The Dog Who Wouldn't be. Farley Mowat. New York. Pyramid House. 1957.
This is one heart warming story of a canine, Mutt, who is no ordinary dog. He is human in his actions...he thinks like one, say his owners. This dog loves climbing rock faces, cliffs, ladders and tree tops...only he cannot figure how to get down.
He loves car rides across the prairie towns that his owners take him on, especially with his old fashioned aviator goggles. His escapades on fences with the neighbourhood cats running short of high places to
escape from make for interesting reading.
This dog loves cray fishing, teasing frogs and skunks. The adventure or rather the misadventure with these stinkers leads the reader to some real belly-shaking laughter.
His sailor's instincts and sea-faring spirit that match those of his owners' are used to show that everybody makes mistakes - humans and dogs alike. The mudflat drives on boats, the venture on a boat to sail to the ocean from the middle of the prairie all make for the appealing picture of silliness coupled with the spirit of heroes.
What I really loved about the book is not only the narration laced with general doses of humour and a sense of wit, but also the seriousness with which this dog earns the love of his owners.
What comes across immediately is the bond that develops between the boy and his pet...simple, trusting and fun loving; in it is the philosophy of life itself - that life is but a short journey that has to be enjoyed every moment in order to understand the beauty of it.
The last chapter is especially tenderly and lovingly told - as the boy traces his dog's footprints to every twig that he has played with, the butterflies that he chased, the chipmuks that he tried to tease out of their burrows and the final thud as a rash driver hits and runs...poignant in its simplicity, the tale's last chapter is the ending to the beautiful life of a zestful, curious and adventurous dog, who wouldn't be a dog.
This is a book to be resorted to, whenever one feels the weight of loneliness on beautiful spring days and warm summer evenings.