Author: Brian Dennis, Mary Nethery, and Kirby Larson
Friendships are as unique as the individuals who share them. While some friends will stick by your side, others will literally go the extra mile, sometimes dozens of them, for you. Such is the case for Nubs, a stray dog from Iraq, and his best friend, Major Brian Dennis, a U.S. Marine. When Brian and his comrades stumbled upon Nubs and his pack, Nubs immediately sensed that he had found his person. Despite rough beginnings and a rocky journey, neither of them gave up on one another, which led to a beautiful and unexpected friendship.
Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle, written by Brian Dennis, Mary Nethery, and Kirby Larson, follows the incredible journey of Nubs from his first meeting with Brian to finding his new furever home. After Nubs makes a 70-mile trek across the snowy desert to reunite with his companion, their future together is sealed. An inspiring true story of how small acts of care can lead to life-changing bonds and the extraordinary loyalty that can grow between beings, this book shines a light on the power of humanity.
Extend your Learning:
Ask Questions:
Use these comprehension questions with your kids or students to build their literacy skills!
- How did Nubs get his name?
- What did Brian and his team do for Nubs the second time they saw him?
- What was the bad news Brian was given regarding Nubs? What did he and his friends do about it?
- Where did Nubs end up living by the end of the story?
- How might this story have been different if Nubs had not made the journey?
- Can you think about a time when you felt loyal to someone or something?
Discover More:
- To learn more about Nubs and Brian’s story, check out these interviews:
Create:
Create a Friendship Tree
- This activity promotes reflection on meaningful relationships in one’s life and helps to make connections between actions of friendship and loyalty.
- What you will need: White construction paper, paint or a picture of friend(s), markers.
- What you will be doing: On a piece of paper, draw a tree with as many branches as you would like. Then, place a picture or a fingerprint somewhere on one of the branches. Next to the picture or fingerprint, write the name of a friend or family member and how that person demonstrates friendship and loyalty to you. Feel free to make one with a group of people to make it even bigger!
Explore Your Local Library:
If you are one of our central Ohio neighbors, check out the book at your local branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library where the book is available. Then come to the NVMM and learn more about unique Veteran stories that can be found throughout American History.
