> Skip to content

Article  •  5 December 2016

 

Homeward bound

Meet some of the cast of Laura Greaves’ Incredible Dog Journeys.

In Incredible Dog Journeys, proud ‘crazy dog lady’ Laura Greaves pays tribute to sixteen remarkable canines. Meet Occy the astraphobic Staffordshire bull terrier who ran away in a storm; Sissy the miniature schnauzer whose midnight stroll made headline news all over the world; Rosie the poodle who undertook a journey both physical and spiritual; and so many more…

Straight from the pages of Incredible Dog Journeys, here’s a brief introduction to just three of these special dogs and their incredible true stories.

Into the Fire
Bonnie’s story

Photo: Captain Bronwyn Williams, Salvation Army

The heat was unbearable. The flames were still 300 metres away, but they advanced like a tidal wave, causing the old ute’s paint job to bubble and blister.

John stomped on the accelerator pedal and desperately twisted the key in the ignition. Finally, mercifully, the ute came growling to life. He clipped the gatepost as he sped out of the driveway and turned right into Sturt Road. It was a dead end, but he knew there was a farm at the end of the road that had a dam. John would plunge the car straight into it if he had to.

On the passenger seat his dog, Bonnie, was trembling. She didn’t know what was happening any more than John did. Was it a terrorist attack? Was somebody dropping bombs? Going by the roar that surrounded them, and the boom of distant explosions, anything seemed possible…

 

The Great Chopper Chase
Fergus’s story

It was supposed to be a new beginning; a fresh start for both a neglected, abandoned dog and a family still grieving the loss of their beloved pet. Instead, it was an impromptu journey that sparked ‘an eleven-day nightmare’ and ultimately proved that you don’t have to know someone a long time to know you’d do anything for them…

 

Run, Lu, Run!
Ludivine’s story

Elkmont, Alabama, is one of those blink-and-you’ll-miss-it kind of towns. Tucked away in the state’s leafy, undulating north, an hour’s drive from Alabama’s fourth-largest city, Huntsville, and a stone’s throw from the Tennessee state line, the tiny hamlet has just 450 residents. The downtown shopping strip boasts a total of six stores. It doesn’t even have a traffic light.

Though rich in natural beauty, until recently Elkmont was arguably best known as the home of 1930s country music pioneers The Delmore Brothers, NFL star Michael Boley, and the award-winning Belle Chevre artisanal goat cheese company.

But on 16 January 2016, everything changed. That was the day an inquisitive bloodhound called Ludivine went out for a walk and accidentally ran a half marathon – and Elkmont became headline news around the world…

Feature Title

Incredible Dog Journeys
Amazing true stories of dogs who found their way home.
Read more

More features

See all
Article
Everything you need to know about Penguin Noir 2025

Penguin Noir is back in 2025 with four events across Australia. Learn more and get your tickets here.

Article
The Spice is the Plot colouring pages

Get your free sample colouring pages from The Spice is the Plot.

Article
14 books to give instead of a card at baby showers

Going to a baby shower and want to give something more special than a card? Choose one of these books and write your heartfelt message inside!

Article
DK Catalogue 2025

Knowledge is adventure.

Article
Congratulations to the Penguin authors who made the Indie Book Awards Shortlist 2025

The Indie Book Awards Shortlist 2025 has been announced, and Penguin Random House Australia has four books on the list!

Article
A letter to readers from the author of The Favourites

Layne Fargo shares how she ended up writing a book that combines the spectacle of elite figure skating with the tempestuous romance of Wuthering Heights.

Article
Stephanie Alexander's reflection on her iconic cookbook The Cook's Companion

The Cook's Companion has established itself as the kitchen 'bible' in over half a million homes since it was first published.

Article
Dr Nick Fuller's healthy eating tips for the Christmas holidays

Leading obesity and health expert, Dr Nick Fuller, shares his tips on getting the whole family healthy this festive period.

Article
Some of the most anticipated books of 2025

Time to update your TBR for 2025.

Article
The top 10 Bluey books as chosen by readers

​This year we celebrated the five-year anniversary of the publication of the very first Bluey book, The Beach, and over 8 million Bluey books sold in total!

Article
QUIZ: Which Murakami book should you start with?

Never read Murakami and wondering where to begin? Take this fun quiz to figure out which book you should read first.

Article
Tim Winton’s Juice was everywhere in 2024

Australia went all out to celebrate the author’s first book in six years.

Looking for more articles?

See all articles
penguin pop image
penguin pop image