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The Ruffians
The Ruffians are a legendary canine neighborhood watch group. They patrol the streets at night and keep the neighborhood safe from unsavory characters. There’s something fishy going on by the duck pond in the park. The squirrels are eating all their nuts plus all the nuts stored up for the winter’s supply. Mystified by this discovery, The Ruffians realize that unless they can solve this unusual development by the time winter arrives, there won’t be any squirrels left at the park with nuts.The Ruffians investigation into the matter is stymied by the unexpected invasion of Russian terrorists in the neighborhood. Forced into an uneasy alliance with their arch-nemesis, The Godfather, and his career criminal counterparts, The Fang Mafia, Butch, Jim, Dandy, Empty, and Mixer are in for the battle of their lives.Betrayal and deceit abound as a sinister force plots the complete and total destruction of the very existence of The Ruffians. The Ruffians are drawn into a final and epic confrontation that will forever shape the animal kingdom. However, there’s Butch. Don’t ever forget about Butch. That would be nuts!
277 pages, Paperback
First published June 2, 2016
3 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Rick Johnson
16 books28 followersRick Johnson lives in Mississippi. His hobbies include taking his dog to the park, cooking for his dog, buying his dog milkshakes, and spoiling his dog. Connor the dog has him well trained. Sometimes, he writes books when he's not wrestling with Connor.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 5, 2016
The next time your life becomes too complicated, be careful in thinking "Its a Dog's Life" would be better. Simpler. It may not be that easy.
This is a gripping tail with loads of bite, where possessing good scents is most likely to keep you on the ball. Where barking up the wrong tree can get you wet and the idea of double-crossing should give you paws. Dogs must be ever vigilant against other packs, turf wars, stolen women and the notoriously secretive D.B.I. Their's is a life of gang-war chess, and only the most oblivious survive. In this world, size is not important; friends are, and the odder they seem, the likelier their Clouseau-esque bumbling is to win the day.
However, the next time you, as a human, look at your dog (or cat) and try to determine what they might be thinking?... Stop. You won't want to know. In fact, it would be humiliating to know just how manipulated we have all been...
This is a gripping tail with loads of bite, where possessing good scents is most likely to keep you on the ball. Where barking up the wrong tree can get you wet and the idea of double-crossing should give you paws. Dogs must be ever vigilant against other packs, turf wars, stolen women and the notoriously secretive D.B.I. Their's is a life of gang-war chess, and only the most oblivious survive. In this world, size is not important; friends are, and the odder they seem, the likelier their Clouseau-esque bumbling is to win the day.
However, the next time you, as a human, look at your dog (or cat) and try to determine what they might be thinking?... Stop. You won't want to know. In fact, it would be humiliating to know just how manipulated we have all been...
June 10, 2016
WHO WOULDN’T ENJOY THIS BOOK?
Yet another great book from this author, who always manages to come up with a twist on the ordinary and make it extra ordinary. There is a laugh on every page with the animals whose characters are so well defined you grow to love each and every one of them. There is clever use of words, for example the dogs have buddies, their owners – they paw bump for high fives and mixer in particular the hero is more than a little fallible. As I neared the end of the book I was getting worried that all the loose ends would not tie up, but of course they did and I was sad as I read the past page that there was no more left to read. It’s not a truly original idea, but the way it was handled makes it unique.
Yet another great book from this author, who always manages to come up with a twist on the ordinary and make it extra ordinary. There is a laugh on every page with the animals whose characters are so well defined you grow to love each and every one of them. There is clever use of words, for example the dogs have buddies, their owners – they paw bump for high fives and mixer in particular the hero is more than a little fallible. As I neared the end of the book I was getting worried that all the loose ends would not tie up, but of course they did and I was sad as I read the past page that there was no more left to read. It’s not a truly original idea, but the way it was handled makes it unique.
May 17, 2018
Outstanding!!!!
Loved this book!!!! It's told from a dogs point of view....I laughed ....so hard.....now I'm looking at my dogs...thinking...!they are thinking like The Ruffians! Best funny read....this year!!!!
But it!! You will love it!!!Awesome!!! Rick Johnson!!! Awesome!!
Loved this book!!!! It's told from a dogs point of view....I laughed ....so hard.....now I'm looking at my dogs...thinking...!they are thinking like The Ruffians! Best funny read....this year!!!!
But it!! You will love it!!!Awesome!!! Rick Johnson!!! Awesome!!
July 31, 2016
The Ruffians are The Avengers of the canine world. Or so they think. They are investigating an issue with squirrels which leads to a plot for world domination. The biggest thing these unlikely heroes have going for them is unshakable love and loyalty. Every other line will have you alternately on edge from the suspense or laughing out loud. Nothing is safe from being the brunt of a joke, even the book itself.
"...who's going to read the ransom note?"
"We'll read it ourselves," Jim butts in.
"We can't," Dandy counters. "We're dogs. Dogs can't read."
Jim counterpoints, "We can't really talk either, but since this book is a work of fiction, if we can talk in it, we can read in it."
As much as the cover seems to hint, this is not a children's book. Some of the humor can be crude with layers of innuendo rolled in dog kibble. At the same time this is a wonderful book that demonstrates great social consciousness. I highly recommend this book to everyone from teens to your grandmother.
"...who's going to read the ransom note?"
"We'll read it ourselves," Jim butts in.
"We can't," Dandy counters. "We're dogs. Dogs can't read."
Jim counterpoints, "We can't really talk either, but since this book is a work of fiction, if we can talk in it, we can read in it."
As much as the cover seems to hint, this is not a children's book. Some of the humor can be crude with layers of innuendo rolled in dog kibble. At the same time this is a wonderful book that demonstrates great social consciousness. I highly recommend this book to everyone from teens to your grandmother.
June 28, 2016
Every pet lover should read this book!
Rick Johnson you always put a smile on my face with your writing. But this book had me laughing hysterically. You always wonder what your pets do when you are not around and Rick, it seems, has got the Dog to spill the beans and give him an inside track on all their shenanigans . From the first page to the last you will get a close up look at all the Ruffians and the "Humans" they care for everyday. Each one is a delight and will have you in stitches at their antics. I highly recommend this a a must read for your funny bone. Another winner Rick! Bravo!!
Rick Johnson you always put a smile on my face with your writing. But this book had me laughing hysterically. You always wonder what your pets do when you are not around and Rick, it seems, has got the Dog to spill the beans and give him an inside track on all their shenanigans . From the first page to the last you will get a close up look at all the Ruffians and the "Humans" they care for everyday. Each one is a delight and will have you in stitches at their antics. I highly recommend this a a must read for your funny bone. Another winner Rick! Bravo!!
October 3, 2017
The Ruffians is a light-hearted tale of neighborhood dog packs. One dog in particular, Mixer, has a down-on-his-luck owner. Mixer worries about his owner’s drinking problem that he has with “chocolate milk” and how he constantly stays home alone watching the Weather Channel while wearing his Oakland Raiders gear. Mixer and his dog friends have problems of their own with new a new gang of dogs in town. He and his buddies try to make the town a safer place. This book will help you forget your everyday problems and maybe have a laugh or two.
June 5, 2016
A laugh--a-minute tale of mystery, suspense and friendship. The relationships derived from true camaraderie,despite the characters being canine, are endearing and may even teach some lessons. Truly enjoyable can't it put it down reading.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews