Dog-nappers, suspicious cars, strange men in suits – they all make appearances in the latter half of the book which make it unexpectedly gripping stuff! I never expected a story about a dog to evolve into something resembling a Cold War thriller – but it does. Once you slip into the rhythm of it, you fly through it – much like Dion and his marathons! It’s a great book for all ages in which numerous lessons about resilience, friendship, courage and humility are shared. Split into chapters and six parts, it’s an easy-to-read book. Gobi breezes through insane running distances that would leave most of us collapsed in a heap! Her toughness and resilience reminded me of my own brave little dogs over the years. Gobi is truly an inspiring little dog and it was beautiful to read of the bond which formed during the ultra-marathon. Dion writes in a way that made me feel like I was running alongside him and Gobi through the rough terrain - thankfully without the physical effects of running a marathon myself! It meant the book transformed from so-so story about a runner, to can't-put-down story about a runner with an amazing little dog. The laughs and smiles began the moment Gobi appeared in the book - around page 40. I'm not usually a fan of such flashbacks, but Dion does this in a way that maintains the natural flow of the book. It seems I was drawn to Gobi in much the same way author, Dion Leonard, was drawn to becoming her owner!ĭion uses a combination of flashbacks to childhood and earlier life, while also following the ultra-marathon race which changed his life due to meeting Gobi.
This was the start of a journey neither of them would ever forget with a roller coaster ride of drama, grief, heartbreak, joy and love that changed their lives forever.įinding Gobi is the ultimate story of hope, of resilience and of friendship, proving once again, that dogs really are ‘man’s best friend.’Ĭonfession: I couldn’t say no to the cute little face staring at me from the front cover. Although Dion did not finish first, he felt he had won something far greater and promised to bring Gobi back to the UK for good to become a new addition to his family. In the past he had always focused on winning and being the best, but his goal now was simply to make sure that his new friend was safe, nourished and hydrated. The lovable pup, who earned the name ‘Gobi’, proved that what she lacked in size, she more than made up for in heart, as she went step for step with Dion over the treacherous Tian Shan Mountains, managing to keep pace with him for nearly 80 miles.Īs Dion witnessed the incredible determination of this small animal, he felt something change within himself.
In 2016, Dion Leonard, a seasoned ultramarathon runner, unexpectedly stumbled across a little stray dog while competing in a gruelling 155 mile race across the Gobi Desert. Like A Streecat Named Bob before it, Finding Gobi is a truly heart-warming story for animal lovers worldwide…
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