Major Dennis first met Nubs, a German Shepherd-Border Collie Mix and the leader of a pack of desert dogs, while patrolling one of the Iraqi border forts. Eventually, Dennis and Nubs formed a bond, strengthened by the fact that Dennis nurtured the dog back to health after a near fatal injury. When Brian's team relocated a full seventy miles away, he received an unlikely visitor: Nubs. Miraculously, the dog had trekked solo through below-freezing desert temperatures to find his favorite marine. With an outpouring of help from family and friends, Dennis raised enough money to transport Nubs back to San Diego, where the dog now has a permanent home- with Dennis. In the tradition of Own & Mzee, this remarkable photographic picture book documents Nubs's amazing journey, primarily through the lens of Dennis's camera. Although this story is set against a wartime backdrop, it focuses on the incredible bond between Major Dennis and his friend Nubs.

 

This book is the winner of numerous awards. It was recognised in the Grades 3-5 category by the Kentucky Blue Grass Award. It was recognised in the Grades 4-8 category by the Maine Student Book Award. It also was recognised in the Primary School category by the Golden Sower Award. It was recognised in the Preschool category by the Nappa Gold Award. Also it was recognised in the Grades K-2 category by the Delaware Diamonds Award. It was recognised by the Christopher Award. It was recognised in the Picture Book category by the Colorado Book Award. It was recognised in the Picture Book - Older Reader category by the California Young Reader Medal. It was recognised in the Primary School category by the Volunteer State Book Award. It was recognised by the Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award.

This book is aimed at the following children: preschool , primary school .

There are 48 pages in this book. This is a picture book. A picture book uses pictures and text to tell the story. The number of words varies from zero ('wordless') to around 1k over 32 pages. Picture books are typically aimed at young readers (age 3-6) but can also be aimed at older children (7+). This book was published 2009 by Little, Brown & Company .

Brian Dennis is a major in the Marines. He and Nubs live in San Diego. Kirby Larson is the acclaimed author of the 2007 Newbery Honor book, Hattie Big Sky. Mary Nethery is the author of many picture books.