Gary Paulsen, renowned for his compelling fiction that often intertwines with the natural world and humor, truly shines in My Life in Dog Years as he shares his authentic experiences living alongside both wild and domesticated animals. This collection offers a profound look into a life rich with extraordinary encounters, from his childhood abroad to overcoming the harsh realities of parental abuse that led him to leave home at fourteen and join a traveling carnival. Paulsen’s diverse life experiences, including military service, participating in the Iditarod sled dog race, living in various remote locations, and his award-winning young adult literature, all inform the vibrant narratives within this book. His animal-focused stories are particularly exceptional, revealing lessons learned from both wildlife and his beloved pets.
In My Life in Dog Years, Paulsen invites readers into his world, chronicling his adventurous life through the lens of his canine companions. While he notes in the dedication that his sled dogs are featured in other works like Puppies, Dogs, and Blue Northers: Reflections on Being Raised by a Pack of Sled Dogs and Woodsong, this book focuses on other significant dogs. However, he begins with a powerful anecdote about Cookie, a sled dog central to Puppies, Dogs, and Blue Northers. Paulsen recounts an incident in January 1980 where he fell through thin ice into frigid water during an extreme cold snap. Cookie’s quick thinking and command of the other dogs to pull him to safety by his rope were instrumental in his survival, preventing hypothermia. This heroic act, Paulsen suggests, was crucial for the creation of his three Newbery Honor books and numerous other iconic works. Cookie’s bravery underscores the profound impact animals can have on our lives and careers, a theme that resonates throughout the book.
Paulsen’s narrative transports readers to the Philippines in the 1940s, where a seven-year-old Gary, whose father was stationed there with the army, adopted a black puppy named Snowball. His early years were marked by a significant detachment from home, with much of his time spent exploring neighborhoods with Snowball. During this period, he witnessed the harsh realities of World War II’s impact on impoverished communities, often sharing food from his home with those in need. Snowball proved to be more than a pet; she was a protector, once saving Paulsen from a venomous snake by seizing and killing it. In the absence of parental attentiveness, Snowball served as a maternal figure, rarely leaving his side. Paulsen’s deep attachment to Snowball was evident in his parents’ efforts to bring her back to America, a plan tragically thwarted. Snowball remains a poignant memory as Paulsen’s first dog, a testament to the enduring emotions of early companionship.
As Paulsen grew, his home life became increasingly challenging due to his parents’ struggles with alcoholism. He found solace in the woods of Twin Forks, Minnesota, where he would hunt with his .22 rifle. His solitary excursions changed when he encountered Ike, a large black Labrador who also seemed to be wandering alone. This marked the beginning of a nightly hunting partnership, with Ike proving to be the more skilled retriever. Paulsen often found himself making lighthearted excuses to Ike for his missed shots, adding a touch of humor to their bond. One evening, Ike failed to appear for their usual rendezvous, and Paulsen never saw him again. It would be thirty years before he learned Ike’s fate, a revelation that the author describes as a deeply moving epilogue.
The increasing darkness of his home life as a teenager led Paulsen to spend nearly all his time on the streets, often sleeping in the basement of his family’s apartment building. To support himself, he worked as a pinsetter at a bowling alley, a physically demanding job he details in other writings. The street life presented dangers, particularly from older teenagers who would rob younger, solitary kids. Paulsen became a victim of these assaults, struggling to find support from the police. His life took a turn when he discovered a scruffy, snarling street dog under a staircase. Initially feeding the dog, whom he named Dirk, more out of self-preservation than kindness, Paulsen soon found a protector. Dirk began following Paulsen, and on one occasion, intervened when a group of thugs harassed him, driving them away. Dirk then accompanied Paulsen home, becoming a comforting presence in the basement. With Dirk by his side, the street robberies ceased, as the dog acted as a formidable deterrent. Dirk remained with Paulsen until the summer, when they both took on farm work. Though their time together was ultimately short, their parting was amicable, marking a hopeful conclusion to a story about a boy finding salvation through a loyal canine companion.
Paulsen’s work on farms provided him with extensive experience with collies, recognizing their inherent intelligence and loyalty. One dog, Rex, particularly stood out for his diligent work ethic, instinctively herding livestock with remarkable precision, even without formal training. Rex’s dedication to his duties exemplified a strong sense of purpose. Later, as a grown man living in the Colorado mountains with his wife, Ruth Wright Paulsen, he adopted Caesar, a towering Great Dane. Caesar’s immense size and strength, capable of causing significant disruption with ease, presented unique challenges. After an initial period of deep mourning for his previous owner, Caesar re-engaged with life, leading to a series of humorous incidents involving delivery personnel, Paulsen’s cat Arnie, and trick-or-treaters. A memorable event involved Caesar at a local picnic, where his affectionate demeanor charmed the children, despite his notorious weakness for hot dogs leading to a momentary loss of composure.
Another instance of Paulsen’s compassion for unwanted dogs involved Fred, a half-Lab puppy he acquired for five dollars. Fred, though not large, possessed an equal capacity for mischief as Caesar. He formed a close bond with Paulsen’s pig, aptly named Pig, and they often shared meals from the pig’s trough. Paulsen indulged them with scraps, but Pig eventually devised a plan to access the garden by knocking over the fence. Paulsen responded by installing an electrified fence, underestimating Fred’s determination to visit Pig for their shared meals, which led to a memorable confrontation between Fred and the fence.
Paulsen’s participation in the Iditarod race was made possible by the support of his friends and neighbors. On his journey to Alaska, he encountered Quincy, a dog whose unpredictable nature made him a unique companion. Quincy displayed remarkable intelligence, often assessing outdoor animals from the car to decide if they warranted a bark. Quincy eventually became Mrs. Paulsen’s dog, and his most significant act of bravery occurred when he defended her from a charging bear that had approached her while she was gardening. Quincy’s swift intervention, biting at the bear until Mrs. Paulsen could regain her footing, likely saved her life and earned him a place of honor in Paulsen’s recollections.
The book concludes with Josh, a Border Collie who was Paulsen’s companion at the time of writing. Paulsen posits that Josh possesses a level of resourcefulness, intelligence, and selflessness comparable to that of a human. Josh came to Paulsen from a woman who found him to be unruly, but Paulsen readily accepted him. Like Quincy, Josh learned rapidly, even grasping complex survival skills that took Paulsen himself considerable time to acquire. Josh consistently anticipated Paulsen’s needs with remarkable accuracy. A particularly cherished memory involves riding horses in the Bighorn Mountains with Josh running faithfully alongside. Although heart conditions had led Paulsen to cease dogsledding, riding horses provided solace, and the experience was amplified by Josh’s presence. Despite Josh being elderly when the book was written, the enduring image of him leading the horses remains a powerful and lovingly captured parting scene.
While some of Gary Paulsen’s memoirs delve deeper into emotional and philosophical reflections, My Life in Dog Years offers a distinct yet equally impactful message. The book subtly conveys that the people—and animals—who profoundly shape our lives often do so in unexpected ways. Relationships can evolve from immediate affection or initial dislike to deep bonds over time. Some individuals may serve an indispensable function in our lives without becoming close friends. We express ourselves differently with different companions, and our understanding of these relationships often deepens in retrospect. Paulsen’s experiences with his dogs highlight the enduring influence of loved ones, even after they are gone, emphasizing how they contribute to shaping who we become. My Life in Dog Years serves as a profound reminder of the wonder and complexity inherent in the connections we forge, celebrating a life enriched by the unwavering loyalty and companionship of dogs.
