On Dogs: An Anthology
It’s blindingly obvious from my Ramblings that I’m a huge fan of Notting Hill Editions; their beautifully presented and always engrossing editions are starting to find a regular place on my shelves…. ;D What you may not have realised is that I’m also a huge fan of dogs! When it comes to our four-legged friends I definitely come down on the side of the canines (sorry, cat-lovers – although I love them a bit too…) I guess the fact that I grew up in a family which always had a dog in the house has got something to do with it. The first resident was Buster, a Collie/Cocker Spaniel cross my mum and dad had when they got married. He was a lovely, even tempered dog and my mum was heartbroken when we lost him. She kind of swore she would never have another dog, until we stumbled across West Highland Terriers. Some friends visited from Scotland with their Westie called Hamish. My brother and I were entranced, and when a Westie puppy appeared in a local pet shop we plagued my mother until she brought it home with us. He was Hamish too and he lived until he was 17; he was followed by Duncan, Angus and Jamie until my dad passed away and my mum decided a dog was too much for her. Which is a roundabout way of saying I am a Dog Person; so the latest release from Notting Hill Editions, a wonderful anthology entitled “On Dogs” is most definitely my kind of book! 😀
“On Dogs” is edited by Rosie Heys, and comes with an entertaining introduction by Tracey Ullman. It’s illustrated by photographs by Gruffpawtraits, and the contents range far and wide through a marvellous array of authors writing about dogs in all shapes and forms. There really are some excellent selections, and not only fictional dogs, but extracts from people like Barbara Woodhouse and her thoughts on how to train dogs; academic discussions on the gradual development of the dog species and the morals of breeding, and indeed having a pet at all; and thoughts about the differences between dogs and wolves.
There’s poetry, including verse from Lord Byron and the Empress of China; Virginia Woolf introduces Flush to Elizabeth Barrett; Jack London shows us dogs in the wild; and we even get to encounter Bulgakov’s mongrel Sharik, who takes centre stage in his very wonderful “Heart of a Dog”. Elsewhere, A.A. Gill and Will Self tussle with the fact that they have been seduced into becoming dog owners by a pair of pleading canine eyes; we learn about the role of dogs in expeditions to the North Pole; Mrs. Gaskell shows us a surprising harshness from the Brontes towards their dogs; and John Steinbeck travels through the southern states of America with his dog Charley.
And that’s just some of the riches “On Dogs” contains; it really is a superb collection, full of funny, profound, moving and entertaining pieces about dogs (and of course their owners). I never like to pick favourites, because I enjoyed all of these pieces, but I must mention two authors in particular. Brigitte Bardot, known for her love of animals and running sanctuaries for them in France, provides a powerful ‘Open Letter’ where she condemns the wanton breeding of dogs which has led to such an overpopulation of the animals that her sanctuaries are full of unwanted canines. I couldn’t agree more, and if I ever get round to having a dog of my own it will be a rescue one. *
Mother used to send a box of candy every Christmas to the people the Airedaile bit. The list finally contained forty or more names. Nobody could understand why we didn’t get rid of the dog. I didn’t understand it very well myself, but we didn’t get rid of him.
Then there’s James Thurber… He contributes a piece entitled “The Dog That Bit People”, which is taken from his “My Life and Hard Times”. It tells the story of an Airedale called Muggs who does indeed seem to bite everyone, including the family – so much so, that you actually do really wonder why they kept it! It’s a screamingly funny piece of writing which had me laughing so much I almost couldn’t breathe! I’ve read and reviewed Thurber before, and this reminded me how much I loved his writing – priceless!
So “On Dogs” is another winner from NHE as far as I’m concerned. It’s as beautifully produced as all of their hardback essay collections, and will entertain you from start to finish. Plus if you’re Christmas shopping for a dog lover it may well solve all your problems… (there, I said the C-word – sorry!) Me? I’m still laughing about Muggs…. ;D
*In case anyone’s wondering, I crave a Wire Hair Fox Terrier….
Oct 28, 2019 @ 08:15:52
This sounds lovely! As you say, a perfect present (see how I opted out of the c word there!) I’m on a one-woman campaign to destroy the false opposition of cats vs dogs (sorry Miranda Hart) as I love them both 😀
Oct 28, 2019 @ 11:53:51
Well, I do like cats too (apart from when they kill things) – so I think there’s room for both. Basically, as a vegan, I love *all* animals! :DDD
Oct 28, 2019 @ 12:10:02
Me too, Madame B. I’ve never understood this competitive dog/cat thing because they’re completely different but equally lovable! 🐱🐶
Oct 28, 2019 @ 15:45:43
True, true – all animals are good! 😀
Oct 28, 2019 @ 08:49:46
Sounds like a good one! I do love a nice dog in the park, running happily with a waggy tail, and of course my friends’ dogs, Claire’s sweet Kaci and LInda’s adorable Margot and Rudi.
Oct 28, 2019 @ 11:53:12
It’s great fun, and I’m glad you have access to lovely dogs. I know many of the universities have wellbeing dogs, which is such a good idea – they can be such happy, smiley animals! 😀
Oct 29, 2019 @ 07:48:46
I’ve realised you probably don’t know, but our lovely cat unfortunately died last month. So I’m getting solace from lovely cheery dogs but keeping away from cats; not ready to be near them yet.
Oct 29, 2019 @ 10:00:22
Oh, I’m *so* sorry Liz – your poor kitty…. :((( I can imagine that being near other cats at the moment would be very triggery. At least you can take comfort from dogs – they usually have such smiley, happy faces (at least, the kind I like do!) xxx
Oct 28, 2019 @ 09:38:25
I’m a dog person too. I reckon you’d love Dogs in Art and Dogs in Australian Art: a new history of antipodean creativity (See https://anzlitlovers.com/2016/06/20/dogs-in-australian-art-expanded-edition-by-steven-miller/, which has a link to the first book too.)
Oct 28, 2019 @ 11:52:34
Dogs are great! And thank you for the link – I don’t think I’ve ever considered dogs in art before! 😀
Oct 28, 2019 @ 13:36:03
Oh dogs are so special. I love dogs too, very fond of cats but dogs are just wonderful. This would be a fabulous gift for a dog lover, though I ‘m slightly devastated to learn that the Brontes were hard on their dogs.
Oct 28, 2019 @ 15:45:28
Animals are great generally (I regularly coo over squirrels) but dogs are just the best. Fortunately, it seems as though the Bronte story may be spurious….
Oct 28, 2019 @ 13:59:41
I love dogs! I mean, I like cats, but I love dogs more! Yes, it’s kind of unfair, but I cannot help it! This seems like a wonderful collection and I was not even aware, that a series like this was available; must look it up! Thank You for a great review!
Oct 28, 2019 @ 15:44:41
Dogs are the best! It’s a lovely collection and I can’t recommend the Notting Jill Editions books enough – they’re beautiful! 😀
Oct 28, 2019 @ 14:03:51
I’ve owned a cat and a dog, and like both, but agree about the murderous tendencies of cats as a negative. My neighbour’s pretty little cat sits hopefully by my bird feeder until I shoo her away. And my dog Bronte was just the best! Emily B allegedly punched her dog for going upstairs to a bedroom that was out of bounds – an anecdote now not universally accepted as a true story – there’s documentary evidence to suggest she loved dogs
Oct 28, 2019 @ 15:44:07
Yeah, I *do* like them both, but that cruel side of cats does give me problems! The Emily B story in the book is just the one you mention, and I also came across it in another book I’ve just finished – good to know it possibly isn’t true…. ;D
Oct 28, 2019 @ 16:31:59
This sounds like a good read. I’d love a dog but it’s not practical for us to get one at the moment (we do have a guinea pig who behaves just like a dog though!). I think my mum-in-law would love this book so I’m making a note of the title so I can look out for it for her for Christmas.
Oct 28, 2019 @ 17:25:20
It’s a lovely book and I bet your mum-in-law will love it! 😀 Dogs are great and I’d like one when I finally retire – but guinea pigs are the cutest too!
Oct 28, 2019 @ 20:10:07
I used to be rather afraid of dogs but have grown to love them much more in recent years, largely due to the fact that one of my best friends has a very friendly working cocker – we often walk him together in one of the local parks. Anyway, the book sounds gorgeous. I might even buy a copy for my friend as I’m sure she would like it!
Oct 29, 2019 @ 10:24:55
Oh, I admit there are some dogs which are scary – I’m nervous of the fierce looking kind myself. But give me a cute terrier and I go completely to pieces! I’m sure your friend will love the book, although there *are* some bits that make you sad!
Oct 28, 2019 @ 20:11:49
I’m a dog person, have lived with them since birth. Mr Penguin adores cats so we have both. This book does sound wonderful. I’m always looking forward to my next puppy. Growing up our neighbour had a wire haired terrier. He was a character. I’m leaning towards a beagle or jack russell now. Maybe a schnauzer cross? Maybe aall of them, lol.
Oct 29, 2019 @ 10:24:04
I do love that dogs and cats can get on together when they’re told they really should! This is a lovely celebration of dogs, although it doesn’t shy away from the harsher element of things. Every dog should have a home – when I finally get round to having one (in my eventual retirement) I shall hope to get a rescue dog!
Oct 29, 2019 @ 19:32:29
I too like both cats and dogs; we had a black cat and a blonde Labrador, they slept in the same basket, both lovable and especially adorable together. But it struck me that in world literature dogs seem to be more popular and memorable than cats. I can think of several literary dogs, like Sharik, but cats? 🤔
Oct 29, 2019 @ 20:09:07
Yeah, I do love them both, though dogs really have the edge. And you’re right – Flush springs to mind too! Although there’s always Behemoth, though he’s not always a cat… ;D
Oct 30, 2019 @ 06:10:54
Ah yes, Behemoth!
Nov 08, 2019 @ 10:13:46
The dog – cat debate is a more contentious issue then politics or religion! 🙂
Seriously, while I favor cats a bit I tend to love them both. This sounds like a really neat collection. I fact I think that it was a neat idea to collect these together in the first place.
Nov 08, 2019 @ 10:17:31
Yeah, it really does cause conflict! I love both, but dogs have the edge for me, particularly when a cat is cruel.
It’s a great collection though; really entertaining and quite thought provoking in places. Also, very funny…. ;D