After reading the picture book version of Gobi, the little dog with the big heart, I wanted to read this version. Dion Leonard came across Gobi while running a grueling 72 mile race, part of it through the Gobi Desert. When the little dog seemed to attach herself to Dion and run with her, he named her Gobi. The first part of this book describes the race, events that occurred, meeting Gobi and deciding to take her home to Edinburgh. The second part of the story is the difficulties Dion encountered trying to get Gobi home. Between the red tape, finding Gobi when she went missing and the culture of the area in China and their attitude toward dogs, it seemed like it was going to be an impossible task.

I enjoyed both parts of this book. The camaraderie the runners shared even though they were competing against each other was heartwarming. The dangerous situations and how they were solved were very interesting. In the second part, I felt Dion's pain when he could not bring Gobi home with him. When he found out Gobi was missing, I felt like crying along with him. I am an animal lover, but what Dion and his wife went through is amazing. The people he met that helped him along the way restores my belief in the goodness of others. This is a good book to read if you are an animal lover, a runner or sports enthusiast or just someone who wants to feel good about other people. A great book for a school or public library.

First of all, I am a dog lover!! I love all animals so this story resonated with me as soon as I read the description. What a wonderful story about love, staying true to yourself and what we can do if we really set our mind to do it. How Gobi picked Dion and stuck with him really shows the heart of this dog. And all the things she possibly went through in her short life before seeing Dion in the middle of the desert and deciding that he was her human is incredible. There is nothing greater than a dogs unconditional love, which is proven true in this book. How Dion paralleled his life and running with his devotion to a stray dog that he barely knew made this a really great story.

Love this wonderful book! Ultramarathoner finds Gobi, an endearing little stray doggie, during a 155-mile race through the Gobi Desert in China. He loses the race but gains a darling new companion ... and a change of heart about what’s important in life. 5/5

Grateful to the author, Thomas Nelson - - W Publishing and NetGalley for review copy; opinions are truly mine.