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Amazing Gracie: A Dog's Tale
It was love at first sight. Amid the frenzied barking and prancing of a house full of Great Danes, one pup was shivering in the corner. Gracie. But when Dan Dye reached her, she struggled to her feet like a clumsy foal, raised her forehead to his, and announced, as clearly as if she had actually spoken the words, You know I'm the one. Now get me outta here!
By turns funny, moving, tender, and inspiring, Gracie's tale is a treat for every dog lover. There is Gracie's first morning, racing around Dan in the snowy yard. Gracie's first determination to prove to her step-sisters, Dottie the Dalmatian and Sarah the Black Lab, that she's one of the girls. Gracie's defiant romance with a pint-size charmer named Byron, a Boston Terrier from the wrong side of the fence.
Then born of necessity, the eureka moment: When Gracie's delicate constitution starts turning into anorexia, Dan teaches himself how to cook, and in three days is baking her the cookies that will spur her appetite, launch Three Dog Bakery, and transform their lives forever.
Courage. Compassion. Kindness. Soul. Tenacity. And joy, above all, joy. These qualities Gracie possessed in abundance, and shared with everyone, human or canine, who had the good fortune to cross her path.
By turns funny, moving, tender, and inspiring, Gracie's tale is a treat for every dog lover. There is Gracie's first morning, racing around Dan in the snowy yard. Gracie's first determination to prove to her step-sisters, Dottie the Dalmatian and Sarah the Black Lab, that she's one of the girls. Gracie's defiant romance with a pint-size charmer named Byron, a Boston Terrier from the wrong side of the fence.
Then born of necessity, the eureka moment: When Gracie's delicate constitution starts turning into anorexia, Dan teaches himself how to cook, and in three days is baking her the cookies that will spur her appetite, launch Three Dog Bakery, and transform their lives forever.
Courage. Compassion. Kindness. Soul. Tenacity. And joy, above all, joy. These qualities Gracie possessed in abundance, and shared with everyone, human or canine, who had the good fortune to cross her path.
256 pages, Paperback
First published September 11, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 547 reviews
March 12, 2012
Dan Dye was mourning over the loss of his childhood companion Blue and didn’t think he was ready for another dog. When the book begins it has only been eight weeks since Blue’s passing and he is still very heart-broken. But often, as I’ve discovered, dogs have a way of finding you exactly when you need them most and he adopts Gracie a deaf, blind in one eye, albino Great Dane scheduled for euthanasia (the next day!). Dan thought he was rescuing Gracie but Gracie is the one who saves Dan and helps him find his place in the world.
I adored this book and will unashamedly gush about it to whoever will listen. If you are a dog lover you need to read it. If you are stuck in a crap job and aspire to living your dream you also need to read it. If you could care less about these things you might want to skip it because it is as much a story about the love between a man and a dog as it a story of working exceptionally hard and being strong, persistent and brave enough to dare to start a business when nearly everyone around you thinks your nuts. Dan and Gracie and their partner (1 human and 2 canines) become famous for being the founders of Three Dog Bakery and I was so happy for them.
Written with warmth and humor I immediately fell in love with this story. It was a riveting, heartwarming, tear-jerking keeper of a book.
I adored this book and will unashamedly gush about it to whoever will listen. If you are a dog lover you need to read it. If you are stuck in a crap job and aspire to living your dream you also need to read it. If you could care less about these things you might want to skip it because it is as much a story about the love between a man and a dog as it a story of working exceptionally hard and being strong, persistent and brave enough to dare to start a business when nearly everyone around you thinks your nuts. Dan and Gracie and their partner (1 human and 2 canines) become famous for being the founders of Three Dog Bakery and I was so happy for them.
Written with warmth and humor I immediately fell in love with this story. It was a riveting, heartwarming, tear-jerking keeper of a book.
February 27, 2009
Reviewed for THC Reviews
Amazing Gracie is an incredibly heartwarming story that made me laugh at Gracie's puppy antics, cheer at her and her humans' success in business, and cry buckets as Gracie's life on this mortal plane drew to a close. I can see why Gracie was such an inspiration to the authors of this story. She overcame the disabilities with which she was born and which nearly had her euthanized as a pup, to live a long and happy life. I truly commend Dan Dye for being up to the challenge, and for having the care and compassion to accept a dog like Gracie into his heart and his life. It is truly amazing how one person or creature can change the course of our lives, and Dan and Gracie did just that for each other. It was Gracie's health problems that started Dan and his best friend, Mark down the road of creating healthy, fresh food for dogs and founding Three Dog Bakery. This in turn has led to their phenomenal success in business and the culmination of a life-long dream of getting out of the rat race and working for themselves. It is likely that without Gracie, none of that would have been possible, which is truly “amazing”.
As I read Amazing Gracie, I got the feeling that Gracie must have been one of the greatest dogs in the world, and her “sisters” Sarah and Dottie weren't so bad themselves.:-) The authors' love for all the dogs, but particularly Gracie, really shines through in the narrative. I loved the humor of the story, especially when they assign human interpretations to doggie behavior. It simply made me laugh out loud. Their writing style is light, breezy and easily accessible to readers of all ages. I would even recommend the book for kids as young as middle school. I also thoroughly enjoyed the whimsical illustrations that can be found every few pages throughout the book. I thought they gave it the warm feeling of a Hallmark card. Most of the story was full of fun and games and delightful smiles, but I will warn readers to have a box of tissues handy for the ending. Having been through almost exactly the same thing with my own dog, I felt like I completely understood Dan Dye's thoughts and feelings at that time and what Gracie was going through too. That final chapter was heartbreaking, but in a good way, as I feel that Gracie's spirit lives on in the daily lives of the two men she inspired to start Three Dog Bakery and the bakery itself, as well as the Gracie Foundation. I imagine that Gracie must have touched the lives of nearly everyone she met in much the same way that she touched mine through her story. I borrowed Amazing Gracie from the library, but will definitely be acquiring a copy of my own for my keeper shelf. In my opinion, this book is a must read for all dog and general animal lovers. My dog and I just might have to pay a visit to our local Three Dog Bakery soon.
Amazing Gracie is an incredibly heartwarming story that made me laugh at Gracie's puppy antics, cheer at her and her humans' success in business, and cry buckets as Gracie's life on this mortal plane drew to a close. I can see why Gracie was such an inspiration to the authors of this story. She overcame the disabilities with which she was born and which nearly had her euthanized as a pup, to live a long and happy life. I truly commend Dan Dye for being up to the challenge, and for having the care and compassion to accept a dog like Gracie into his heart and his life. It is truly amazing how one person or creature can change the course of our lives, and Dan and Gracie did just that for each other. It was Gracie's health problems that started Dan and his best friend, Mark down the road of creating healthy, fresh food for dogs and founding Three Dog Bakery. This in turn has led to their phenomenal success in business and the culmination of a life-long dream of getting out of the rat race and working for themselves. It is likely that without Gracie, none of that would have been possible, which is truly “amazing”.
As I read Amazing Gracie, I got the feeling that Gracie must have been one of the greatest dogs in the world, and her “sisters” Sarah and Dottie weren't so bad themselves.:-) The authors' love for all the dogs, but particularly Gracie, really shines through in the narrative. I loved the humor of the story, especially when they assign human interpretations to doggie behavior. It simply made me laugh out loud. Their writing style is light, breezy and easily accessible to readers of all ages. I would even recommend the book for kids as young as middle school. I also thoroughly enjoyed the whimsical illustrations that can be found every few pages throughout the book. I thought they gave it the warm feeling of a Hallmark card. Most of the story was full of fun and games and delightful smiles, but I will warn readers to have a box of tissues handy for the ending. Having been through almost exactly the same thing with my own dog, I felt like I completely understood Dan Dye's thoughts and feelings at that time and what Gracie was going through too. That final chapter was heartbreaking, but in a good way, as I feel that Gracie's spirit lives on in the daily lives of the two men she inspired to start Three Dog Bakery and the bakery itself, as well as the Gracie Foundation. I imagine that Gracie must have touched the lives of nearly everyone she met in much the same way that she touched mine through her story. I borrowed Amazing Gracie from the library, but will definitely be acquiring a copy of my own for my keeper shelf. In my opinion, this book is a must read for all dog and general animal lovers. My dog and I just might have to pay a visit to our local Three Dog Bakery soon.
January 3, 2022
I was ready for a "heartwarming " story--to use a word which I agree completely with in one of the blurbs on the cover--and this was it! It's the story of Gracie, a deaf albino Great Dane with sky blue eyes. The breeder had decided to euthanize ( kill) the little pup, but she was saved by Dan Dye, the main author of this book. This beautiful book tells how much Gracie affected Dan's life with many stories told humorously. Dan and his friend Mark Beckloff went on to found "Three Dog Bakery," the world's original bakery for dogs. So we get a must-read story for dog-lovers (such as myself), but also an engaging "rags-to-riches" story.
A wonderful book published in 2000. How did I miss it when it came out?
A wonderful book published in 2000. How did I miss it when it came out?
February 12, 2009
This is a MUST read for dog lovers! True story of the companionship and love that a dog and her owners share. Opens the door to what a dog and owner can and do share between them...love, companionship, and so much more. This is one of those books that you just cannot put down! Does need a kleenex alert!
October 19, 2015
This tale had no trouble capturing my attention and heart. I am always up for a good animal story. Factor in that this a true story about the life and times of a rescued Great Dane and her person and I am all in.
Gracie was a deaf Dane, rescued by Dan Dye from a breeder who would have put her down for her disability. And as is the norm for rescues, she goes about turning his life upside down.Their life journey together is the premise of the story. Of course it must be said that Dan Dye is one of the co-founders and owners of Three Dog Bakery. This is a tale also of how that business came to be. In fairness though, I did not find it to be a commercial for his business.It was treated as a natural progression of the story.
Being the mama to three rescued Great Dane girls, this story resonated with me.My first rescue Dane was a ten week old female, Abby. While not deaf she had her own demons to fight as well as a serious nutritional problem. Now a senior girl of almost ten, she is my Gracie.
I laughed and cried through this story. Anyone who has ever been a dog's person will enjoy this book.I "read" this book in it's audio form. And I am so glad I did. The narrator did a fantastic job of capturing the personalities of the people and dogs involved.
Gracie was a deaf Dane, rescued by Dan Dye from a breeder who would have put her down for her disability. And as is the norm for rescues, she goes about turning his life upside down.Their life journey together is the premise of the story. Of course it must be said that Dan Dye is one of the co-founders and owners of Three Dog Bakery. This is a tale also of how that business came to be. In fairness though, I did not find it to be a commercial for his business.It was treated as a natural progression of the story.
Being the mama to three rescued Great Dane girls, this story resonated with me.My first rescue Dane was a ten week old female, Abby. While not deaf she had her own demons to fight as well as a serious nutritional problem. Now a senior girl of almost ten, she is my Gracie.
I laughed and cried through this story. Anyone who has ever been a dog's person will enjoy this book.I "read" this book in it's audio form. And I am so glad I did. The narrator did a fantastic job of capturing the personalities of the people and dogs involved.
August 5, 2012
While this book is not particularly literary, I have loved enough animals to feel convinced of its truths as a reader. Not only do these guys do speak with an authentic voice; Gracie is special. It's a cute story, and one that tugs at your heart strings. My daughter just unexpectedly lost her gentle, gorgeous standard poodle, whose personally reminded me so much of Gracie. Some dogs are pets, others seem to have a nobility and otherworldly character that seems to categorize them as a "old-soul. If you enjoy animal stories, or if you want to be reminded about why need pets, you might want to read this one.
January 16, 2014
I absolutely loved Amazing Gracie! I just finished crying like a freaking baby. I mean, I know large dogs don't live to be very old, so the chances that Gracie was still alive were about zero, I still just wasn't prepared for that ending. But the beautiful part is that Gracie lived an incredible life with owners that loved her and sisters that grew to be her best friends. I wish every dog owner was as good to their pets as Dan and Mark were.
Amazing Gracie was sometimes hilarious, and at other times sad, and it was a very fast, very enjoyable read. I highly recommend it for all of the animal lovers out there!
Amazing Gracie was sometimes hilarious, and at other times sad, and it was a very fast, very enjoyable read. I highly recommend it for all of the animal lovers out there!
January 30, 2008
If you cry a lot in books, then near the end of this fabtabulous one, grab the tissue box, for even i (who never crys during books) was touched by this book and sobbing by the end of it, (thank god no one could see me!)
January 23, 2026
I was looking for a book that would
make me smile and feel good about the world. This book did the job!
make me smile and feel good about the world. This book did the job!
March 18, 2012
A few days ago, this was the "Kindle Deal of the Day," so I downloaded the sample to see if it was worth buying. I was immediately hooked, bought the book, and couldn't put it down. Every other book and project was put down until I finished this gem. In places I variously grinned, chuckled, belly-laughed, teared up, and had a good hearty tissue fest. Only mind-searing migraines could tear me away from this book, and I'm not normally a dog-memoir person.
The gist of the story is this: Dan, trudging through life with a dead-end job, is grieving the loss of the dog who was with him through adolescence, teens, and college years. His friend Anne, the new "parent" of a Great Dane puppy, enlists his help in rescuing her puppy's sister--a deaf albino "runt" who wastes no time capturing Dan's heart. When Dan brings Gracie home, she quickly enchants Mark, Dan's roommate and fellow dreamer, but has less luck with Mark's two dogs. Hilarity ensues, followed by heartwarming moments, more hilarity, more heart-cozies, and generally uplifting life lessons, as Gracie touches the humans and canines around her, and inspires Dan and Mark to start a (very successful) business baking wholesome goodies for pups.
Dan Dye's writing style is extremely engaging--reading this was like listening to a hilarious series of stories from the friend you call when you need your mood lifted. The little doodles in the book were charming, too. If I ever find this in paperback in a brick-and-mortar, I'll buy copies for every dog (or pet) lover I know. Heck, I'm owned by two cats, but I still completely loved every word of this book!
The gist of the story is this: Dan, trudging through life with a dead-end job, is grieving the loss of the dog who was with him through adolescence, teens, and college years. His friend Anne, the new "parent" of a Great Dane puppy, enlists his help in rescuing her puppy's sister--a deaf albino "runt" who wastes no time capturing Dan's heart. When Dan brings Gracie home, she quickly enchants Mark, Dan's roommate and fellow dreamer, but has less luck with Mark's two dogs. Hilarity ensues, followed by heartwarming moments, more hilarity, more heart-cozies, and generally uplifting life lessons, as Gracie touches the humans and canines around her, and inspires Dan and Mark to start a (very successful) business baking wholesome goodies for pups.
Dan Dye's writing style is extremely engaging--reading this was like listening to a hilarious series of stories from the friend you call when you need your mood lifted. The little doodles in the book were charming, too. If I ever find this in paperback in a brick-and-mortar, I'll buy copies for every dog (or pet) lover I know. Heck, I'm owned by two cats, but I still completely loved every word of this book!
March 8, 2012
Amazing Gracie is a capturing book, where an deaf dog inspired a man to create a bakery for dogs. I love it!!!! You should definutly read it, because it is touching. I would only recommmend it for children 10-15 years of age. Plus, I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!! I love it!!!!
December 31, 2015
Two men are living together, one has two dogs, the other just had one die. He adopts a Great Dane puppy, Gracie. Gracie is an albino, she is deaf, and blind in one eye. She is also a picky eater. In an attempt to get her to eat, they start experimenting with fresh, organic food. They hit on a combination she likes, and presto, all their friends and neighbors also want to buy the biscuits for their dogs. Eventually they are a success and have a bakery called Three Dog Bakery and they are rich enough to live in a mansion, located on 25 acres, which is all fenced in. Gracie lives to be almost ten, and her "heir" is another deaf albino Great Dane named Claire.
July 13, 2008
The story of a man not yet over the death of his beloved dog and the blind, albino Great Dane that saves him. The story tells how Gracie changes his life and leads him to pursue a dream. Dan, the author, and Mark founded Three Dog Bakery after Dan had to learn to cook to find something Gracie would eat. This is a heartwarming book, and I heartily recommend it to ANY dog lover. Dogs are good people.
I went to the Three Dog Bakery website and bought some - my dog prefers their treats to all others.
I went to the Three Dog Bakery website and bought some - my dog prefers their treats to all others.
September 6, 2010
I enjoyed this short but funny read so much, I went to their website and bought my dogs three bags of treats! LOL. If it's a marketing ploy, it works.. :)
It is funny and touching both. It's about a deaf albino great dane who inspires two guys to start making dog cookies and before you know it, they have stores all over the country and are appearing on Oprah.
Fabulous!
It is funny and touching both. It's about a deaf albino great dane who inspires two guys to start making dog cookies and before you know it, they have stores all over the country and are appearing on Oprah.
Fabulous!
March 26, 2012
I gave it 5 stars because I love dogs. :) I also thought it was a great true story on a dog's unconditional love... I could relate to Dan, the author, and his dog Gracie. Of course, if you've read other reviews it will make you laugh and cry as you relate his experiences to your own. Great easy, short read!
December 28, 2008
Wow! What a great book! In a very funny way of writing, Dan Dye explains how his dog bakery began because of Gracie, his deaf Great Dane, who was a picky eater and ate only all natural fresh foods. The book chronicles all of Gracie's life and Three Dog Bakery. Get your tissues ready!
April 4, 2009
Requires an entire box of tissues by book's end!
April 24, 2020
This is a delightful true story of two men and their canines, particularly Gracie. Their dogs inspired them to start a natural food business for dogs, then a bakery, then more bakeries, and then a TV show. I have experienced animals who changed my life, and that certainly happened to these two men. Loved it.
August 8, 2017
Lovely dog book. As a Great Dane owner this really touched my heart. By the end I was sobbing, being the owner of a senior dane dog I know they don't live long and we soon will be saying good bye to our sweet Apollo. This story was well written and true to the behavior of a Great Dane :)
July 10, 2019
Every dog is the best dog. Gracie was. And Brennan was. And Scout is.
January 27, 2018
I loved everything about this book - and not just because I’ve raised a Great Dane from a puppy. It was funny, real and thoughtful.
October 27, 2012
An impossibly cute tale about a tail that jump started the famed Three Dog Bakery. Author and owner of Three Dog Bakery Dan Dye recounts the story of Great Dane Gracie and how she found him and he found his calling.
Small (at first) and ungraceful (always), Gracie enters Dan's life during a period of discord. Out of college, working a job he hates, Dan doesn't know what to do or where to go in life. Cue Gracie, a ridiculously cute, all white, blue-eyed, deaf, runt of the litter Great Dane. Gracie turns Dan's life upside-down. As she begins to grow from awkward puppy into full-blown Dane, Gracie curiously stops gaining weight. Finally, Gracie refuses to eat at all. Dan is beside himself and does the only thing he doesn't know how to do – he cooks for her.
Low and behold, Gracie eats. Not only does she eat, she adores Dan's cooking. As he tries new and more exotic recipes, Gracie carefully approves each one until Dan has a small cookbook of doggie approved snacks. With that, Three Dog Bakery was born.
The book, complete with adorable cartoons of implausibly hilarious situations described by Dan, is a heartwarming story. We follow Dan as he adopts Gracie, disastrously learns to cook, and finally creates a tangible business from a dream and a bone shaped cookie cutter.
We also watch Gracie go from being an unwanted puppy to a muse with a gentle spirit, and finally a guiding presence after she is gone. While I laughed way more than I cried, oh how did I cry when Dan had to make the decision that every pet owner dreads. I had grown to know and love this amazing dog over those 200-odd pages. When her time came, I felt as if I lost a dear pet, too.
This book is a must read for any animal lover. Here, the underdog does win – and she takes her owner with her. Three Dog Bakery is still going strong. Even though there are three new dog's at the bakery's meet and greets, Gracie is never far from Dan's mind. She is never far from my mind after reading her story. I will never forget amazing Gracie; the enormous, deaf, gentle, blue-eyed, white Great Dane smiling in her tutu as she welcomes visitors to her bakery.
She was a truly amazing dog and this is an incredibly inspiring story.
Small (at first) and ungraceful (always), Gracie enters Dan's life during a period of discord. Out of college, working a job he hates, Dan doesn't know what to do or where to go in life. Cue Gracie, a ridiculously cute, all white, blue-eyed, deaf, runt of the litter Great Dane. Gracie turns Dan's life upside-down. As she begins to grow from awkward puppy into full-blown Dane, Gracie curiously stops gaining weight. Finally, Gracie refuses to eat at all. Dan is beside himself and does the only thing he doesn't know how to do – he cooks for her.
Low and behold, Gracie eats. Not only does she eat, she adores Dan's cooking. As he tries new and more exotic recipes, Gracie carefully approves each one until Dan has a small cookbook of doggie approved snacks. With that, Three Dog Bakery was born.
The book, complete with adorable cartoons of implausibly hilarious situations described by Dan, is a heartwarming story. We follow Dan as he adopts Gracie, disastrously learns to cook, and finally creates a tangible business from a dream and a bone shaped cookie cutter.
We also watch Gracie go from being an unwanted puppy to a muse with a gentle spirit, and finally a guiding presence after she is gone. While I laughed way more than I cried, oh how did I cry when Dan had to make the decision that every pet owner dreads. I had grown to know and love this amazing dog over those 200-odd pages. When her time came, I felt as if I lost a dear pet, too.
This book is a must read for any animal lover. Here, the underdog does win – and she takes her owner with her. Three Dog Bakery is still going strong. Even though there are three new dog's at the bakery's meet and greets, Gracie is never far from Dan's mind. She is never far from my mind after reading her story. I will never forget amazing Gracie; the enormous, deaf, gentle, blue-eyed, white Great Dane smiling in her tutu as she welcomes visitors to her bakery.
She was a truly amazing dog and this is an incredibly inspiring story.
April 5, 2012
When I saw that a good friend had written that this was a favorite of hers I knew I had to read it. One of the biggest things we have in common is a huge love for animals so I knew this had to mean something.
At first, I wasn't so sure. I liked the authors voice, he has an enjoyable sense of humor.
It took just a little getting into for me - not having anything to do with the Gracie really but I wanted to get into the meat of it. Basically, the bakery and baking didn't mean anything to me until Gracie was really a part of it. Which, in a way she was from the beginning, but I mean a real part. Not Dad trying to help his pooch. (This isn't to say there is a bad or boring part to the story - there really isn't - this is just what interests me more and less.)
But once I go into it I really got into it. I shudder to think of what Gracie's - short - life would have been like without Dan and Mark and - initially - Anne. I thank God that these people and Gracie found each other and I wish, so hard, that more people - that everyone - could see what these people saw with Gracie.
It's not just Gracie. Gracie did it for Dan. Dottie and Sarah did it for Mark. Every animal is capable of it if we allow them.
I don't think I'd ever heard of 3 Dog Bakery before this book but I applaud these people for making this work and I'm glad it worked out for them. These are the type of people I like to see make it.
Saving Gracie really is a worthwhile book. I doubt many non-lovers of animals will pick it up but if just one does and changes the way he or she treats an animal it's all worth it.
I normally would would keep this but I'll have to get it again in the future for Julia because this is a bookcrossing book and I'd like it to go on to the next person now. But I do want Julia to read it eventually.
At first, I wasn't so sure. I liked the authors voice, he has an enjoyable sense of humor.
It took just a little getting into for me - not having anything to do with the Gracie really but I wanted to get into the meat of it. Basically, the bakery and baking didn't mean anything to me until Gracie was really a part of it. Which, in a way she was from the beginning, but I mean a real part. Not Dad trying to help his pooch. (This isn't to say there is a bad or boring part to the story - there really isn't - this is just what interests me more and less.)
But once I go into it I really got into it. I shudder to think of what Gracie's - short - life would have been like without Dan and Mark and - initially - Anne. I thank God that these people and Gracie found each other and I wish, so hard, that more people - that everyone - could see what these people saw with Gracie.
It's not just Gracie. Gracie did it for Dan. Dottie and Sarah did it for Mark. Every animal is capable of it if we allow them.
I don't think I'd ever heard of 3 Dog Bakery before this book but I applaud these people for making this work and I'm glad it worked out for them. These are the type of people I like to see make it.
Saving Gracie really is a worthwhile book. I doubt many non-lovers of animals will pick it up but if just one does and changes the way he or she treats an animal it's all worth it.
I normally would would keep this but I'll have to get it again in the future for Julia because this is a bookcrossing book and I'd like it to go on to the next person now. But I do want Julia to read it eventually.
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December 27, 2019A delightful, funny book, _Amazing Gracie_ proved to be quick, enjoyable reading for me. Dan Dye was searching for meaningful work in his life, wishing for a closer family but also sighing relief when he didn't have to spend holidays with them, and doubting all the challenges he was facing with a new home badly in need of renovation. That was the point in his life -- almost 30! I still laugh gently like I did when I was reading because that's really quite young -- when he rescued little Gracie. She was a runt of a Great Dane, albino, underfed, and deaf. Had she not been adopted from a sordid home, she would have been put down we learn in the telling. Well, these two formed a loving bond immediately, and they extended that connection to Dan's friend Mark and two other dogs - Dottie and Sarah. Kansas City residents will recognize the "family" of Three Dog Bakery, and this lively memoir relates how these five (with family members and friends) began the business. That business venture led to adventures (and glamorous travel) for them all. A good amount of their story is presented in these pages, and readers will feel like they "know" these men and dogs. There's even a section of photographs titled "Gracie's Album" which is both playful and tender. The narrator's writing style made me imagine a long series of stories, perhaps at a small party or family gathering. I began and finished reading this the day after Christmas, and it was by far better than any holiday film playing in seemingly endless loops. This is a must-read for all who love dogs!
April 1, 2012
Great Danes are amazing family members that unfortunately leave this Earth way too soon. Amazing Gracie is a true story about an albino Great Dane who happened to be deaf and was saved from euthanasia by the author. It tells the story of how the author coped with the loss of a lifelong friend with the help of a this dog, who was named Gracie. It goes through the owner's life with Gracie, and tells the story of how she helped him in multiple aspects of his life. Having a deaf albino Great Dane myself that passed a couple of years ago, this book was a heartwarming and heart wrenching tale. The author pins Great Dane personality traits perfectly, and as I read the book, it reminded me of our Dane. In some parts of the book I'd find myself laughing, and in other parts, I would cry my eyes out. This book was recommended to our family after we had to unfortunately put our Dane to rest, and it actually helped us all cope with our terrible loss. You really get to know both the author and Gracie through this book, and feel like you knew them both in person. I always recommend this book to anyone who has lost a companion, not to just Great Dane owners, because it reminds you that even though our beloved pet friends are gone in body, their spirit lives on in our hearts. This book reminds you that the memories you made together are what matters after they're gone, and you realize how privileged you were to be able to share part of your life with them, however short it may have been.
July 28, 2014
Pretty much your standard guy meets dog-dog makes his life better story. It was nice, fun light reading, and yes I cried at the end. The author's writing is funny and warm, but it's not particularly distinguished from any other book in this genre, other than the angle of the dog inspiring them to start a successful business. I also was a little thrown by how little I got a read on Mark. He's always there in the background, but I still don't really feel like I know him or have any real sense of his personality. To be perfectly honest, these two MUST be gay, right? Yet I'm still not 100% sure from the way Dan writes about him. He talks about him not even like you would a close friend, but more a roommate or business partner; there never seems to be any intimacy between them. He doesn't say anything about how they met or became roommates. Maybe he was afraid of offending some of the audience, or maybe the publisher insisted on leaving it out. I don't know, but it comes off rather strange. You get to know Dan and his four dogs very well, but not much about their coowner, and it's one of the things that keeps me from giving the book a higher rating. The cutesy pencil drawings were also a bit much-although I'm a sucker and the final one did make me bawl.
Despite all that, I did enjoy the book very much and I do recommend it if animal stories are your thing. IF they aren't, this book isn't going to convert you, but it is a good read.
Despite all that, I did enjoy the book very much and I do recommend it if animal stories are your thing. IF they aren't, this book isn't going to convert you, but it is a good read.
February 12, 2017
Loved it. Named my last rescue after her!
March 7, 2010
Amazing Gracie: A Dog's Tale was a book about a dog and a book about starting a business. It's about a man who rescued a dog from euthanasia and found his life's work because of the dog. If you read it just because you love animals you will find a heart warming tale that will make you laugh out loud and cry too so keep the tissues handy. If you read it to learn more about starting a business you will also be satisfied.
March 31, 2010
Dan Dye had a horrible life he hated his job he didn't know what to do and his dog just died not to long ago. Friends did their best to cheer him up but it didn't work.Then a Great Dane called Gracie came into his life, then things started to go his way for once.Gracie was a puppy that no one else liked, because she was deaf, she is albino, and she also had big blue eyes,when Dan first saw her, he fell in love with her he finally felt happy.I recommend this book to true dog lovers,this book is a realistic fiction.I'm a dog lover and i love the book but it was sad that no one wanted Gracie
March 25, 2011
I bought this book for my sister as a present, but then wanted to be sure it was something she would enjoy. After reading it, I'm glad I did. It was everything that a book about a dog changing someone's life should be--memorable, poignant, humorous, and full of love, both Gracie's love for her humans, and her humans' love for her. Easy enough to read in a morning (which I did), yet important enough to remember and perhaps come back to. And a tear-jerker at the end, given the fact that I've got a "good ol' boy" at home. Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable book.
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