“Mouse & His Dog” by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko follows “Dogtown” in the adventures of dogs at a private dog shelter called, of course, Dogtown, as narrated by the mouse who lives there. This mouse loves the dogs in Dogtown, and he desperately tries to find them homes before they end up on “the list.” In this beautifully written, touching novel that is both an ode to the joy of loving dogs and a plea to rescue one, we meet several dogs who are typical of dogs we might really meet in a shelter.

Buster is a golden retriever who has been adopted and returned many times. While golden retrievers are highly adoptable dogs and very sought out, Buster is a difficult dog to live with. He is not trained, he’s a high energy dog, and he will chew and eat anything within reach. When a dog is adopted and returned even once, it’s not promising for the dog. Buster has had several failed adoptions. However, as we see, Buster is an extremely intelligent dog, but after stealing his last owner’s electric wheelchair, he’s put in a kennel with a special padlock on the door from which he can’t escape. His future does not look good.

Then we meet Stewie. He’s a huge dog who escaped from another shelter three times. He snuck next door to the nursing home and would sleep on their couch. When one of the animal control officers commented that he doesn’t sound dangerous, the other explained that the guy who surrendered him said he was mean. So he, also, goes behind a padlocked gate into a kennel. (On a side note: those of us in animal rescue know only too well that many times people will make up bad things about the dogs they are abandoning at shelters to make themselves look less terrible. “My dog bites,” or “My dog runs away” are excuses that are often fabricated, pure lies, so that they feel better. But what those lies do is cause the poor dogs to be put on “the list.” With no hope of being adopted. So yes, this really happens.)

In this unusual shelter, there are also robot dogs. Yes, I couldn’t imagine how the authors would make robot dogs sound appealing, but believe me, they do. Smokey is a robot dog with a problem. At the factory where he was made, they also manufactured smoke alarms. Somehow, the sound chip for Smokey got mixed up with that of a smoke alarm. We learn that somewhere is a smoke alarm that barks, and Smokey is a robot dog who chirps and, when excited, makes the sound of a smoke alarm. But as we learn, Smokey is sweet, kind, and very intelligent.

Three dogs who are considered unadoptable: Smokey, Buster, Stewie. But the authors also introduce us to two childen, Saanvi and Owen. They live in the same apartment building and come to the Reading Dog Buddy group to read to the dogs in the shelter. Buster has been moved to the basement, where the dogs aren’t allowed to be Reading Dog Buddies, but Saanvi comes and sneaks into the basement to read to Buster anyway.

Mouse adores many of the dogs at Dogtown, but he considers Buster “his” dog. He’s worried that Buster will end up on the “list.” The authors don’t explain in detail what happens to dogs on that “list,” but the idea is that it’s something bad. Adults know exactly what that list is for. There are only so many dogs who can live at the shelter, and when not enough get adopted, some dogs don’t make it out. They make it clear that the people who work at the shelter love the dogs, but they also must run the shelter and take in more dogs when they are surrendered. It’s a sad but realistic fact of life; that’s what happens to stray dogs or abandoned dogs who don’t get adopted.

When Mouse sees Stewie on the list he panics. But Buster gets adopted by a pair of people we know we don’t trust. They want a watchdog, not a companion. And sure enough, that night Buster returns, alone, riding the wheelchair. Saanvi had wanted to adopt Buster, but she inexplicably disappears. When Mouse sees that Buster, also, is on the list, he is determined to save the dogs. And Mouse, being Mouse, comes up with a plan.

Of course the dogs end up in homes. This is definitely a feel-good book. But also, along the way, the authors share some important words of wisdom. Why do we love dogs? The authors tell us that “Dogs don’t judge. They listen, lick your hand, and curl up next to you. Dog love in the most uncomplicated way.” And both authors have rescued dogs in their lives, so they know the unfortunate truth about animal shelters. “No matter how much you love dogs, you couldn’t take them all home.”

If you’ve never rescued a dog, maybe, just maybe, reading this book will inspire you. Reading about Mary Alice and Stewie made me cry. It reminded me of a certain Great Pyrenees I fostered who was abandoned at the age of eight in Chicago. She had never lived in a home, but she was sweet and gentle. She ended up becoming a therapy dog and coming to school with me to work with students. I adopted her, of course. Sadie lived the rest of her life being loved and hugged by dozens of children daily. Did she love it? No one knows, but she stood stoically while they surrounded her and showered her with hugs and kisses. Mary Alice and her huge protector Stewie are a perfect match. But little dogs, too, can be wonderful companions. My current foster is a hospice foster, a 15-year-old Chihuahua/doxie mix who was found scrounging for food in Oklahoma. He’s got cancer, but he’s outlived the vet’s prediction by months, and he seems to get more sprightly as time goes by. He’s bitten my husband several times, but in spite of all that, we love him. He’ll get love and good food and a soft bed until it’s his time to go.

Dogs. Rescue dogs. If you can’t adopt a rescue dog, consider fostering. You only provide love and affection, and the rescue provides all medical care, food, and sometimes even a bed. Cats also need homes; in spite of Mouse’s understandable dislike of cats, they make wonderful companions, too.

I know that the authors’ depiction of shelter life and the outcome for too many shelter dogs was created, at least partially, because of their desire to spread the word about how wonderful it is to adopt a dog. To rescue a dog. While berniepoos and doodles are all the craze, nothing can beat a plain old mix who will give you its heart and soul if you only give it a chance.

Read “Dogtown” and “Mouse & His Dog” and don’t adopt a dog. I dare you. Better yet, read these wonderful books and share them with others. Start a reading dog club and go to shelters to read to dogs. Read these two books to them! Collect blankets and towels and take them to your local shelter. If you can’t adopt a dog, help a local rescue. Maybe foster a dog, donate dog food, help pay veterinarian bills for a local rescue. But if you don’t have a dog, or two or three, in your life, you are definitely missing out on an experience that will change your life. Just ask Katherine Applegate or Gennifer Choldenko. I know they’d agree.

Please note: This review is based on the final, hardcover book provided by the publisher, Feiwel & Friends, for review purposes.