Yep, the Dog Diary books are still available and perfect middle to upper elementary dog lovers. This is the first book in the series. Each book features a different breed of dog. Ginger, born in a puppy mill, is a golden retriever. The series is based loosely on real dogs.

This book is a wonderful book for all ages to read. We first see Ginger born in a puppy mill and seeing the horrors of that life for her, her litter mates and especially her mother. Then we see her sold to a pet store that only cares about making money and not the welfare of the dog. We see her in her first home, then dropped off at a Shelter and see a little of her life there, then in another home, then caught by animal control and then turned over to a rescue. It's a heart-warming story where the reader can learn about the dangers and horrors of puppy mills, about getting a dog for the wrong reason, about shelter life, and about good homes and rescues.

This is the first book in the series, and it was very different from the second. Ginger in born in a puppy mill, where the runt of the litter dies, and is then taken to a pet store where she is bought by a family with a two year old, as a Christmas present. She spends a lot of time peeing on the carpet and chewing shoes until she takes a nip at the child and ends up at the shelter. There, a man who likes to run adopts her, and all goes well until the man's mother is sick, he leaves her in the care of an incompetent dog walker, and Ginger jumps through a window and spends some time as a wild dog. Eventually, animal control gets her, and the shelter sends her out to the country to a place where they rehabilitate repeat offenders. There, Ginger is matched with her "furever" family and then enjoys life with a nine year old boy.
Strengths: Interesting information about puppy mills, pet shops, and matching dogs to the right owners.
Weaknesses: Enjoyed the second book, with its historical information, a lot more!