McKinley, a malamute who lives in Colorado with his human family, is a devoted pet. Despite his human family's unawareness, he is the leader of the town's dogs. When Redburn challenges McKinley for the position of head dog, McKinley has his work cut out for him, especially when he learns of Lupin's (a wolf) desire to return the town's dogs to the wild, in an effort to rebuild the wolf pack. ( )

Booktalk draft: There’s a phrase that goes “it’s a dog’s life.” It means life is going pretty good for someone. For McKinley, a malamute living in Colorado, his life is . . . well, a dog’s life. He’s well fed and taken care of by his humans. He’s free to wander the streets of town and check out what’s happening, hang out with the other dogs. But McKinley has serious responsibilities too. He protects his humans, especially his human pup Jack. And as head dog in town, McKinley is expected to be the strong leader of the town’s dogs and to maintain that image. Especially when Redburn, the setter, begin to challenge him. But basically McKinley’s life is a good life. But how good is it really? McKinley begins to wonder after he meets Lupin, a wolf. Lupin is like no animal McKinley has ever known. Her body is powerful, her legs strong, her eyes piercing and glowing. She’s free of any human smells and her howl is awesomely bold and strong. Lupin issues a challenge to the local dogs: Join the wolves, your ancestors, and help us rebuild a dying pack. Live free of humans and live and die by your own wits and intelligence. It’s an intriguing idea but not one the dogs in town are so hot about.

I thought this was a good book. The autho wrote it very well. It was a very nice read. It was not very challenging but still fun. It is nerveracking and bone chiling. I enjoyed it very much.
The book is about a boy and his dog named McKinley. Mckinley thought he had a nice going life. He was head dog and very smart. He was thinking how good his life was with his humans until he was looking for a lost dog with his owner when he came across a wolf. The wolf made him question if his life with the humans was pleasent. The things the wolf said about humans was all true and the humans started to bother him more. Then the wolf was wounded with a gun. And the dog must try to help. What will happen to the wolf, what will happen to Mckinley ( )

In this book the pack leader of the town dogs, Mckinley, has a lot on his shoulders. His friend who is a ,racing dog ,is being abused and runs away. When his friend runs away Mckinley goes in search of her to tell her that another dog, Redburn, is hunting her for his owners. As Mckinley goes in search of her ,he discovers a wolf. The wolf has come to the town to tell the pet dogs, that her pack is becoming extinct due to hunting, and she needs other dogs to join her pack to avoid extinction. Mckinley cowers in the presence of the wolf, and tells the other dogs not to hunt her. When Redburn discovers this he thinks he should be head dog. Mckinley and him have a battle of words (Argue over why they should be leader) and Mckinley wins. Mckinley tells the dogs the Wolf's message, and the wolf heads back North with some of the dogs following her.

I liked his book because number one it explains to people that dogs are not just companions, they are protectors. I also like how the author put the book in the dogs point of view. I also appreciated how the author was getting the word out that wolves are becoming extinct. I enjoyed how the book included how people should treat their pets. This book carried information, facts, and entertainment. I love how the author explained different kinds of feelings in the book. In my opinion this is a 100% book for kids, teens, and adults!!! ( )

An awesome dog book, The Good dog is a nice story about a dog who helps a wolf. ( )