Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle

Nubs is a true story about an Iraqi dog who forms a connection with U.S. Marine Major Brian Dennis during his deployment. The wild dog, who had his ears cut off as a puppy, lives among a pack near an Iraqi border fort where Dennis and his unit conduct operations. Major Dennis feeds and cares for Nubs during his visits to the fort, but military rules prevent him from keeping the dog at his base. When circumstances separate them, Nubs undertakes an incredible journey across the desert to find Dennis. The book uses photographs and straightforward text to document this real-life story of loyalty and determination. Dennis and his fellow Marines provide firsthand accounts and images that track the developing bond between soldier and dog. This narrative explores themes of friendship, trust, and the unexpected connections that can form even in the harshest environments. The story demonstrates how compassion can transcend barriers of species, culture, and circumstance.

Readers connect emotionally with this true story of friendship between a Marine and a stray dog in Iraq. Parents and teachers note the book helps children understand military service while focusing on a hopeful narrative. Readers appreciated: - Clear, straightforward telling of events - Photos documenting the real story - Messages about determination and loyalty - Age-appropriate handling of war-related content - Value for teaching empathy Common criticisms: - Brief length for the price point - Some wanted more details about Nubs' backstory - A few found the photo layout confusing Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (580+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.8/5 (40+ ratings) "Perfect for teaching children about perseverance," wrote one teacher reviewer. A military parent noted: "This book helped my kids understand what deployment means through a story they could relate to."

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🎖️ Author Kirby Larson first learned about Nubs when she saw a segment about him on NBC Nightly News, inspiring her to share this remarkable story with young readers. 🐾 The real Nubs was an Iraqi dog who survived having his ears cut off (thus his name) and lived as a wild dog in the desert before bonding with Marine Major Brian Dennis. 🏜️ Nubs traveled 70 miles through the harsh Iraqi desert during winter to find Major Dennis after his unit relocated to a different base. 📸 The book features actual photographs taken by Major Dennis and other Marines during their time with Nubs in Iraq, making it a true documentary-style narrative. 🏡 After a successful fundraising effort that collected over $6,000, Nubs was transported from Iraq to San Diego, where he lived with Major Dennis until his passing in 2016.