Friendship is a precious gift, and pint-sized Dumpy Ling, a Chinese dachshund, understands how to recognize it, cultivate it, and encourage it to bloom. 

From outside Mrs. Shoo's garden in the Golden Hoot Jungle of China, the cast of characters in The Chinese Sausage Dog, the Panicky Porcupine and Mrs. Shoo seem like an odd and dissimilar bunch. But from inside the gates of Mrs. Shoo's garden, you will see many expressions of thoughtfulness and generosity: a little kindness here, a little compassion there, and a warm and helping hand everywhere. Porky the porcupine is lost and frightened. Dumpy Ling, a doting dachshund, not only pledges to help him find his way home, but invites his trusted pal Campi, a super-sleuth retriever, to help them. Along the way, Dumpy Ling, Porky, Campi, and Mrs. Shoo discover praiseworthy qualities in themselves and their companions. Will Porky ever find his way home? And if he does, will "home" ever feel the same to him again?

About the Author

Nuala Illek lived in China for eight years, where the company of her loyal dachshund, Shelly, became her inspiration for this book. Nuala teaches German and English and is working on her Master's degree in Literature at University College, Cork. She grew up in Cork, Ireland, where she currently resides with her husband, two children, and two dogs.