The kids are back in school.
The days are growing shorter.
Soon, a cold wind will blow and we’ll be spending more time
indoors. Put the remote down; it’s time to
pick up a good book and hunker down in a comfy chair.
Kids and adults alike love a good story that has a great dog
in the plot. From the classics to the
modern, here are a few of our preferred dog stories. Read something you’ve never read before, or re-visit
a tried-and-true favorite.
Spoiler Alert! In
some cases, we may be giving away the ending.
Argos, The Odyssey, Homer
He may be the first dog ever noted in Western
literature. Argos waited 20 years for
the return of his master, Odysseus, and was the only one to recognize the
man. Knowing his master is home, safe
and sound, the old dog peacefully dies, becoming a symbol of never-ending love
and fidelity.
Toto, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, L. Frank
Baum
L. Frank Baum described Toto as “a little black dog with
long silky hair and small black eyes that twinkled merrily on either side of
his funny, wee nose. Toto seems average enough but, in later books, he and
other animals reveal that they’ve always had the ability to communicate with
humans. Why didn’t they reveal their
secret earlier?
Buck, The Call of the Wild, Jack London
A powder puff living the good life in California, Buck is
sold into dog sled slavery and must face the hard life of winters in
Canada. Having gone virtually wild, he
is tamed when he meets gold miner/outdoorsman John Thornton, and is reminded of
the power of love, even in the face of tragedy.
Lassie, Lassie Come Home, Eric Knight
Though most people probably know Lassie from her on-screen
appearances (“What’s that girl? Timmy fell down the well?”), she
originated in a 1938 Saturday Evening Post story by Eric Knight. The full-length novel was published in 1940, which
chronicles the dog’s journey to get back to the boy she loves. The
beloved collie spawned additional books, radio programs and an entire series of
movies.
Old Yeller, Old Yeller, Fred Gipson
A story that makes the most hard-hearted well up. He hunts, saves the family from a bear and loves
the 14-year-old hero of the book. Yeller
makes the ultimate sacrifice for the Coates family; he’s lost but never
forgotten. This is probably the first
tragedy that youngsters experience; it deserves high marks for what it teaches
all of us about love.
Fang, Harry Potter, J. K. Rowling
We have a soft spot for Hagrid’s bumbling boarhound. Sure,
he’s a big, drooling coward — but when the plot calls for him, he’s ready to
take the stupendous spell.
So, head to the library, download an eBook, or check the
dusty boxes in your attic. Who better to
help you enjoy the shorter days than man’s best friend?
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