Finding Gobi

by Dion Leonard

Paperback, 2018

Status

Available

Call number

B Gob

Publication

HARPER COLLINS (2018)

Collection

Description

Biography & Autobiography. Pets. Sports & Recreations. Nonfiction. HTML: The New York Times bestselling true story of an Australian ultramarathon runner and a little dog who formed an unbreakable bond in the middle of the Gobi desert. Finding Gobi is the miraculous tale of Dion Leonard, a seasoned ultramarathon runner who crosses paths with a stray dog while competing in a 155-mile race through the Gobi Desert in China. The lovable pup, who would later earn the name Gobi, went step for step with Dion over the Tian Shan Mountains and across massive sand dunes, keeping pace with him for 77 miles. As Dion witnessed the incredible determination and heart of this small animal, he found his own heart undergoing a change as well. Whereas in the past these races were all about winning and being the best, his goal now was to make sure he and Gobi's friendship continued well after the finish line, and he undertook another difficult journey to bring Gobi home to Scotland. However, before he could take her home, Gobi went missing in the sprawling Chinese city where she was being kept. Dion, with the help of strangers and a viral outpouring of assistance on the internet, set out to track her down, and reunite with the dog that changed his life. Finding Gobi: Proves that miracles are possible�??anywhere and at any time Gives vivid details of an ultra-marathon and what it's like to run one of the toughest races on the planet Connects to that special bond that humankind has with dogs and what it can open up in our hearts Read this inspiring story and discover how miracles truly are possible�??and find your own heart changing as well… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member billsearth
I would label this book a memoir of a runner through midlife, with emphasis on a stray dog he encounters.
The author combines his story with the story of a stray dog the he eventually adopts.
His story is of growing up as a rejected child during the age of 10 to 15, and somewhat lost and drifting
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from then forward.
The dogs story is of a stray with a strong personality who attaches immediately to one of a hundred runners crossing the Gobi desert.

Together the two build strong bonds, the man's feeling of being uncared for dissipates, and the dog becomes family.

The last integral component of the story is the difficulty in bringing a stray dog from China to England.

There is a minor story of finding the dog after a mix of undependable and selfish people interfere with the effort to bring the dog home, causing a major search by some dependable people, and revealing the good of the Chinese people and the mixed characteristics of the Chinese government.

This is a good read fro those who enjoy the complexities of human nature and the good personality traits of most dogs.
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LibraryThing member clamato
Loving it and Gobi!!
LibraryThing member MaggieFlo
This story would have been a good article in a magazine. It is not interesting enough to warrant a full length book.
Dion Leonard is an ultra marathoner, originally from Australia and currently living in Edinburgh. The story is about his race in the Gobi desert in China and how a little blond brown
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dog follows him for the duration. Sometimes Gobi ran, others times she was transported by car.
At the end of the race, Dion decides that he will bring the dog back to Edinburgh. The rest of the story deals with GobiI going missing, Dion and friends launching a crowd funding campaign, dealing with the Chinese bureaucracy, immigration, language issues and finally success.
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LibraryThing member jhullie
It's 4am and I just finished this book. A beautiful story of doggy devotion and perseverance. Dion's determination to save his little friend and to give her a forever home is inspirational. If you love dogs you absolutely must read this.
LibraryThing member sraelling
I learned a lot about ultra marathons.
LibraryThing member parvita
Anyone who love dogs should read this book. It tells how loyal and dependant dogs are and how big their love are. I am a triathlete, I have three adopted dogs and one was a stray. Two are my running buddies. I couldn’t put the book down just curious how it will end.
LibraryThing member True54Blue
This is the story of Dion Leonard who finds his salvation in Gobi a cute little mutt who chose him while he was running across the Gobi desert. I'm still trying to decide if Dion is afflicted with cynophilia or cynomania but it's clear he has a thing for Gobi. You'll learn something about running
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ultramarathons and a little about finding lost dogs in China. You'll learn a lot about what it means to be obsessed over a cute four-legged friend.
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LibraryThing member HeatherLINC
While I found the descriptions of Deon's marathons rather boring, I did admire his determination to save Gobi from a life as a little stray in China. Gobi's story was touching and I loved how so many people, worldwide, supported Deon's efforts through social media. Gobi's journey wasn't an easy
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one, but thanks to the generosity of strangers, and her tenacious spirit, she finally found love, peace and her forever home. A sweet story.
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LibraryThing member Daftboy1
This is a feel good book.
Dion Leonard is an ultra runner as he runs through the Gobi desert he meets a little mongrel dog he calls her Gobi.
She runs with him,stays in his tent. They both grow attached to each other.
After the race he wants to adopt her and take her back home to Scotland, there is a
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lot of red tape she goes missing.
Eventually he manages to take her back to Edinburgh. Nice heart warming story.
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LibraryThing member Smits
This is quite an amazing true story. It is one of those feel good stories. It is told honestly and straightforwardly. I really like Dion Leonard and also learned a lot about the how and really the WHY someone runs in these long distance brutal races through deserts etc. Then to hear how Gobi just
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attaches himself to Dion and how Dion takes in this little dog with the big heart. Next the battle to help Gobi come to live with Dion in Scotland. A great read.!!!
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LibraryThing member Narilka
Finding Gobi is the story about how ultra-marathon runner, Dion Leonard, met a stray dog while competing on a race through China's Gobi Desert. The pup won the hearts of everyone who was part of the race, participants and staff alike. Dion knew he couldn't leave her behind - he somehow had to find
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a way to take her home with him to Scotland.

This story was so heartwarming. Gobi is an amazing dog. She completed the equivalent of two marathons as she ran to keep up with Dion during the race. She's lucky everyone involved had a kind heart. It's amazing how many people volunteered to help get this little dog to her new home, even when it looked like she might not make it. The story helped restore a little of my faith in humanity.
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LibraryThing member EllenH
This is the Trempealeau County Reads title for the year. I enjoyed this story of Gobi choosing Dion in the race in China and the search for her when she goes missing. Searching in China for a dog involves language, political and emotional support for Dion in ways I hadn't thought of. She captured
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my heart. Too bad the Coronavirus may prevent any of the planned events surrounding this.
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Awards

Language

Original language

English

Original publication date

2017

Physical description

259 p.; 5.08 inches

ISBN

9780008227968

Barcode

2469

Library's rating

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