Bailey's Story

A Dog's Purpose Puppy Tales

by W. Bruce Cameron

From W. Bruce Cameron, the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling novel A Dog's Purpose, which is now a major motion picture!Bailey's Story is a heartwarming illustrated novel adapted for young readers from the beloved and New York Times bestselling A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron. Every dog has work to do. Every dog has a purpose. When Bailey meets eight-year-old Ethan, he quickly figures out his to play with the boy, to explore the Farm during summers with the boy, and to tidy the boy's dishes by licking them clean (only when Mom isn't watching). But Bailey soon learns that life isn't always so simple--that sometimes bad things happen--and that there can be no greater purpose than to protect the boy he loves. Bailey's Story is a moving tale about a dog and his boy for young animal lovers by W. Bruce Cameron, bestselling author of the acclaimed novel A Dog's Purpose. Adorable black-and-white illustrations by Richard Cowdrey bring Bailey and his world to life. A discussion and activity guide at the end of the book will help promote family and classroom discussions about Bailey's Story and the insights it provides about humankind's best friends.At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Genres: Dogs, Fiction, Animals, Middle Grade, Childrens, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction

210 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 20, 2013

About the author

I’ve always loved dogs, which puts me in a unique category along with what, maybe two or three billion people?

What’s not to love about an animal who will sit in your living room all day long, waiting for you to get home, and even if you need to work late and then stop for a stress-relieving beverage on your way home, when you unlock that front door, is absolutely overjoyed to see you? How could you not adore an animal who senses when your day is not going well and tries to cheer you up by dumping a sodden tennis ball in your lap?

I was probably 8 years old, playing in the back yard of our house in Prairie Village, KS, when my dad opened the gate and in rushed a 9-week-old Labrador puppy. I fell to my knees and spread my arms and that dog leaped into them as if we had loved each other our whole lives. It’s a scene that shows up in A Dog’s Purpose—a puppy and a boy meeting each other the very first time, both of them full of unrestrained joy.

We named the dog Cammie. She arrived in my life when I was just beginning to connect some of the dots in my memory to make a picture of who I was, forming my identity as a child. I remember every skinned knee and bicycle ride in the context of Cammie, who was always there for me. And I lost her just as I was starting to leave childhood behind, passing on after I’d spent a year in college. That’s Cammie, the dog of my childhood.

Years later I was riding my bicycle in the mountains outside of Pine, CO. A chance decision to bounce down a dirt road led me past a few scattered ranches and one small house near a creek, set back from the road at least 50 yards. A single “woof” from a dog caught my attention, and I braked and stood in the dry, clear air, regarding the dog who had called out to me.

She was on a chain by the house, and a fence stood between us, so I remained on the road even though I could see that the dog, a black lab mix with a crazily active tail, was clearly friendly. I gazed at her and the dog sat, attentive, staring into my eyes exactly the way my first dog, Cammie, used to look at me, really seeing into me.

And that’s when the thought hit me. What if this wonderful dog was Cammie? What if dogs live over and over again, and always remember us?

I dismissed the thought, waved at the dog, and rode away, but days later the idea came back to me. What if?

I’ve been a writer my whole life, but never have I ever written anything as important as A Dog’s Purpose.

I can’t promise you that A Dog’s Purpose will make you love your dog more—how could it do that? But I’ll tell you what a lot of people have told me: after reading A Dog’s Purpose, you’ll never look at your dog the same way again.

Reviews

[Becky Moynihan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet, heart-warming read from the perspective of man’s best friend!

[Darlene Vendegna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely LOVED this book. It makes me wonder if W. Bruce Cameron is at least part golden retriever because he seems to have perfectly captured the personality and mindset of one. This sweet story is told from the point of view of Bailey the puppy, who knows immediately upon meeting 'his boy' that his job is to take care of him no matter what. He is taught many important things like 'Get the Ball' and 'Dog Door', but it's the things that he knows instinctively and the boundless love he gives to his boy, Ethan, that make him the most good of all the good dogs. This is an excellent chapter book for middle school readers and full grown readers who love dogs. Warning, if your child does not yet have a dog, they will be asking for one before they finish reading this book.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just look at that little face and tell me you could resist him anything he wanted!!! My little friend Jessica brought this home from her school library and immediately had to read it. It should be read by everyone that loves a dog, has ever loved a dog, or has been loved by a dog. I fit all three of those categories and Jessica does also. I think she's more drawn to that cute little face than the actual story. I told her about my friend on Library Thing that just lost her little dog, Oliver and has started a Memorial Challege to Oliver on this site. One of the categories is to read a book or books, with a dog in the story or on the cover, to which Jessica immediately said, 'this is for Oliver". I believe that Mr. Cameron would have loved Oliver. This is just the excerpt of Bailey's story from the book, A Dog's Purpose. It is not a new story...but it's done on a better level for children and leaves out some of the sadder parts...although there are still some. This author has a genuine gift for putting to voice the innocence we see in dogs....and what the dog sees in we humans.

[Stephen Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dog book told from a dog's point of view doing normal dog stuff from puppyhood to when his boy is older but thankfully not to the point where Kleenex is needed in the end. Well written enough for what it is, I believe aimed at youth.

I give it a lower rating for a couple of reasons. I personally am not a fan of when the dog narrates the books or the dog's thoughts are written, but at least those thoughts were what you would expect a dog to think and not unrealistic. it starts off with the dog in a puppy farm, and then someone who leaves it in a enclosed car on a sunny day. I am not sure how much covering bad dog situations are is needed, we all should know those are bad things. I also thought the situations where the dog saves the day, or contributes to saving a situation, were common to a lot of dog books. Someone who has read less dog books than I might not be so jaded on that point. I know it is hard to think of a new spin on heroic dog saves, but that is what helps elevate a dog book above others.

Reading this book let's me check off this book in Wesley Bank's '100 best dog books of all time' list from his website. I don't believe this book belongs on that list in comparison to other great books. This book makes 81 read of his 100 I have read so far from his current selection of 100. This book would fit into a list of 'good dog books for youth' though.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

How many times can this author repackage the same story and pass it off as a new book?

[Emma Hounsell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad story

[Me · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author! Bailey's story is told from the dog's point of view as he gets adopted by a boy that he treasures and ultimately saves. This story is appropriate for all ages and adorable.

[kate ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love this book, it was so amazing this dog had such an amazing bond with Ethan (her owner) Ethan is a young 8 year old kid Bailey had, they came across each other when Bailey was lost out in the world and Ethan wanted to take her in.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the in depth look of the life when the dog was Bailey. It was super funny the way a dog thinks of things like kissing as hugging, and how dogs can feel the different emotions of humans. Though I didn't think the stories lined up exactly, and the book finished far before the end of Bailey's life, it was still an amazing book.

[Cathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think young people in the age group identified by the author (3rd through 7th grade) will truly enjoy this book. For me, I recognized story threads in this book from his other dog's purpose novels so it was, again, a bit disappointing to me. Still, I'm going to set it back for my grandson when he gets just a little older. I think he might enjoy the story.

[Mollie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!!

[Emily M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bailey's Stroy is about a dog and how he finds his purpose. When Bailey was a puppy he was always very curious. One day Bailey was playing in the grass for the first time. When he noticed the gate, Bailey tried to open it. It took a while, but he finally got it open. He looked back a his mother letting her know he ws leaving, and walked out of the gate. Their was a path that lead to the street. He started to cross it when a big truck was coming. He car stopped and the man inside of the car got out. He went over to the puppy and picked him up, and put him in the car. Their was one stop and the man left Bailey in the car! Bailey was so hot. He was lucky when a mom and a boy came and noticed him. The mom broke into the car and got him out. The boy was named Ethan and had always wanted a puppy, so they took Bailey home. Ethan and Bailey played for a long time. When the father got home he wasn't sure about keeping the puppy. Ethan promised to walk him, feed him, and lots more. The dad finally said yes and now Ethan had a puppy. Bailey realized he had to take care of his boy. Ethan and Bailey had of adventures together. One night, a old friend of Ethan's named Todd came with a match. Todd set the house on fire! Bailey was brave and attacked Todd. Bailey made Todd's heel bleed. Todd ran away and Bailey went inside to get Ethan and his family out of his house. He got the parents out, but couldn't get to Ethan. Bailey was outside barking at his window. Ethan escaped by throwing his desk chair through his window and jumping out of the house. When the police came Bailey showed them the blood on the snow from Todd's heel. They followed the tracks and found Todd. Bailey was a hero. I liked all the adventures Ethan and Bailey did together. This story made me always want to know what was going to happen next. I recommend this book to people who like action, drama, mystery, and dogs. This book is alot like Ellie's story because it is about a dog and their purpose with humans.

[Reason · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it. I really hope that I can read more books like this.

[Elizabeth Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this one aloud to my five year old daughter, who is also a huge fan of W. Bruce Cameron's books -- although she simply knows them as "the doggie books," or "the books that Tucker’s Daddy wrote.”

Our nightly mommy/daughter reading ritual is something we both cherish, and we really enjoyed sharing this story together. It was a terrific way to introduce chapter books into her literary repertoire, and she felt a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment upon our completion of the story. A perfect multi-generational reading experience.

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book Bailey's Story by W. Bruce Cameron is a kid friendly series based on A Dogs Purpose. This book is about Bailey, A Golden Retriever who wants to protect their favorite person, Ethan. Bailey's story is filled with twists and turns as they go though their many adventures.
As usual Bruce Cameron has good use of characterization as he tells the adventures of Ethan and Bailey. He uses characterization to show what Bailey's feeling are and how he acts on them. Bailey learns that his purpose is to protect Ethan. An example of his protection is when a incident led to Ethan's home burning down. He bit the perpetrator and comforted Ethan after he got out of the house. This led to the perpetrator being caught and Bailey was a hero for saving his family.
I recommend this book to younger children and anyone who likes dogs.

[Josiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really really loved this heartwarming tale of a golden retriever puppy and his boy. The book is from Bailey’s (the puppy) perspective, and really changes the way you think of your dog. You grow to love this book more and more as you read it, and you genuinely get sad at the sad parts. This book is really good for kids, but I think adults would enjoy it too. So if you’re looking for a book with this type of story, pick this one up and I promise you won’t regret it!

[Cornel Diaconu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bailey, being a Golden retriever, is bound to do a lot of mis-deeds that attract the "bad dog", but also mamy more others for "good dog".
From puppy years, to his adult time, he lives his live for being and helping his boy, Ethan - from dragging him out of the water for preventing him to drown (though he wasn't really, he was just swimming), to helping him get out of the burning house.
I didn't, though, get very fond of Bailey, as I was with other dog heroes in previous book from Bruce Cameron

[Kelly Wickham · Rating 4 out of 5]

A year ago, I went to a celebration of life ceremony for my friend, Patti Abernathy. Patti was a dog lover and had a very special service dog that was a golden lab like Bailey. Patti was always a child at heart and had an apartment full of toys she would share with kids who visited. At her ceremony, Ed had rounded up all these toys, and they were there for us to take in remembrance of Patti. Bailey's story is a nice story about a dog and his faithful devotion to his boy. We watch them grow up together and go through many travails, both bad and good. I enjoyed the book and reflecting on my time with Patti and the beloved dogs she had throughout her lifetime.

[Donna Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a Bailey from W Bruce Cameron’s book “A Dog’s Purpose,” adapted for young readers (or dog lovers like me).

It begins by illustrating how uncaring dog breeders or puppy mills can be. But, of course Bailey escapes, and after a false start ends up with a little boy named Ethan. They have a burgeoning relationship—told from Bailey’s perspective.

Even though it’s a mini-“Dog’s Purpose,” it’t sill a great book.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good book to read. especially if you love dog's. The author writes the story so you can understand dog's better. Dog's might not talk like people but they know emotions and they do try to talk by barking or their behavior. Dog's are easy to understand then people, also a lot smarter the anyone gives them the credit for.

[Bert Hochbrueckner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bailey’s story by W. Bruce Cameron is an amazing book. this book features a compelling story of a dog and his boy. Bailey’s story is the tale of a dog who finds his purpose in an eight-year old boy named Ethan. Bailey’s new found purpose is to play with the boy, love the boy, and most of all protect him from any threat the world might try to throw at him. Bailey’s story gives you a very intriguing perspective of Bailey the dog which you just can’t get enough of. I think this book has a the most emotion I have ever felt reading a book. In one part of the book Bailey and Ethan get lost in the woods for 3 days and are very exhausted but Bailey did whatever he could to protect his boy, this shows how much Bailey cares about his boy. Although this book is amazing a weakness that I found while reading the book was I was unable to track how old Ethan was as the story progressed in the book because by the end of the book he was not 8 years-old. Overall I would rate Bailey’s story 5/5 because the the touching bond between man and man’s best friend. I would recommend this book to kids in 4th to 7th grade because of how long the book is and the word choice.

[Kaitlyn Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was one of the better books I read. This book was about a boy and his dogs bond. I gave it 4 stars because I can relate to this book. I relate to it because I have a good bond with my dog to. This book was really fun to read, and i really suggest it.

[Camdyn Dahman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good it was a really cute story. I love the part when Bailey meets eathen. It is so funny when the bailey meets smoky the cat. Toad I can't believe he set Baileys and eathen house on fire! At Christmas they got another cat it was so funny. Every summer it is so cute because eathen family goes to there grandparents house/farm.

[L Y N N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellently written book by one of my all-time favorite authors! I can't imagine children wouldn't love these! Cameron hits some tough issues in this one: bullying, etc. I particularly appreciated how he depicted some of the major symptoms of psychotic behaviors without making a big deal of it. He includes projects, discussion questions, and even the Common Core Standards for which this book could be used.

[Ethan V]

a raely good book but i think i should have read a doges purpose firsr

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bailey's Story is set in the mind of a golden retriever named Bailey. It's about his journey to find his purpose and when he does he sticks to it.

This story is honestly just so pure. Hearing Bailey's thoughts made me chuckle and smile the whole way through. It's certainly made me more interested in reading the larger novel!

[Emi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Ryan Daley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so cute! I loved how it was told through the dog’s perspective. There were times though when this book was actually so sad when you think in the dogs pov. The ending was so sweet!

[Barb Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bailey is rescued as a puppy and his antics make for good laughs. He bonds with an 8-year-old boy and they have adventures together. When a neighborhood boy filled with jealousy and anger, does the unthinkable, Bailey is there for the boy loyal and loving. A good story to recommend for those that like Poppy, the One and Only Ivan, or Shiloh.

[Emma Litvan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ so so sweet.