The Basics
Who is the author of this story?
Dennis Fertig
Who are the main characters in this story?
Major Brain Dennis and Nubs.
Read the sentence in the text that you find the word futile.
Soon, though, the chase seemed futile, and all the dogs gave up except one - Nubs.
How did Dennis first form a bond with Nubs?
Dennis approached the dog slowly and held out his hand, that evening Dennis shared his meal with the dog.
How did the Marines first encounter the dogs?
When the Humvees stopped, the dogs rushed toward the Marines, yapping and begging for food.
Is the story based on real events? What is the word you would use to describe that?
Yes; nonfiction
What is Brian Dennis's job?
He is a Major in the Marines.
What does headquarters mean?
A building occupied by military commander and the commander's staff.
Why did Dennis think Nubs ears were cut?
Dennis guessed that someone had hoped to train the dog to fight and had cut his ears off so other dogs couldn't grab onto them during a fight.
Why did Dennis worry about Nubs when he would leave each outpost?
Existing in the desert was harsh, and there were certainly no guarantees that Nubs would survive any given day.
What point-of-view is the story told from?
Third-person
How many people were in the Major's team?
10
Put the word regulation(s) in a sentence.
Answers will vary but need to include something about rules or laws.
Where does Nubs live now?
San Diego, California
Why did Dennis think he would never see the dog again after his first encounter with him? But what happened instead?
Dennis and his team had to get into their Humvees to check out another Iraq outpost. The pack of dogs chased the vehicles, all the dogs gave up except Nubs.
How many paragraphs are in the story?
16
Describe what Nubs appearance looks like. 3 details
Nubs appeared a bit like a German shepherd, but there was clearly a mix of other breads, too. The dog only had fur where the ears should have been.
Use the word forged in a sentence.
Answers will vary but need to include the idea of, formed by careful effort.
What happened in December 2007?
Dennis unit returned to Nubs's outpost. The major was shocked when he saw Nubs shivering in the cold.
What was likely the cause of Nubs injury?
Nubs had a deep gash in his side that wasn't caused by another dog but by a human with a screwdriver.
Where is the setting of this story?
The dessert of Iraq.
What did the Marine Medic do in the story? How did it impact the story?
The Marine Medic patched up Nubs. Thanks to the medic Nubs survived.
What does it mean to "bend the rules"?
To slightly disregard or adjust rules, often in a way that is considered unimportant or not harmful.
What was the Commanding officers order for Nubs and what was the likely outcome from that order?
Commanding officers ordered Nubs out of headquarters. That meant sending Nubs back into the desert alone, probably to die.
How long did it take to raise money for Nubs?
In just a few days.