Roscoe, a border collie, is in training to be a search and rescue dog, and while he is talented in both air scent and tracking, he only follows the rules when it suits him. For example, during a testing situation where he has to locate a baby in a burning house, he breaks several rules, like not going into bushes. He excuses these behaviors by quoting his idol, search and rescue dog Big Wayne. When there is a big forest fire in Colorado, Roscoe finds himself on the way to the scene with Serge, who along with his trainer Andi, is due to retire in three days. Right after the group gets to their base camp, Roscoe once again breaks the rules, "talking" to a bear, who finds him some funny that he rolls on the ground laughing, giving the others in the group time to escape. Serge doesn't appreciate Roscoe's disregard of the rules, which , as he repeatedly says, are there to keep everyone safe. Roscoe wanders off and talks to a mountain lion cub, trying to help him, but this causes Serge to yell at him, and the two bicker. When another family is missing, Roscoe's smelling expertise locates them, but getting Courtney and her baby Jeannie to safety isn't an easy task, especially since Courtney's husband, Roger, also needs to be located. There is a leap off a cliff into a raging river, a close call with a waterfall, and even some help from the same mountain lion that Roscoe befriended. When Andi is missing, and the dogs find her badly injured, they must finally work together to get her to safety. Will Serge be able to show Roscoe that being impetuuous doesn't always end well?
Strengths: What Roscoe lacks in adhering to rules, he makes up for in skill, which seems to take him pretty far. Serge, who is a bit weary and has spent a lot of time in search and rescue, is a good foil for this sort of daredevil young newcomer. The Colorado wild fire setting is all too realistic, and it's well portrayed, although things end perhaps a bit more happily than they do in real life. The illustrations are a good touch; I wish we would see far more occasional illustrations in middle grade literature.
Weaknesses: I had a little trouble believing that Serge had to attend dog sensitivity training; Roscoe accuses him of being sizist, and this is brought up. Roscoe talking to the bear and mountain lion also gave me pause, but younger readers will just take for granted that this happens.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who want an action packed outdoor adventure from the dog's point of view, like Cameron's Ripley: Fire Station Five, Mason and Stephens' Rescue Dogs, or Stier's A Dog's Day series.

I read this one aloud with my 8 year old. It was just the right length and level, he liked the illustrations, and he found the story humorous. I’ll purchase this one for his classroom and hope this becomes a series.

Childs review: This book was a quick read. I didn’t want to put it down. You have a grumpy old man dog that is excited to be done working and a new spunky dog that can’t wait to work. I liked how they are going to a fire for rescue since being in the west coast that’s what we have. 5 stars from me. I hope this turns into a series.

Mom’s review: I read the book before having my son read it and it was sweet and adorable. You have a grumpy and a sunshiny dog pair that’s job is rescue. The setting is very descriptive making kids really feel like they are on an adventure. 5 stars from me.