Writer:

Dion Leonard (born Sydney, Australia, 2 January 1975)  is an Australian/British endurance athlete and ultramarathon runner, Motivational speaker, and author of New York Times Bestseller Finding Gobi, the non fiction memoir of his story of his dog, Gobi, who ran 77 miles of a 155-mile race across the Gobi Desert. Leonard who grew up in Warwick, Queensland before moving to the U.K. started running in 2013 and has already achieved numerous top 10 finishes (including wins) in ultra races around the world in the most extreme conditions. Leonard has not only competed in but completed some of the worlds toughest ultra running races across the most inhospitable landscapes. (r.3)

Story:

The amazing true story of a man and a little dog who formed an unbreakable bond in the middle of the Gobi desert—that changed both of their lives forever.

Finding Gobi is the miraculous tale of Dion Leonard, a seasoned ultramarathon runner who crosses paths with a stray dog while competing in a 155-mile race through the Gobi Desert in China. The lovable pup, who would later earn the name Gobi, went step for step with Dion over the Tian Shan Mountains and across massive sand dunes, keeping pace with him for 77 miles.

As Dion witnessed the incredible determination and heart of this small animal, he found his own heart undergoing a change as well. Whereas in the past these races were all about winning and being the best, his goal now was to make sure he and Gobi’s friendship continued well after the finish line.

However, before he could take her home, Gobi went missing in the sprawling Chinese city where she was being kept. Dion, with the help of strangers and a viral outpouring of assistance on the internet, set out to track her down, and reunite with the dog that changed his life.

Read this inspiring story and discover how miracles truly are possible—and find your own heart changing as well.(r.2)

Highlights vs self- reflection:

Golden Sentence:

Conclusion:

Nothing

Wandering tramp

Just to

Win Lucias Heart

Just to prove

his existence

Trophy of the victory

Enjoying

the satisfaction after climbing

to live

for the competition with the future

Lost

at the moment of being finished

Edinburgh under the wind

Stunt and Splendid

Cant feel a little joy of triumph

Full of fear and despair

The voice of giving up

Always in his ear

Dont ask for a centipede

Dead but not stiff

Just to say goodbye

to the west wind

Xiang Yu from Wujiang River

Lost his passion

look back

Labeled youth

Family disability

Frustration

among classmates

The soul wanders

in the world

stall out

Regain the racing self

Is the only stage where

to sway

Decided to go to

the desert again

Solo

Tianshan Steep Slope

Cold and rugged

Billowing yellow dust

Lonely and barren

In the sandstorm

and

heat wave

roll

Lifeless

Self-abuse again

Licking the great pain

of body and mind

Never return to the mainland

Lucia asked the blue bird

to guide

Gobi and I in Urumqi

In a hunting game

Never followed

Even disgusted

Gobi chooses among the masses

The crude tramp

abandoned by the world

Over the mountains

Chase my yellow leggings flag

Never leave

Refuse to give up halfway

Willpower incarnate as a passionate angel

At every moment of being destroyed

waiting at the dim lights

Raising the torch of bright

Cheer for me

Turn into the speed of light

Get unprecedented glory

For you

I decided to go back to the mainland

My heart is soft

because of you

My spirit is magnificent

because of you

My body is strong

because of you

Thank you for letting me learn

Embracing victory

Cant’ win true love

Only from giving

Regain the true love

Lucia lights up

the future for me

You relieved my pain and healed me

of my past

We stretch out our friendship hands

Accept you between us

Decided to take you back to Edinburgh

Its not easy to leave China

Its harder to settle in Edinburgh

You lost

In the fighting between Uyghurs and Hans

In the market

where stray dogs are slaughtered

and dog meat is traded

Looking for a needle in a haystack

The whole earth

Mobilize fundraising platform

The media cheer for you

The world are touched by you

Love from all directions

Fly into my life

My heart is opened

by you

layer by layer

I accept the beauty of the world

The world accepts my incompleteness

No longer blind

Seeing the goodness and warmth

in the world

Seeing all beings

running for you

I dont stop myself

from the door anymore

Thank you the world

for finding a stray dog

Thank you stray dogs

for saving the strays like me

Lucia no longer urges

waiting for me to catch up with her

You blow up our love pink bubbles

You find me

Thousands of Rocks

Im looking for you

Thousands of mountains and rivers

In perfection

Afraid of the sound of the red dust

Cant hear you

We choose the easiest day

Follow you

Re-assume

Colorful

Goose yellow and green

Embrace the landscape beyond Super Horse

Fenfield

Fastest distance

Not a straight line

The most beautiful smile

Is arc

Thank you

for being between us

On the road to change

Lead us to see the rainbow

Let us believe

sincere life

Will eventually

Complete the happiness script

Satisfied

Finding Gobi Questions by Emma:

A book recommended by our dismissed mayor Han, I won four times for the book intro competitions run by Kaohsiung Main Public Library and this is one of the recommended book list.

What impressed me a lot is that how can a dog save a man’s life than a human being can’t reach. In Taiwan, we could see how a dog be spoiled. To have a ride via motorcycle with helmet. Or dog carriage with sunglasses. In Tibet, dog is considered as a stray dog which can be killed at no hand. I can’t imagine how he survive during getting losing.

Lucia help Dion start loving racing, and Gobi help Dion start loving himself.

No wonder, dog is our best friend, in our qigong class, one of our clasmate’s Shiba Inu will take a walk along the park, and his independent attitude guide a senior to join our class. And once when one or our classmate not feel so well and take a rest on the bench, he will keep barking till she went back to our group. 

The amazing true story of a man and a little dog who formed an unbreakable bond in the middle of the Gobi desert—that changed both of their lives forever.

Finding Gobi is the miraculous tale of Dion Leonard, a seasoned ultramarathon runner who crosses paths with a stray dog while competing in a 155-mile race through the Gobi Desert in China. The lovable pup, who would later earn the name Gobi, went step for step with Dion over the Tian Shan Mountains and across massive sand dunes, keeping pace with him for 77 miles.

As Dion witnessed the incredible determination and heart of this small animal, he found his own heart undergoing a change as well. Whereas in the past these races were all about winning and being the best, his goal now was to make sure he and Gobi’s friendship continued well after the finish line.

However, before he could take her home, Gobi went missing in the sprawling Chinese city where she was being kept. Dion, with the help of strangers and a viral outpouring of assistance on the internet, set out to track her down, and reunite with the dog that changed his life.

Read this inspiring story and discover how miracles truly are possible—and find your own heart changing as well.

1.

Questions(r.1):

1.Why didnt Dion stop and pet the dog like all the others?

He is concentrating on the race

2.How do you think about the main character in this book?

Dion and Gobi

3. Why was naming the dog important?

It shows the ownership of the dog

4.Where does the dogs name "Gobi" come from?

Where the ultramarathon was taking place.

5. What is drafting?

Running behind someone so they took the wind.

6.Why did Dion decided to run with Tommy?

Tommy was struggling with the heat and needed someone to look after him.

7.What does Dion do when Tommy couldnt run any longer?

He gave him his last water bottle and left him in the shade to find help at the next checkpoint.

8.Dion was used to the heat because he grew up where?

Australia

9. Why was Dion worried about what the race volunteers would think about him as he rested in the car?

He was worried they would make him stop for the day.

10. What thought motivated Dion enough to begin running again?

Zeng was walking. Gobi had run the last few hundred feet with him

1.      Why cant Dion just take Gobi home with him?

China has strict laws about taking animals out of the country.

2.      What does Brett do when he sees Dion giving Gobi a drink during the race?

He waits for Dion to be done to start the race again.

3.       After the race, what is Dions plan for Gobi?

Gobi will stay with Nurali.

4.      Why was Dions interview with the "Daily Mirror" helpful?

He got the word out about his story and started getting more donations.

5.      What are three problems Dion faces getting Gobi home to Scotland?

Quarantine, blood tests, Gobi needs to fly to Beijing

15. When Dions wife finds out how much it will cost to get Gobi home, they...

remained determined to keep trying

16.A theme is...

the life lesson in the story

1.      Dion is here to win the competition, why Gobi makes Dion change?

(1)This is his first time to glance back for Gobi. He fed her with water and food, Gobi lifted his spirits. Gobi was his good luck charm and got the best record.

(2) Tommy, Julian and Zeng is passing him, he kept swimming through the fog and filled with frustration. Only Gobi waits for him at the finish line with tail up and tongue out.

(3) Dion gives Tommy his last water and lost forty-five minutes of his time in the 120-degree heat, he uses up his energy.

(4) All the runners support Dion to fly Gobi back to home with Dion.cos Gobi brings the race more cheerful and all the participants run faster than before.

(5) He started it all alone and end it surrounded by all friends

2.      What’s your definition of success?

(1)good mood brings good result

3.      As an athelet, what Dion needs to conquer?

(1)palpitation

(2)heatstroke

(3)Chest explode

(4)sich and dizzy

(5)heat, stress and exhaustion

4.      How many stuff Dion encounter to bring Gobi home?

(1)quarantine: accorging to British regulations, any animal entering the country had to be held in quarantine for four months in Heathrow where was four hungred miles away from Edinburgh.

(2)All the cost to bring Gobi home will spend 6560$, via donation, ends up to 350 %, except their expend, they forward the money to the animal shelter.

(3)The video wound up being viewed more than fourteen million times on BBC site. Dion was overwhelmed by the attention. Getting calls from British shows, included German, Russian, Australian and America. The donations are worldwide; India, Venezuela, Thailand, etc.

(4) Dion’s boss and wife Lucjya all support him. Lucja is busy for work, Richard appeared to him, to send by Lucjay to replace her to be his company.

5.      Why Dion believe that Mr. Ma is a scam for Gobi’s ransom

(1). They find Gobi by Mr. Ma, but Dion was afraid that maybe a scam, till Dion found out that Mr. Ma is a Jade dealer. Later Mr. Nurali showed up at Mr. Ma’s house. And recommend that Dion needs to have a better fence so that Gobi would not run away again. Dion nodded his head, but in his heart still feel that Nurali didn’t take good care of Gobi.

(2) Uihgure(we-gooer) thought dogs were unclean, they would never accept the idea of having a dog for a pet. Nurali is an Uighure, Dion wonder maybe she didn’t take good care of Gobi, or maybe Gobi already have escaped earlier. It’s hard to find her.

6.      What’s Dion’s difference impact to China before and after finding Gobi?

(1)

(2)

22.Why is Gobi so meaningful?

(1). Lucja could servive without Dion for view months but for Gobi a lifetime. So Lucja wanna put Gobi’s love at the first place.

(2) avoid Gobi’s panicking, they tool longer time of 42hour to fly her back to Edinburgh.

23.Do you have any pets that means a lot to you?

24.Why Dion is so anxious to prove who he is by running?

(1)Dion’s step father passed away, his mom dump all the negative words to Dion. And want him to leave hom. During study, classmates and teachers. Look down upon him. He want to win his better image by sport. Since he met Lucja, running make him shine again. Before he ran with Lucja, all he wants is to win. Till Gobi appeared, change his attitude to his life goal. Dion enjoy living more than to compete with others.

＊What’s the meaning of love between Gobi and Lucia to Dion?

-Gobi stayed right beside him the whole time, matching his pace perfecly , She was such a good runner! Gobi’s company make Dion win the second place overall that is the best prize he ever had. When Dion gave her a drink, Brett said: I could hardly run past you as you’re giving her a drink. Dion learned that each runner was here to win, they were alos all in this together. And running for this long, and pushing yourself this hand, had a way of bringing people together. (p.41) It started all alone but ended it surrounded by friends. And this time he had one special friend.(p.42)

-Dion loves Lucia because she always supports him(p.46)

-Lucia makes Dion love running, Gobi makes Dion starts to love himself.

＊What reason to make Dion strive for success hardly?

Mother bullied him after his father died and ask him to move out. Classmates bully him.

＊Why does Clive Young change Dion’s philosophy? Is there anyone in your life changes you a lot,too

Even Clive know nothing about the running skills, he just keep running without stop. Clive, he didn’t know the competition has bonus, and all half of the first place competition bonuses go for the other contestants.

＊What are the other Chinese learn from Gobi?

Nobody never pay attention to all the Chinese animal protection group. Gobi makes them being heard and starts to take care of animals.

＊What does Dion learn about the meaning of team after and before finding Gobi? Do you have any experience that pet changes your thought?

Dion understand not that a real team is not a team which just do their own business. A group is that even we are weak and small. We still can keep going big. We don’t need to wait to be big alone.

＊What does Dion’s point of view about Chinese before and after finding Gobi? How about your point of view about China?

He thought that Chinese is very closed, serious ,passive and sly.

＊What traits does Dion change after and before finding Gobi?

Gobi makes him more patient, brave and push him to achieve self-realization with passion.

＊Why Gobi so meaningful to Dion?

1. Via net, Daily Mirror, they raise one day for 6200US, later spreaded by CNN, ESPN, Fox News, ABC America, Eric Zane Show etc. they earned 26000US$ around the world: Australia, India, Venezuela,Brazil,Tailand,South Africa, Ghana and Cambodia  The fund ends up to 350 %, except their expend.

2. Dion spend 41 hours back to Edinburgh on his b-day.(China-France-Belgiuim-Amsterdam-Edingrugh)

3.Dion never believe people. His life is filled with fraud. Horror and worry.

4.2016 is changing year: Trump win the president. Ing-wen Tsai win the Taiwanes president, Brexit nail down, European immigrant crisis. We start to set boundary between all the world.

5. Gobi chose Dion who is the most lonely and abandon person in the race. When Dion cross the river, he abandon Gobi, Gobi didn’t give him up and wait for him at the finish line. Dion win the best prize in his life for the first time.

6.No matter how he wins, the world never care of him , but Gobi make the world care of him.

7. Gobi is just a long-haired Chihuahua, no matter how small it is, her love is enormous

Finding Gobi Questions by Emma:

The amazing true story of a man and a little dog who formed an unbreakable bond in the middle of the Gobi desert—that changed both of their lives forever.

Finding Gobi is the miraculous tale of Dion Leonard, a seasoned ultramarathon runner who crosses paths with a stray dog while competing in a 155-mile race through the Gobi Desert in China. The lovable pup, who would later earn the name Gobi, went step for step with Dion over the Tian Shan Mountains and across massive sand dunes, keeping pace with him for 77 miles.

As Dion witnessed the incredible determination and heart of this small animal, he found his own heart undergoing a change as well. Whereas in the past these races were all about winning and being the best, his goal now was to make sure he and Gobi’s friendship continued well after the finish line.

However, before he could take her home, Gobi went missing in the sprawling Chinese city where she was being kept. Dion, with the help of strangers and a viral outpouring of assistance on the internet, set out to track her down, and reunite with the dog that changed his life.

Read this inspiring story and discover how miracles truly are possible—and find your own heart changing as well.

1.1.

Questions:

1.What’s the meaning of love between Gobi and Lucia to Dion?

2.What reason to make Dion strive for success hardly?

3.Why does Clive Young change Dion’s philosophy? Is there anyone in your life changes you a lot,too?

4.What are the other Chinese learn from Gobi?

5.What does Dion learn about the meaning of team after and before finding Gobi? Do you have any experience that pet changes your thought?

6.What does Dion’s point of view about Chinese before and after finding Gobi? How about your point of view about China?

7.What traits does Dion change after and before finding Gobi?

8.Why Gobi so meaningful to Dion?

 Dear All, 

Related Reading:

1.Quiz: https://quizizz.com/admin/quiz/5c6189df128303001ae793ab/finding-gobi

2.Plot: https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Gobi-Little-Very-Heart-ebook/dp/B01MQI2YH4

3. Dion Leonard: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dion_Leonard

4.Hami: https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%93%88%E5%AF%86