Werewolf

The True Story of an Extraordinary Police Dog

By: David Alton Hedges

Narrated by: Michael Puttonen

WEREWOLF: The True Story of an Extraordinary Police Dog is the raw, first-hand account of the life of a police K9 named Brag and his cop partner. When they first meet, Brag shows no interest in human attachment and his handler is wary of caring too much for a dog whose life he must risk every night. But as the dangerous manhunts push both to their mental and physical limits, the two develop an unbreakable bond that blurs the line between human and canine.

Anyone who has ever loved a dog will embrace this heartfelt story of courage and loyalty!

©2021 David Alton Hedges (P)2024 Post Hypnotic Press Inc.

Werewolf

I knew as soon as I came across this book that I would definitely read it. I also knew that while I would probably really enjoy it (I love stories about amazing working dogs), I also knew that it was going to break my heart and leave me a crying mess. I was not wrong. The ending did me in.

K9 officer Brag acquired his nickname “Werewolf” during K9 training. Suffice it to say, it suited his presence and demeaner. From the get-go, Brag and his partner, officer David Hodge, didn’t like or trust each other and struggled mercilessly during training. It wasn’t until they were out on the streets, for a while, that they forged their bond, one that would last a lifetime, for both of them.

David and Brag patrolled and protected the streets of Santa Barbara, CA that most of the millions of tourists (that visit every year) never see. They take down the gang bangers, thieves, killers, and every other kind of scum bag that made the mistake of committing crimes in Santa Barbara. I loved all of the stories of David’s and Brag’s, take-downs, exploits and accomplishments. I was also kind of shocked by the statistic of the mortality of police dogs: 110 US police dogs died in the line of duty over a 10yr period. That 110 was spread out over about 10 different causes of death.

I listened to the audiobook and it felt like I was sitting with David while he reminisced of his time with Brag. As with all non-fiction books I read, I rate it simply on the info provided and the manner in which it was provided. This was definitely a 5star read. I want to thank NetGalley and Post Hypnotic Press Audiobooks for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley # Post Hypnotic Press Audiobooks #Werewolf

A K9 for the ages

This is a story for all dog lovers and any K9 handler. It is a story where a handler is told the secret of using a K9 and finally learns to use it. Brag started out to be a beloved family dog but when death hits the house Brag was lovingly given a new purpose in life, to be a police K9 and a great one at that. This book also touches on other the K9's in the unit. But as handler and K9 become a team the handler struggles over what he would do if he ever had to send Brag into a potentially dangerous situation, after all they are partners now, with the greatest of bonds.

Great Book!

I really enjoyed this book called Werewolf! It follows the story of David, a police officer and his police K9 named Brag. The book details their time together and goes through phases from training to on duty. It was an interesting story and gave a behind the scenes look at the life of a working dog! If you like dogs then you will enjoy this book! I also liked the voice narrator of the audiobook!

Brave dog

I became engaged after chapter one. Great story of an alpha dog trained as he was bred for

Great story

This was a great story of a handler, his dog, and the sacrifices officers take especially in a specialty unit. I highly recommend this book.

Excellent depiction of partnering with a K9

Werewolf by David Alton Hedges is an excellent heartfelt true story about an exceptional but a bit scary police dog. The dog's real name was Brag, but quickly got the nickname “Werewolf” by fellow officers. Brag and his partner Officer Hedges were reluctant to get too attached to one another but by mutual respect and many successful cases, an unbreakable bond developed. What a great story. I feel I got a lot more out of the audio than I would have from the book but that could be just me. The narration was done very well you could feel the frustration of a moment and the elation of an accomplishment. That was why I like an audio if done well The insights of working with a K9 and learning to trust each other were very interesting and informative. I would recommend this book to all.

An unforgettable account from start to finish

I just finished listening to Werewolf and what a ride this story is! I have been waiting for an Audible version so that I could finally experience this for myself.
I was engrossed the entire time, listening to the author’s experiences of his work in law enforcement and how it evolved through time into a union with a K9 partner named Brag. David takes you on a ride with heartfelt observations of not only his dog, but of his emotions and experiences fighting crime, being a father and learning to love a complicated animal that has as much character as any person could have. I cried, I laughed and then I cried some more. All in all, I finished this book with a deeper understanding of the complexities of fighting for peace while keeping a kind and un-jaded heart in the process. This is a very beautiful and poetically-written memoir of his life as a police officer and how it changed when the a big juvenile German Shepherd enters his life and changes his trajectory in ways I’m sure he will never forget. I, for one, will not forget this story. It is powerfully written and heartfelt and the narrator did a beautiful job honoring the spirit of it all.

Beautifully written story about an amazing friendship and a life of service

Full disclosure: I am a cop who worked with Brag and his human partner. That being said, I loved this book, period. I remember many of the cases and know all the locations. I enjoyed hearing about them from the perspective of the K-9 handler. What I loved most is Officer Hedges’ writing and the beautiful way he describes the relationship and the love for each other that he and Brag shared. He also absolutely nails it when describing the life of a police officer and the culture within the department. Well done my friend and thank you!

BRAG! Worth the listen!

If you love dogs, especially k9 police dogs, you will love it! Interesting. It was like story after story.