Guinea Dog - Softcover

Patrick Jennings's books for young readers have received honors from Publishers Weekly, The Horn Book, Smithsonian Magazine, the PEN Center USA, the Woman's National Book Association, and the Chicago and New York Public Libraries. The Seattle Public Library awarded his book, Guinea Dog, the Washington State Book Award of 2011. His book, Faith and the Electric Dogs, is currently being adapted for the screen. His newest book, Hissy Fitz, was published in January 2015. He currently writes full time in his home in Port Townsend, Washington.

"A humorous story about an unusual pet. Rufus has but one wish―a dog. His stay-at-home Dad does not agree. His list of reasons not to get a dog extends over two pages. Rufus's sympathetic mom brings home a guinea pig, which Rufus has expressly said he does not want. To his surprise, though, the guinea pig (which he sullenly names Fido) behaves like a dog! She obeys every command Rufus gives her, plays tug-o'-war and even chews shoes. His best friend wishes she were his when, during a Frisbee game, out of nowhere, she retrieves the disc and brings it to Rufus. The family decides to return Fido to the pet store, but a classmate is willing to buy her to replace her hamster―and it's then that Rufus begins to have second thoughts. Jennings provides no explanation as to why Fido acts like a dog, asking readers to accept the absurdity along with Rufus. The school characters are fairly one dimensional, but the undeniably funny plot moves along, and readers into beginning chapter books should enjoy this wry story of wish fulfillment." ―Kirkus Reviews

"Jennings' salute to kids who get less (and more) than they ask for offers a unique and hilarious take on boy-dog bonding. Fifth-grader Rufus begs for a dog, but because Dad says no (in an enumerated list), Mom brings home a guinea pig. Rufus is disappointed, and Dad is annoyed, but because the pet shop has vanished, they are stuck with a rodent that barks, fetches sticks, whines, and licks faces. Rufus is both embarrassed (what will his friends think?) and charmed by Fido's doglike behaviors; the scale finally tips in the pig's direction when he executes a perfect, Lassie-like rescue of his master. As he did in Faith and the Electric Dogs (1996) and more recently in We Can't All Be Rattlesnakes (2009), Jennings injects magic realism into a story filled with believable yet flawed characters, resulting in a satisfying story. Short, manageable chapters; a breezy, conversational style; and identifiable characters (the bully, the show-off, the obsessive stay-at-home dad) make this a good choice for readers making the transition to chapter books." ―Booklist

"Despite his pleadings and various bargaining maneuvers, Rufus' requests for a dog have repeatedly been denied by his work-at-home dad, a clean freak with a strict no-dogs policy. In an effort towards compromise, Rufus' mom brings home a guinea pig one day, and, surprisingly, father and son do indeed reconcile, if only in their shared dislike of the furry rodent. The more time Rufus spends with the ironically named Fido, however, the more he realizes this is no ordinary guinea pig but a mohawked little furball who acts extraordinarily like a real dog; soon Rufus finds himself trying desperately to convince his father and his friends (and maybe even himself) that this rotund guinea dog is the ideal pet. An authentic kid voice and a bit of whimsical wish-fulfillment make for an intriguing twist on the typical boy-and-dog story. Rufus' narration is fresh and funny, particularly when he's poking fun at his father or observing the complex dynamics of boy-girl interactions, and his descriptions of Fido's wiggly behind and raucous screeching only add to the story's playful charm. Though the realistic subplots aren't quite up to the same level, this is a bouncy and animated pet story, and youngsters hoping for their own puppy privileges will find amusement in Rufus' triumph over the pesky rules of adults." ―The Bulletin of the Center for the Children's Books

"Fifth-grader Rufus's only wish is to get a dog, but his work-at-home dad objects. He lists numerous reasons, including that dogs lick people’s faces, chase cars, and eat dead things. Rufus's mom brings home a guinea pig instead in an attempt to fulfill her son's desire for a pet. To his surprise, the guinea pig, which he names Fido, acts like a dog. She obeys his commands and chews his dad's shoes. When Rufus's family decides to return the animal to the pet store, a classmate is willing to buy her to replace her hamster. But Rufus begins to have second thoughts about relinquishing the guinea pig. Although no explanation is given for why Fido behaves like a dog, children will have no problem accepting the absurdity of the situation. Early chapter-book readers will enjoy this humorous tale." ―School Library Journal