STANDARDS

CCSS: 3.OA.A.3

TEKS: 3.5B

GRAPHIC NOVEL

The Amazing Journey of a Wonder Dog

A lost pet walked more than 2,500 miles to return to his family. Multiply with arrays to learn more about his adventure.

December 2021 / January 2022

By Jessica McKenna-Ratjen | Illustrated by Courtney Huddleston

Illustration of parents getting in their car while their kids say goodbye

August 1923: Frank and Elizabeth Brazier were taking their dog on a road trip from Oregon to Indiana.

Illustration of a specific route on the map of America

It’s a very long drive from Silverton, Oregon, to Wolcott, Indiana. Bobbie and his family crossed mountains, plains, and rivers.

1. The Braziers drove through 9 states. Draw an array that represents this number as a product.

Illustration of dogs with a person at a gas station

When they arrived . . .

2. How many groups of pumps are at the gas station?

3. Write and solve an equation for the total number of pumps.

. . . the local dogs weren’t very friendly.

Illustration of people putting up posters of their missing dog

Bobbie’s family searched for him everywhere.

4. Write and solve an equation for the number of posters shown on the wall.

After three days, Bobbie was nowhere to be found. With great sadness, Frank and Elizabeth headed home to Oregon.

Illustration of a dog sniffing the ground

Eventually, Bobbie came back to the gas station. But his family had already left!

Illustration of a kid finding a dog on his family farm

Bobbie found places to eat and rest along the way.
But he never stayed in one place for long.

5. Write and solve a multiplication equation to match the array of eggs in the basket.

Illustration of a dog swimming in a river

Bobbie crossed rivers, plains, and mountains.

6. Write and solve an equation for the array of rocks in the river.

Illustration of dog walking through a field

7. Write and solve a multiplication equation for the number of flowers Bobbie passed.

Illustration of dog climbing snowy mountain

Then 6 months later . . .

8. Write and solve an equation to match the array of mountains.

Illustration of dog finding its way back to its family

Illustration of owners reuniting with their dog

Bobbie made it home! He traveled more than 2,550 miles on his own to return to his family.

9. Write and solve an equation for the number of stacked mugs on the table.

Illustration of kids pulling pets in wagons

News of Bobbie’s incredible journey spread throughout the country. The people of Silverton threw Bobbie a parade to celebrate his homecoming. He became known as “The Wonder Dog.”

10. Write and solve an equation to represent the array of marchers with wagons in the parade.

DID YOU KNOW?

Silverton still holds a Pet Parade in honor of Bobbie every year!

Bobbie’s Tale on the Big Screen

Bobbie the Wonder Dogʼs remarkable journey made national news. People celebrated Bobbie with parades, ceremonies, and medals. He even had a starring role in a film about himself! Bobbie’s journey inspired several popular movies and TV shows, including:

Courtesy Everett Collection (The Incredible Journey, Lassie Come Home); © Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection (Milo and Otis)

Audio for The Amazing Journey of a Wonder Dog

Listen to the read aloud audio for this article.

A History of Pets

Watch a video about how animals have been kept as pets throughout history.

Multiplication Diagrams (MATH VIDEO)

Watch a math helper video about how to multiply whole numbers using visual models.

Multiplication with Arrays

Multiplication allows you to add the same number to itself multiple times. An array is one way to model multiplication.

Example

There are 2 groups of students. Each group has 3 students. How many total students are there?

You can use this array to write an equation and solve: 2 × 3 = 6 students.

Falling Arrays

Play a fun math game with multiplication arrays.

Continue Your Learning

Play the game “Falling Arrays” (above) to practice multiplying whole numbers.
Rewatch the video “The History of Pets” (above). Then imagine if Bobbie hadn’t been a dog, but one of the other animals mentioned in the video! Write a short story about what would have happened if Bobbie had been a different animal. How might a cat, fish, or python have found its way home? Include at least 3 number details in your story.
Play a multiplication array game! Find a standard deck of playing cards or label a set of note cards with the numbers 1 through 13. (Note: If you are using a standard deck, aces = 1, jacks = 11, queens = 12, and kings = 13.) Select 2 cards from the deck. Multiply your numbers to find the product. Then draw an array to represent the product. Take turns playing with a friend or family member!

Number & Operations

Whole Number Multiplication

Teaching Resources

videos (1)

Article (1)

Text-to-Speech