Life as an embassy dog isn’t a stroll in the park. JR, a bright-eyed Jack Russell terrier, stars as the curious narrator in The Metro Dogs of Moscow by Rachelle Delaney. The book follows a fearless canine who belongs to George, a diplomat who hops from posting to posting around the world. George travels constantly for work, and JR goes along for the ride, forever hoping to turn ordinary days into small adventures. While the Canadian Embassy keeps him surrounded by orderly lawns, polished pooches, and a sense of duty, JR longs for something wilder. So when the chance to explore Moscow arrives, he slips away from the gates and sets off on his own. The city beckons with its clattering subway cars, bakery smells, and a maze of alleyways that promise mischief. On his journey, JR encounters a chorus of street dogs who know every shortcut and every secret corner of Moscow. Along the way, he meets Katerina, a bold stray who becomes a kindred spirit in this big, bustling adventure. In a city of glittering domes and crowded streets, JR discovers that the world outside the embassy walls can feel like an open invitation to live life in full color.
Seeking action beyond the predictable routine of polished floors and polite nods, JR slips away from the embassy grounds and dives into Moscow’s rhythm. He zips through metro tunnels, rides gleaming trains, and follows the city’s many scents—from fresh bread at dawn to smoky café air and the tang of river breeze. The world outside is a carnival of sounds, textures, and faces. JR chats with a lively cast of Russian strays, each with a story as sharp as a passport stamp. Some are streetwise survivors; others are shy and wary, but all of them teach him something about the city’s heartbeat. In the company of Katerina, a street-smart dog with a mischievous streak, JR learns to read the signs of danger and trust his own instincts. Their partnership turns every sidewalk into a map and every corner into a clue. Moscow becomes a sprawling playground and a proving ground, a place where loyalty and curiosity can collide in the most unexpected ways.
Trouble lurks when several of JR’s new friends vanish without a trace. The search for answers unspools across train stations, markets, and hidden courtyards, as JR follows a trail of clues that only a nose like his could detect. Each hint threads him closer to a culprit who might be hiding behind a friendly face. The mystery pushes JR to question assumptions and to act with courage even when the path seems uncertain. Clues point to a pattern that forces him to weigh risk against loyalty, and to decide whether a set of hard-won friendships is worth the risk of exposing a bigger danger. As the web loosens and the city reveals its secrets, JR pieces the puzzle together, drawing on instinct, memory, and the trust he’s built with Katerina and the other street dogs. The chase becomes less about fame and more about protecting the companions who shared the journey from the very start.
If you’re a fan of fun, fast-paced reads, this book delivers. It blends brisk mystery-solving with a vivid sense of place, letting readers feel the pulse of Moscow as if they were walking beside JR. The story will resonate with junior and adult readers alike, especially those who adore animals, clever detections, and a touch of humor. For North American audiences in Canada and the United States, the tale lands with a clear sense of character, heart, and adventure that travels well across borders. The voice stays bright and energetic, painting subway cars, markets, and sunlit squares with playful detail while never losing sight of the mystery at the core. JR’s roaming spirit invites readers to notice the little things—the pawprints, the hints in the chatter, the way a city can bend to a determined friend on four legs. And if the ending feels satisfying, it’s because the author keeps the stakes personal, warm, and hopeful.
In the meantime, take the quiz and find out which Metro Dog you are! Then maybe you’ll discover your own city-based adventures waiting around the next corner.