A very fun and exciting book for young readers. This book tells the story of a cowboy named Grizz Brickbottom and his tough and adventurous life as a cowboy. Even though he was the toughest cowboy he felt lonely until he got a puppy to help him with his job, however the puppy was not interested in this life style at all. All she wanted to do was playing like a little puppy she was. Later in the story they all decide to move in to the town and settle down. This is a great book to teach students about the acceptance of oneself. ( )

Grizz Brickbottom, Chuck Wagon, Lariat, and Bald Mountain are cowboys of the Wild West. They are rough and tough and not very clean. Grizz decides they need a dog, so he goes to town in search of a cattle-herding, mountain lion-chasing dog to help them work the cattle. He ends up bringing back a sassy, little poodle named Foofy, who wants nothing to do with cattle or chasing dangerous predators. The men poke fun at Grizz because his plan of having a helpful dog on the range is looking bleak. After Grizz gets frustrated and launches a plate into the air, Foofy takes off to retrieve it. The men all join in playing fetch with Foofy, and before long they fall in love. They feed her, brush her hair, and tie ribbons in her hair. The illustrations are wonderful, and the story-line is very humorous. ( )

Delightful. Even before I read Roberta's review I could tell that the cowboys and dog were drawn from life. Probably the cattle are, too... I want a print of Pullen's cattle. The story is ridiculous & crude, but refreshingly creative. I will look for more by artist and illustrator. ( )

This fictitious book was full of humor and adventure that kids will really enjoy. This rough and tumble cowboy might be the toughest guy around but he realizes a dog will make everything a little better. Media: pastel ( )

This hilarious, fictional story about the toughest cowboy alive, Grizz Brickbottom, exposes to readers how even the roughest, meanest, men can be tamed. Although Grizz and his buddies were doing swell living out on the open range, Grizz realized there was something missing. As it turns out, the thing that was missing was a dog. Grizz, being as tough as he was, wanted a dog that could herd cattle and chase off mountain lions. He simply wanted a dog that was as tough as he was. However, in a turn of events, Grizz ended up with the exact opposite of that. He got himself a miniature poodle named Foofy! Although Foofy did not herd cattle and certainly would not chase off mountain lions, she kept the men entertained catching flying plates that they threw to her. Eventually, Grizz and his buddies decided to move into town with Foofy, where they would all open successful businesses. Grizz made a living off of the flying plates, or "Grizz-Bs," that he manufactured, giving up his status as the toughest cowboy in the Wild West.
Taking place in the Wild West, around the 1800's, the setting was perfect for the rough, cowboy lifestyle. Cowboys were the tough guys of this era. No one wanted to mess with them. This book challenges the stereotypical tough guy and sends a message to young readers that it is okay to be yourself, even if that means going out and getting a miniature poodle. You don't have to look and act tough to be a man. Likewise, if you are a woman, it is okay to do things men do. The message is to be true to yourself and live the way you want to live, not the way you are expected to live. ( )