The Fast and the Furriest

By: Andy Behrens

Narrated by: Sean Runnette

Meet Kevin Pugh, 12-year-old couch potato. Now meet Cromwell, his part beagle, part potato chip dog. Kevin’s looking forward to spending his summer doing as little as possible. Unfortunately, Kevin’s father, former Chicago Bears star player/super-sports fanatic, Howie Pugh, feels differently. So does Cromwell, who has suddenly and mysteriously developed a fascination with agility competitions: running up seesaws, leaping over hurdles, soaring through hoops (sometimes). If he has to do anything, Kevin would rather do something for newly obsessed Cromwell, but dog agility lessons do not constitute a sport in his father’s mind, so football camp it is. Until some well-timed events collide, literally, and soon Kevin’s found a way for he and Cromwell to take classes, and the upstart Team Cromwell is born.

Andy Behrens has written a hilarious novel with a dry-as-dirt protagonist who’s constantly tortured by the goings-on around him. It’s also a charming story about a boy and his dog, as well as a meaningful and heartfelt look at a relationship between a boy and his father who don’t always see eye-to-eye.

I have a Cromwell. His name is Walter.

This was a fun listen with my 10-year-old daughter. It was made even more enjoyable by the fact that we have a beagle and it was easy to imagine him (Walter) in the role of Cromwell. The narrator was excellent and did an especially good job with Howie and Elka. This is not great literature but it didn't need to be.

Cute Story!!!!

I enjoyed this young adult book. I found myself engaged in the agility tests and rooting for Cromwell and Kevin. The author did a nice job portraying and developing the family relationships. And come on, who can't like a book about a formerly lazy beagle!?!??!? Although I do have to admit, I don't think I can ever imagine my beagle deciding that he preferred excercise to food!!!!