Don't get me wrong, this is an awfully cute book with some touching and reflective parts woven within.

It reminded me a lot of a children's story, despite some of its more emotionally grueling content -- specifically, one I read when I was in maybe second grade? -- The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. But, instead of featuring an inanimate toy traversing around trying to get back home, the main character in this was Bella, a Coloradoan mutt found under an apartment complex living with a colony of cats. And in an unfortunate way, I recall the former novel in fonder form than I found finishing the latter.

The reason I rated this so low was because I felt, while narrating as a dog was an interesting choice (and made me reflect on my past pets' feelings), Bella being so naive to the world around her got sort of infuriating by the time we meet Axel. I felt like making that choice did a disservice to the novel, didn't accomplish much with the plot or the characters learning much about themselves (besides Bella, who I think grew the most out of this whole story? Not by much, though), and Bella's constant recollections of being with Lucas did not do the job to cement my interest in him as a character or make Bella's motivation to GO back home believable. Besides all of that, maybe I've missed something that others found really enjoyable? I don't know, I barely remember the movie.

In my opinion, this dog deserved better! By far!

If you are an animal lover or are immersed within a military family -- and especially if there are children around who share these values you've impressed, go ahead and give this book a read aloud to them. It is enjoyable, I believe, in that capacity.