Hang on, Mooch (Formac First Novels)

Carl's old dog Mooch is losing her memory and wandering away from home--four times in the last two weeks alone. Each time, Carl and his best friend Gary have tracked her down, but this time the dogcatcher has got her. When they go to fetch Mooch at the pound--among the poodles and dachshunds, pit bulls and mutts--she's sicker and sadder than they've ever seen her before. As Mooch gets weaker and weaker Carl and Gary have to face that she'll soon be gone--but not before Mooch gives them one more gift. Hang on, Mooch! is a touching story about the inevitability of loss, and how young people can learn from it and grow.