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Finding Gobi: The True Story of One Little Dog's Big Journey
Bring home the incredible true story of a friendship so strong that it crosses the globe! You will love the inspiring tale of Gobi, a lost dog who kept pace with an ultramarathon runner, Dion Leonard, across a vast desert. Follow their unlikely friendship through the challenges of an 80-mile race and Dion’s struggle to bring Gobi home for good.
Finding Gobi: The True Story of One Little Dog's Big Journey is the incredible true story of Dion Leonard, an athlete who was befriended by a stray dog while running an ultramarathon through the Gobi Desert. Named for the desert in which he found her, Gobi became Dion’s closest companion for 77 miles of the 155-mile race across China. The scrappy little pup ran mile after mile alongside Dion, through treacherous conditions and across raging rivers. He let her sleep in his tent and share his food, and eventually, his focus shifted from winning to the newfound friendship he and Gobi shared.
They crossed the finish line together—not first, but together—and Dion decided to bring Gobi home to Scotland. Just before they were about to leave, however, Gobi disappeared, setting off a worldwide search for the stray. In a town of more than 3 million people, the search seemed hopeless, but this tale of friendship will surprise and delight you as you find out what happens!
Join the almost too-good-to-be-true story of hope, friendship, and beating incredible odds in Finding Gobi: The True Story of One Little Dog's Big Journey by Dion Leonard.
Finding Gobi: The True Story of One Little Dog's Big Journey is the incredible true story of Dion Leonard, an athlete who was befriended by a stray dog while running an ultramarathon through the Gobi Desert. Named for the desert in which he found her, Gobi became Dion’s closest companion for 77 miles of the 155-mile race across China. The scrappy little pup ran mile after mile alongside Dion, through treacherous conditions and across raging rivers. He let her sleep in his tent and share his food, and eventually, his focus shifted from winning to the newfound friendship he and Gobi shared.
They crossed the finish line together—not first, but together—and Dion decided to bring Gobi home to Scotland. Just before they were about to leave, however, Gobi disappeared, setting off a worldwide search for the stray. In a town of more than 3 million people, the search seemed hopeless, but this tale of friendship will surprise and delight you as you find out what happens!
Join the almost too-good-to-be-true story of hope, friendship, and beating incredible odds in Finding Gobi: The True Story of One Little Dog's Big Journey by Dion Leonard.
208 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2017
130 people are currently reading
707 people want to read
About the author
Dion Leonard
18 books98 followersDion Leonard is a 41 year old Australian who lives in Edinburgh, Scotland with his wife Lucja. Dion has not only completed but competed in some of the world’s toughest ultra marathons across the planet’s most inhospitable landscapes. This includes running across the brutal Moroccan Sahara desert twice in the 250km Marathon Des Sables and also twice across South Africa's Kalahari Desert, also 250km. Dion's latest 250km race across the Gobi Desert in China turned out to be a completely different race where he fell in love with a stray dog (later named Gobi) that followed him during the week and who would change both of their lives forever.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 257 reviews
February 13, 2019
A heartwarming tale of friendship,love,hope and companionship that will surely make one cry, laugh and rejoice. The story starts with a small brown color fur bundle joining the runners in a mid of multistage ultra race.Till the end of the day, it became apparent that she has chosen the Australian runner Dion as her companion.Named after the desert Gobi, the fur-baby soon became the star attraction of the camp. The alluring bond between the man and his friend and their wonderful chemistry enticed my heart.As the race comes to an end,a crucial decision looms before Dion.Will he abandon Gobi or take her back home? Will the distance of few thousand miles, different countries with their own set rules and regulations let the two friends stay together? Read the book to get your answers.
The real life account with amazing characters doing their bit to help the man in his quest will melt your heart.It redefines the meaning of friendship and humanity.I was glued to the book till the last line.The determination and never say no attitude of the little Gobi, the strong belief and relentless efforts of Dion,the strong support of Richard,Lucja and many others will surely strike a chord with the reader.
Love and friendship are those tender feelings which runs in the veins of every human being and has the powers to unite all irrespective of their ethnicity,country or gender be it for a human or animal.I would recommend the book to every reader.
The real life account with amazing characters doing their bit to help the man in his quest will melt your heart.It redefines the meaning of friendship and humanity.I was glued to the book till the last line.The determination and never say no attitude of the little Gobi, the strong belief and relentless efforts of Dion,the strong support of Richard,Lucja and many others will surely strike a chord with the reader.
Love and friendship are those tender feelings which runs in the veins of every human being and has the powers to unite all irrespective of their ethnicity,country or gender be it for a human or animal.I would recommend the book to every reader.
December 9, 2019
This book is about a dog named Gobi and a man named Dion, they run races together and do really good. Doin is determined to win races and keep Gobi safe, Gobi is loyal to his owner and wants to be by Dion all the time. Dion and Gobi run together through the hot, the cold, the wet... and still stay together.
July 16, 2017
After reading the picture book version of Gobi, the little dog with the big heart, I wanted to read this version. Dion Leonard came across Gobi while running a grueling 72 mile race, part of it through the Gobi Desert. When the little dog seemed to attach herself to Dion and run with her, he named her Gobi. The first part of this book describes the race, events that occurred, meeting Gobi and deciding to take her home to Edinburgh. The second part of the story is the difficulties Dion encountered trying to get Gobi home. Between the red tape, finding Gobi when she went missing and the culture of the area in China and their attitude toward dogs, it seemed like it was going to be an impossible task.
I enjoyed both parts of this book. The camaraderie the runners shared even though they were competing against each other was heartwarming. The dangerous situations and how they were solved were very interesting. In the second part, I felt Dion's pain when he could not bring Gobi home with him. When he found out Gobi was missing, I felt like crying along with him. I am an animal lover, but what Dion and his wife went through is amazing. The people he met that helped him along the way restores my belief in the goodness of others. This is a good book to read if you are an animal lover, a runner or sports enthusiast or just someone who wants to feel good about other people. A great book for a school or public library. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.
I enjoyed both parts of this book. The camaraderie the runners shared even though they were competing against each other was heartwarming. The dangerous situations and how they were solved were very interesting. In the second part, I felt Dion's pain when he could not bring Gobi home with him. When he found out Gobi was missing, I felt like crying along with him. I am an animal lover, but what Dion and his wife went through is amazing. The people he met that helped him along the way restores my belief in the goodness of others. This is a good book to read if you are an animal lover, a runner or sports enthusiast or just someone who wants to feel good about other people. A great book for a school or public library. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.
July 12, 2017
OMG this story is awesome, brilliant and so heart wrenching it will have you in tears of both joy and sadness.
This story is about Dion who runs in an endurance race through the Gobi desert. Here a little dog he named Gobi joined him on the run voluntarily and stayed with him throughout the race. He decides he is going to bring Gobi from China to live with him in Scotland.
So we begin the journey of bring Gobi home. However, it doesn't quite go as smoothly as they thought. The book takes you on the journey of Dion and Gobi and the relationship they established.
I can't recommend this enough. If you love dogs and need an uplifting story with twists and turns but a happy ending then give this a go. Enjoy!
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
This story is about Dion who runs in an endurance race through the Gobi desert. Here a little dog he named Gobi joined him on the run voluntarily and stayed with him throughout the race. He decides he is going to bring Gobi from China to live with him in Scotland.
So we begin the journey of bring Gobi home. However, it doesn't quite go as smoothly as they thought. The book takes you on the journey of Dion and Gobi and the relationship they established.
I can't recommend this enough. If you love dogs and need an uplifting story with twists and turns but a happy ending then give this a go. Enjoy!
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
September 20, 2018
This was a cute little book. I remember hearing/seeing this story on social media, so it was fun to actually read everything that happened. This was the young adult version, and they gave the dog a "voice" that I think middle grade students will get a kick out of.
August 3, 2020
Love knows no bounds! "Finding Gobi" is a love story for the ages between a man and his best friend.
Some might say it was love at first sight. This dog appears like a mirage out of nowhere and starts running side-by-side with a man he picked out from the other runners in a race across the Gobi desert. From that moment on this man and this dog, who met by chance, would become as thick as thieves.
This is a heart-warming, true story of how one dog and his human came to be and how, despite being separated by continents and laws and a secretive regime this dog named, Gobi, and his person named, Dion, beat all odds to find their way home together.
Against all odds, just as in dog tales that have come before (think "Homeward Bound"), this story has a happy ending that can only be chalked up to the miraculous. "All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all."
I highly recommend this book to dog lovers the world over. If you've got a dog, had a dog, and understand how quickly they can become an integral part of your family, then this book's for you!
Some might say it was love at first sight. This dog appears like a mirage out of nowhere and starts running side-by-side with a man he picked out from the other runners in a race across the Gobi desert. From that moment on this man and this dog, who met by chance, would become as thick as thieves.
This is a heart-warming, true story of how one dog and his human came to be and how, despite being separated by continents and laws and a secretive regime this dog named, Gobi, and his person named, Dion, beat all odds to find their way home together.
Against all odds, just as in dog tales that have come before (think "Homeward Bound"), this story has a happy ending that can only be chalked up to the miraculous. "All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all."
I highly recommend this book to dog lovers the world over. If you've got a dog, had a dog, and understand how quickly they can become an integral part of your family, then this book's for you!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2019
Love this wonderful book! Ultramarathoner finds Gobi, an endearing little stray doggie, during a 155-mile race through the Gobi Desert in China. He loses the race but gains a darling new companion ... and a change of heart about what’s important in life. 5/5
Thankful to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson - - W Publishing for the early read in exchange for my genuine thoughts.
Thankful to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson - - W Publishing for the early read in exchange for my genuine thoughts.
March 6, 2023
Po branju te knjige si želim tudi jaz preteči 250km maraton in ob sebi kar naenkrat zagledat psičko, ki teče ob meni in me izmed vseh preostalih tekačev izbere za crkljanje.🤪V zgodbi se prepletajo dogodki iz tekačeve preteklosti, opisani so njegovi začetki tekaške poti in iskanje psičke, ki ga je totalno prevzela in mislim, da se lahko isto zgodi tudi vsakemu bralcu.🥰
April 19, 2018
This book is technically written for young readers but everyone will love Dion and Gobi’s heart warming tale. Dion, an ultra marathon runner found this sweet little furball while doing an ultra in China. They were meant to be together. If you love dogs, read it!
February 20, 2019
A sweet and heartwarming book that can appeal to both adult and children.
I loved it and fell in love with Gobi.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC
I loved it and fell in love with Gobi.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC
December 24, 2023
I enjoyed this a lot! Thanks Chloe!
October 6, 2024
Would have preferred more of the book focused on the dog running the actual race with Dion, but that’s a smaller part. Most of the chapters were about getting Gobi from China to Edinburgh.
But, there are a few true stories like this one that are about dogs that join up with ultra runners and become a part of the team and they’re awesome to learn about.
But, there are a few true stories like this one that are about dogs that join up with ultra runners and become a part of the team and they’re awesome to learn about.
November 9, 2018
I rate this book at 5 stars because there's this dog that finds this special guy named Dion. In the story Dion starts to love the dog so much and names her Gobi. Gobi found Dion in China because Dion was there for a race. When Dion has to leave China he finds out that to bring Gobi back home with him in Switzerland she has to get all these different things done. Read to find the journey Dion go's on to bring Gobi to Switzerland.
December 9, 2020
3.5 stars
There was a dog - very small and kind of stumpy with a brilliant grin - who decided that he wanted to run the marathon too.
Together, the man and the dog ran through the desert.
Sometimes, when the terrain was too tough, Dion would entrust the little dog - who he named Gobi - to a friend who helped manage the race.
And when everything was over, Dion knew one thing was certain. He was going to take Gobi home - to Scotland. Forever.
He soon learns that running with Gobi and rescuing Gobi were too entirely different thing.
This was an incredibly cute book!
I absolutely loved the story of Gobi and how much and far that Dion went to save the little dog.
There were moments - when it looked hopeless - that I teared up. It seemed like everything - just everything - was stacked against them.
But, Gobi made it home. And that's what counts.
YouTube | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat @miranda_reads
Dion Leonard was running an ultramarathon through the Gobi Desert...when a little something surprised him.
They say it takes a village to raise a child. I think it takes almost half a planet to rescue a dog.
There was a dog - very small and kind of stumpy with a brilliant grin - who decided that he wanted to run the marathon too.
Together, the man and the dog ran through the desert.
Sometimes, when the terrain was too tough, Dion would entrust the little dog - who he named Gobi - to a friend who helped manage the race.
And when everything was over, Dion knew one thing was certain. He was going to take Gobi home - to Scotland. Forever.
He soon learns that running with Gobi and rescuing Gobi were too entirely different thing.
This was an incredibly cute book!
I absolutely loved the story of Gobi and how much and far that Dion went to save the little dog.
There were moments - when it looked hopeless - that I teared up. It seemed like everything - just everything - was stacked against them.
But, Gobi made it home. And that's what counts.
YouTube | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat @miranda_reads
October 10, 2017
Dion Leonard is an ultramarathon runner (what are ultramarathons, you ask? They are long races -- longer than the typical 26-mile marathon). He runs a race in China, and along the way, he notices that a little dog has begun running with him.
Dion and the dog develop a friendship, and he decides he'd like to take the dog home to Scotland with him. He names the dog Gobi, after the Gobi desert that was part of the landscape they'd traveled together during the race.
But getting an animal out of China and into Scotland is a nightmare. There are forms to fill out, procedures to be done. And to make matters worse, Gobi disappears and gets lost during the process. It's even hinted that Gobi may actually have been used for ransom. Let's just say that after reading this book, as well as another I recently finished, China is not a place I have any desire to visit anytime soon.
In the end (spoiler alert!), Gobi and Dion are reunited and all is well. It's nice to have an animal book that ends happily rather than with the pet dying. And this book is based on a true story, which is always a plus for me.
The book is geared toward elementary and middle school age kids. It contains some photos, too. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it for the young reader on your list who likes animals!
Dion and the dog develop a friendship, and he decides he'd like to take the dog home to Scotland with him. He names the dog Gobi, after the Gobi desert that was part of the landscape they'd traveled together during the race.
But getting an animal out of China and into Scotland is a nightmare. There are forms to fill out, procedures to be done. And to make matters worse, Gobi disappears and gets lost during the process. It's even hinted that Gobi may actually have been used for ransom. Let's just say that after reading this book, as well as another I recently finished, China is not a place I have any desire to visit anytime soon.
In the end (spoiler alert!), Gobi and Dion are reunited and all is well. It's nice to have an animal book that ends happily rather than with the pet dying. And this book is based on a true story, which is always a plus for me.
The book is geared toward elementary and middle school age kids. It contains some photos, too. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it for the young reader on your list who likes animals!
July 2, 2017
Based on a true story, this detailed novel will captivate readers with a heartwarming story about a man, a dog and the desert.
Gobi won over Dion Leonard’s heart as he was running a multi-day marathon in the Gobi Desert and the story of how Gobi then became a part of Dion’s journey to the finish line and his family won over the world.
Leonard does a great job of creating a story that makes you feel as if you are running alongside him in the desert. The passages where it seems to come from Gobi’s point of view are cute and add a unique dimension to the story. The anecdotes of the runners helping each other and Gobi makes for some good lessons to remember and put into practice in your own life. You can’t help but cheer on Gobi’s determination to stay with the runners, feel glad when they finished the race so well and want to prance about with Gobi to celebrate.
This is one of those stories people will love reading because it’s so positive and upbeat with a real world happy ending and in this world where so much of our news and personal stories seem to end in heartache we need Gobi to inspire more of us.
Gobi won over Dion Leonard’s heart as he was running a multi-day marathon in the Gobi Desert and the story of how Gobi then became a part of Dion’s journey to the finish line and his family won over the world.
Leonard does a great job of creating a story that makes you feel as if you are running alongside him in the desert. The passages where it seems to come from Gobi’s point of view are cute and add a unique dimension to the story. The anecdotes of the runners helping each other and Gobi makes for some good lessons to remember and put into practice in your own life. You can’t help but cheer on Gobi’s determination to stay with the runners, feel glad when they finished the race so well and want to prance about with Gobi to celebrate.
This is one of those stories people will love reading because it’s so positive and upbeat with a real world happy ending and in this world where so much of our news and personal stories seem to end in heartache we need Gobi to inspire more of us.
November 16, 2018
I read this book with my dog-loving 2nd-grade son. The writing leaves a lot to be desired, but it is an inspiring true story, and we have now watched tons of Dion and Gobi YouTube video interviews. We can’t wait for the movie to come out! (Next year?)
*Son would give Finding Gobi 5 Stars. I am just being critical, I guess.
*Son would give Finding Gobi 5 Stars. I am just being critical, I guess.
September 25, 2017
Originally posted on The Common Shelf.
Dion Leonard came across a scruffy stray pup while running a 155- mile race, part of it through the Gobi Desert. When the little dog seemed to attach herself to Dion and run with him for 80 miles in the scorching heat, he named her Gobi. The first part of this book describes the race, events that occurred, meeting Gobi and deciding to take her home to Edinburgh. The second part of the story is the difficulties Dion encountered trying to get Gobi home.
Writing Style
The writing style was pure and simple. Since it is a middle-grade book, it was easy to read and I finished the it in one sitting. The writing was detailed and the circumstances were well explained. There is an adult version and an illustrated edition of the book too, which I would love to read. Leonard does a great job of creating a story that makes you feel as if you are running alongside him in the desert. The snippets from Gobi’s point of view were beautifully written and added an extra dimension to the story.
Loyalty, Commitment and DOGS
This book is all about the love shared between Gobi and Dion, about the support received from various people all around the world, of humanity, of friendship, of commitment and determination. Dion faced various obstacles in order to bring Gobi back home. The cultural differences were respectfully portrayed, and the determination to bring Gobi back was commendable.
I absolutely adored this book and it is a definite recommendation to all the animal lovers and readers. And it is BASED ON A TRUE STORY.
Title : Finding Gobi : True Story of one Little Dog’s Big Journey
Author : Dion Leonard
Publisher : HarperCollins
Publication: 2017
Language : English
Pages : 183
Rating : 3.5/5
Disclaimer: Thanks to HarperCollins India for a copy. All opinions are my own.
Dion Leonard came across a scruffy stray pup while running a 155- mile race, part of it through the Gobi Desert. When the little dog seemed to attach herself to Dion and run with him for 80 miles in the scorching heat, he named her Gobi. The first part of this book describes the race, events that occurred, meeting Gobi and deciding to take her home to Edinburgh. The second part of the story is the difficulties Dion encountered trying to get Gobi home.
Writing Style
The writing style was pure and simple. Since it is a middle-grade book, it was easy to read and I finished the it in one sitting. The writing was detailed and the circumstances were well explained. There is an adult version and an illustrated edition of the book too, which I would love to read. Leonard does a great job of creating a story that makes you feel as if you are running alongside him in the desert. The snippets from Gobi’s point of view were beautifully written and added an extra dimension to the story.
Loyalty, Commitment and DOGS
This book is all about the love shared between Gobi and Dion, about the support received from various people all around the world, of humanity, of friendship, of commitment and determination. Dion faced various obstacles in order to bring Gobi back home. The cultural differences were respectfully portrayed, and the determination to bring Gobi back was commendable.
I absolutely adored this book and it is a definite recommendation to all the animal lovers and readers. And it is BASED ON A TRUE STORY.
Title : Finding Gobi : True Story of one Little Dog’s Big Journey
Author : Dion Leonard
Publisher : HarperCollins
Publication: 2017
Language : English
Pages : 183
Rating : 3.5/5
Disclaimer: Thanks to HarperCollins India for a copy. All opinions are my own.
November 9, 2018
this is a really good book! it's about a little dog who starts running by a man side and they become friends. But in the middle the man has to fly home and he let someone take care of gobi but gobi escames. there was a long search for gobi but in the end they do findher. But there is one more problem they have to over come read finding gobi to find out.
June 13, 2018
Just started and I can tell two things already; it's going to be a great story, and it's going to make me cry. That's what dog stories always do.
Great story! It is very exciting, wondering how everything will work out. If you are a dog lover you will certainly want to read this heart warming story of a very special friendship between a man and a little dog.
Great story! It is very exciting, wondering how everything will work out. If you are a dog lover you will certainly want to read this heart warming story of a very special friendship between a man and a little dog.
July 12, 2017
I read this book with one of my children. We enjoyed this story of a dog's devotion to her owner and the owner's devotion to the dog. Dion Leonard overcame amazing difficulties to bring a dog which had befriended him during a long distance race home to Scotland.
January 7, 2020
really heart warming
April 13, 2022
Pretty good
July 26, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. They came to my son's school and Dion and Gobi both signed the books.
November 22, 2023
THE SWEETEST BOOK EVER! I finished this book in one day, it was so heartwarming. I loved the friendship that Goni and Deon had.
December 15, 2023
A heartwarming story of friendship, loyalty, love and Perseverance
August 16, 2017
I received a complimentary copy.
I think that no matter what age, if you enjoy a story of friendship and trust, an especially dogs, you will feel a mix of emotions with this book. At some points I was really cheering for Gobi! I think that by reading this outloud, my whole family got to get in on the adventure and so this became a great read. Well even if you have to read it alone, this is still a nice adventure with an enjoyable turn around throughout.
I think that no matter what age, if you enjoy a story of friendship and trust, an especially dogs, you will feel a mix of emotions with this book. At some points I was really cheering for Gobi! I think that by reading this outloud, my whole family got to get in on the adventure and so this became a great read. Well even if you have to read it alone, this is still a nice adventure with an enjoyable turn around throughout.
March 2, 2023
Borrowed this from my 10 year old nephew and loved it. I would recommend this book to anyone young and old.
November 6, 2024
Dogs are amazing creatures! What a heartwarming, uplifting and amazing true story!
June 20, 2025
A truly amazing story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 257 reviews