A Discussion Guide for Schools by the Author

Characters

Ralph is a Mongrel - a mixture of dog breeds. His face is badly scarred and no one wants him.

Questions about Ralph

1. How did Ralph’s face become so badly injured?

2. Who are his two best friends and why?

3. Ralph is a mixture of three dog breeds. Can you name the breeds?

4. What does Ralph do to make visitors to Happy Paws like him more?

5. If he can get out of Happy Paws, what is Ralph’s dream and why?

Bessie is a Border Collie - the smartest dog breed in the world.

Questions about Bessie

1. Why can’t Bessie bear to be touched or stroked by people?

2. What written warning is above Bessie’s kennel?

3. Which two puppies does she take a special liking to?

4. For what kind of work were border collies originally bred?

5. Can you find out the top 5 smartest dog breeds in the world?

Mitch is a Jack Russell. He’s a joker and he loves racing around.

Questions about Mitch

1. Why does Mitch keep on ending up back at Happy Paws?

2. Who is the cat at Happy Paws Mitch dislikes the most?

3. Who is Mitch’s pup friend who fails the cat test?

Fred is a Bulldog. He’s old and sad and he doesn’t like puppies.

Questions about Fred

1. How long has Fred been stuck at Happy Paws?

2. Why does he dislike puppies so much?

3. Who comes to Happy Paws to take him home?

Thor is a Cross-Breed. He’s huge and dark and was bred for fighting.

Questions about Thor

1. Why does Thor scare the other dogs so much?

2. What is Thor really like and how does Zena the puppy show us this?

3. Which other dog does Thor end up defending at Happy Paws?

4. Why does Vicky end up taking Thor home?

What breed of dog is Krinkle Krieger?

Why does Paulo drive all the other dogs crazy?

Why do you think Bessie likes Jimbo so much?

Why does Ravi fail the cat test?

How does Cleo end up at Happy Paws?

• Why does Olivia make it so hard for dogs in the cat test?

Setting

GOING HOME is entirely set in the Happy Paws Dog Rescue Centre.

• There are hundreds of centres taking care of abandoned dogs and cats around the country.

Many are run by volunteers who are paid nothing for their time.

About 100,000 dogs are left on the streets or in dogs’ homes every year in the UK.

Writing Exercise 1

Imagine your family visiting a rescue centre to look at the dogs.

Write a story that describes the different dogs you see at the kennels.

Writing Exercise 2

Imagine choosing one particular dog and how that dog reacts when you take it home.