Cowboy Pug

The Adventures of Pug #2

by Laura James, Églantine Ceulemans (Illustrator)

Meet the brilliant, the wonderful, the courageous ...Cowboy Pug! The second book in a joyful new illustrated series for fans of Claude and Squishy McFluff. Pug and his faithful companion, Lady Miranda, are going to be cowboys for the day - and first of all they're going horsetrading! But with their noble steed Horsey safely acquired, it's not long before they find themselves on the wrong side of the law. Can Pug the reluctant hero overcome his fears and save the day once more?

Genres: Childrens, Chapter Books, Middle Grade, Humor, Friendship, Dogs, Animals

128 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2017

About the author

Laura James worked on projects including Veronica Guerin and Slumdog Millionaire before signing herself up for Bath Spa’s MA in Writing for Young People. The adventures of Pug are based on the antics of her very own adventurous dogs, Brian and Florence. Laura lives in the West Country.

Reviews

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new Pug book, this time we are going cowboy! Hiya, howdy partner

As I said in my previous book's review, I just adore pugs. They are one of my favourite animals, and I just love it when they get featured in a book.

It took me a bit of time to get back in the flow of the book (had to figure out who Miranda was again), but when I was into it, well I couldn't stop and I just galloped right through this book.

Miranda has a new hobby in this one, horse riding and being a cowboy. Well, she doesn't really do real horse riding (at least not in the beginning, more that she is riding a stick horse. Later on though we meet Horsey and thus begins a whole new adventure for both Miranda and the Pug.

Well, not only Miranda and her Pug, but also her loyal people who always carry her around in a big sedan chair, and we also meet a new character, named Frank (I had such a laugh when he introduced himself and that happened, yep, I would have done the same as Miranda did).

I loved how brave Pug was, especially since we quickly see that he isn't really into all this horse business. He would rather just do something calmer. But yet, he does all those things that happen in the book, and more. He and Horsey become friends, and he even tames a big wild beast!

Horsey was definitely a favourite of mine, I loved his reactions (how he would look at his hooves if he got a compliment), and I loved how he found inner strength thanks to Miranda and Pug.

I didn't quite like the police woman. I can see a lot of things going wrong in her future if she acts like this.

The book is, like the previous one, filled to the brim with fun, lovely, illustrations. Like the previous book this one also follows a colour theme, this one red/yellow/gray.

All in all, I loved this book to bits. Miranda is such a sweetheart, Pug is cute and brave, and I hope we will see more of Horsey and Frank in the future. Highly recommended!
I can't wait for Safari Pug to come out!

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second title in The Adventures of Pug chapter book series. Lady Miranda and Pug visit a county fair, befriend a horse, and save a prize bull.

[Bruce Gargoyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this title from Bloomsbury Australia for review.

Ten Second Synopsis:
Lady Miranda decides she must have a horse and so begins Pug's adventures as a horse-riding, police-evading, bandit-catching, show-jumping dog!

This is a beautifully illustrated quick read that bounces from one unexpected disaster to the next. Pug manages to come out on top at every turn however, by accident or design, and by the end of the story we've seen police chasing bandits, trophies being awarded and one horse that slowly decides that being friends with Pug and Lady Miranda means one is in for a wild ride. This story starts a little abruptly if you aren't familiar with the escapades of the first book, with no particular information given to explain the backstory of Lady Miranda, Pug and the Running Footmen. By the second chapter though, this shouldn't be a problem as young readers will be engrossed in Lady Miranda's search for a horsey friend.

The book is perfect for newly confident readers looking to move from picture books and basic readers to a longer, yet still accessible, chapter book format. For that reason, the action moves along apace, without any filler in which to get bogged down.

This is a charming follow-up to the first Adventures of Pug story and I think I enjoyed it better than the first. I seem to remember that Lady Miranda annoyed me a bit in the first book, whereas she was perfectly delightful in this installment, even making a new friend (of the non-horsey variety). The illustrations on every page and the large font make the book totally accessible to younger readers (and those like me who hate tiny print). Whether you've read the first book in the series or not, this would be a canny choice for young readers who love animal stories, lots of colour and imagery, and slapstick laughs aplenty.

[Monica · Rating 2 out of 5]

El marco de la historia se sitúa en una época “semi lejana”, dentro de un estatus social privilegiado, pues la dueña del simpático Carlino Pug es noble. La chiquilla es nombrada como Lady Miranda (presumiblemente hija única y heredera de los títulos nobiliarios de sus progenitores). Así que, la presente aventura discurre cuando a la caprichosa niña se le antoja jugar a la Amanoza- defensora de Pug (con su caballo de juguete). El caballito sufre un percance, por lo cual Miranda y Pug van a comprar uno verdadero.
Pese a su simple estructura y excepcional marco de fondo, es una obra que resulta simpática. Está basada en el subgénero del enredo; dentro del de aventuras. Mediante las ocurrencias de la espontánea y solitaria Lady Miranda, su inestimable compañero afectivo infantil, Pug, será el imprevisible héroe de la historia.
El libro contiene poco más de cien páginas, distribuidas entre cortos párrafos y cándidas ilustraciones; en ocre, blanco y rojo.
El elemento de enredo es un no parar, pero un poco ‘fulminante’, y ello es debido a su escasa narración. Aun así, la historia está lograda, resulta coherente, y lo más importante, no es rompedora ni brusca en ningún momento. Además, hacia la mitad del libro se inserta cierta reflexión y aprendizaje emocional. Todo ello rubricado con un final acorde y afectuoso.
En definitiva, un simpático título, bastante ágil de leer, con algún que otro mensaje ético de soslayo. Ideal para las primeras lecturas.

[Karrie Chajkowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun story, originating in England, follows Lady Miranda and her dog, Pug. In this adventure, Lady Miranda wants to be a cowgirl and travels to find herself a real horse after her hobby-horse breaks. While snooping around some “fine looking riding stables”, Lady Miranda finds a horse and meets a new friend, Frank. After some accidents occur, Lady Miranda has been packed up with the horse and sent to the county fair amidst horse bandits. Of course, Lady Miranda, Pug, Horsey, and Frank save the day. Perfect introduction chapter book for early readers with fun illustrations and an even better story.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cowboy Pug and Lady Miranda are out horse shopping when Pony goes lame and must recover. They inadvertently find themselves at the county fair involved in a horse dispute, participating in the horse jumping competition, and catching a runaway bull.

This is one wild and wacky adventure with Pug and Lady Miranda. It's definitely entertaining but I don't think anyone could predict this crazy plot line from the outset. The illustrations of Pug in zany situations were the highlights of the book for me, so hilarious. Ceulemans nails some very comic poses.

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt a disappointment at the way the story jumped around. I am still disconcerted by the unexplained incongruities, but more than that, it was the gaps in both logic and storytelling that dimmed this book for me. I would be interested to see if the target reader was able to follow along. The antics of a pug are presumably always interesting to a child reader. The silliness along the way will always be a delight to every age. The naive superiority of Miranda, does not improve with the sequel, however. Will I read more in the series? Only for research purposes.

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little series about a dog named Pug and his friend, Lady Miranda, who find themselves involved in all sorts of adventures. In this title, our two adventurers befriend a horse, get involved with a circus, meet up with bandits and then the police show up! Perfect for emergent readers.

[Mary T · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book. I like the amount of illustrations, layout, amount of words on a page...but the storyline itself did not appeal to me, and I just tried to get through it. My sons weren't necessarily into it, either.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cowboy Pug is very cute and the story is funny. Sure to be liked by children who love dogs and horses.

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Love the pug series. I can't wait for the next one to come out in November. They are a fairly easy read and funny.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, this little pug is delightful! This is an excellent beginning chapter book series.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pug, finds a new adventure at the Little Witherington County Fair, when his best friend Lady Miranda, finds herself on the wrong side of the law.

[Linda Gibbons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great beginning chapter book.

[Paige Soule · Rating 4 out of 5]

Also cute, different arena for pug and Lady Miranda, definitely set-up for a long running series.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun pug adventure. My kids can’t wait for the next one. Please keep writing these!!

[Marlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun book. Great pictures and wonderfully imaginative writing.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely, especially the cute illustrations of Horsey!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little too manic, even compared to the first.

[James Koppert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable story and illustrations from this wonderful series

[Tirion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pug is famous

[Magdalena Chmielewska · Rating 4 out of 5]

2025 - papierowa - 4/5

[Andrew James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Adventures of Pug series. It is a fantastic follow-up; brilliantly written and beautifully illustrated. It will have young (and not so young!) readers laughing along. It is perfect for children learning to read for themselves and the chapters make for easy bedtime reading. Great fun!

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

Summary
One day at No. 10 Crescent Lady Miranda and Pug were playing outside. They were pretending to be cowboys when Lady Miranda's play horse broke. She was upset and decided she needed to get another one but Cowboy Pug was unsure. They set off to find a real horse with the help from Footman Will and Liam. Lady Miranda couldn't find a horse but cowboy Pug sure did. Then Lady Miranda and Cowboy Pug ran into Frank who owns the horse they have found. Frank tried to impress them with a magic trick then suddenly Cowboy Pug and Lady Miranda got taken by Franks dad by accident and were headed to the county fair f. Worried Frank and Footman Will and Liam set on after them. They caused much problems on the way there that a officer followed them all the way to the fair and tried arresting them and Lady Miranda. In all the commotion Cowboy Pug and Horsey the horse got pulled into a horse competition and got second place. In the end Lady Miranda didn't get the horse and decided being a cowboy wasn't for her and Pug so what that means is that they have to become something else.
Questions of Higher Level Thinking
1.What happened to Lady Miranda's play horse?
2. Sequence activity of the events that happened in the book.
3. Do you know what a cowboy is?
4. Compare and Contrast how Lady Miranda might have felt being a cowboy and how Pug might have felt being a cowboy.
5. Do you think you would like to be a cowboy?
6. Change the ending of the story. Should the officer been able to arrest somebody? Should cowboy Pug and Horsey gotten first place?
Citation
James, L., & Ceulemans, E. (2017). Cowboy Pug: the dog who rode for glory. London: Bloomsbury.

[Carmel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. Text was confusing, storyline awkward, ending predictable.
I hated it, my 7 year old loved it (it was borderline read aloud, but he chose it for "mom time" although he could've read it himself). Hence the three star compromise.

[Kaytlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a super cute story about a dog and his owner's adventures.

[AJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great, I have read all the books and they are all great. Thank you, Laura James, for making these books.