoolers. I'm all for animal adoption, but this book really hit me the wrong way.
April 25, 2017
A very nice book about animal rescue, where a young boy wonders what life was like for their dog before they adopted him. This sweet story is perfect for families who have rescued a pet. Caleb loves our shelter dog!
February 5, 2009
A lovely dog adoption book. Do have some tissues handy when you read it!
January 20, 2011
So sweet.
April 12, 2015
Aw the feels! Makes me that much happier that we adopted our cat from a shelter.
Giving life is a true gift!
Giving life is a true gift!
December 14, 2015
I totally cried the whole way though this book...
September 28, 2017
This had me bawling at work. What a beautiful story, and great for those who love dogs or have adopted a dog.
July 10, 2023
OK, 3.7 stars…. I loved the art and I appreciate the subject, but it was depressing! I’ve adopted a shelter dog and taken in one off of the street. They were both wonderful dogs and we miss them so much. I was so torn about what to say for this book. Kids don’t need to know that many animals are neglected and abused … just my opinion. I’m glad I didn’t have that picture in my head when I was little.
I wouldn’t have it on my shelf to read to just any kid; I like what one person said about it possibly answering questions for a child who has adopted a pet.
Basically a picture book for adults who love animals and already know about evil in the world. This is uplifting (sniff-sniff!) for them. 😢
I wouldn’t have it on my shelf to read to just any kid; I like what one person said about it possibly answering questions for a child who has adopted a pet.
Basically a picture book for adults who love animals and already know about evil in the world. This is uplifting (sniff-sniff!) for them. 😢
August 3, 2018
What a sweet find from the bookstore at the Best Friends National Conference in LA!
A boy adopts a dog from a shelter. The boy wonders all kinds of things about his new little pup, such as what kind of family he had previously, why they gave him up, and whether he ever slept on cold streets and in dark alleys – things anyone who’s ever adopted a shelter animal thinks about. But, ultimately, the boy realizes – as we all do – that none of that really matters. All that matters is that they belong to each other now. Charming watercolor illustrations by David Walker bring to life this touching tale encouraging adoption.
A boy adopts a dog from a shelter. The boy wonders all kinds of things about his new little pup, such as what kind of family he had previously, why they gave him up, and whether he ever slept on cold streets and in dark alleys – things anyone who’s ever adopted a shelter animal thinks about. But, ultimately, the boy realizes – as we all do – that none of that really matters. All that matters is that they belong to each other now. Charming watercolor illustrations by David Walker bring to life this touching tale encouraging adoption.
June 19, 2021
Having adopted all of the kitties in my life from shelters, this book makes me smile from ear to ear. I appreciate the idea that we wonder about the life our furry family members had before they joined our family. This book also looks at those lives before animals were surrendered and helps us appreciate the fact that it is not always a choice people want to make but are sometimes forced into and that those people hope for a happy story on the other side as well. A sweet book to read in general but definitely one to read if anyone is thinking of getting a pet so that they choose a shelter animal first.
April 11, 2019
There is a little boy who imagines the life of his new dog before he adopted him from a shelter. This little boy wonders about every little part of the dogs life with if his family loved him to was he a bad puppy to them. This book is a very good lesson to students that it is very important to adopt dogs at the shelters because everyone needs a warm home to live in. Another good use for this book in a classroom is showing the kids to use their imagination when it comes to creating their own stories.
September 27, 2019
When a young boy adopts an adorable dog from a shelter, he wonders about his dog's life before the adoption. The simple text and wonderful illustrations are just awesome and capture - perfectly - thoughts every person has had after adopting a shelter dog. Wondering about how previous owners treated the dog you now love and wondering about prior names and wanting to make for the times the dog might have been hungry, lonely, scared. This is a very emotion packed read - and my Storytime audience loved it.
November 27, 2017
This book touches on the loss of a pet, but also on the joy that a new pet brings to your life. I liked this book because it is from the point of a young boy wondering about his dog's life before he was his dog. I thought this was interesting because it was something I had never really thought about before. I liked the pictures in this book because they added details to the story that weren't in the text.
April 25, 2023
“the hopeful potential of his future”
I like the way the book goes through all the thoughts the boy had of what could have happened to the dog before they adopted it from the shelter, both good and bad, and the way it tries to get you to want to adopt a dog from a shelter rather than from somewhere else.
The illustrations are in a fuzzy crayon style.
I like the way the book goes through all the thoughts the boy had of what could have happened to the dog before they adopted it from the shelter, both good and bad, and the way it tries to get you to want to adopt a dog from a shelter rather than from somewhere else.
The illustrations are in a fuzzy crayon style.
May 27, 2017
I could never read this book out loud to kids because it makes me cry! It's about a boy who wonders where his new dog was before he adopted him out of a shelter. Good lesson to teach kids about rescuing animals from a shelter instead of buying from a breeder. Adopt, don't shop.
April 19, 2018
THIS BOOK HAD ME CRYING IN PUBLIC, IN A GOOD WAY.
To boot, it includes a wonderful message at the back. Recommended for 100% of families adopting pets. (Or for any child who could use a dose of empathy.)
To boot, it includes a wonderful message at the back. Recommended for 100% of families adopting pets. (Or for any child who could use a dose of empathy.)
June 19, 2017
Somewhat sad initially but ends on a sweet note. A boy and a dog; you can't go wrong with this combination, especially when the dog is adopted from a shelter.
July 25, 2017
I love this one. It makes me sad, but it is so sweet. Adopt, don't shop!
November 14, 2017
This made me a little teary :)
April 10, 2018
This one made me tear up a little. Maybe because I am the proud Mom of two rescues, one who we saw thrown from a car and the other who came to us with dozens of scars.
August 22, 2018
I started crying in the bookstore.
August 27, 2018
gentle intro to animal welfare for children
October 31, 2018
Such a good childrens book. Hits home hard if you are a dog lovers, especially if you have a shelter dog.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews