Albert Payson Terhune
Hardcover | Pages: 238 pages Rating: 4.25 | 8630 Users | 185 Reviews
Particularize Books Concering Lad: A Dog (Lad #1)
| Original Title: | Lad: A Dog |
| ISBN: | 0517122863 (ISBN13: 9780517122860) |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Series: | Lad #1 |
Ilustration During Books Lad: A Dog (Lad #1)
This will be revisited at some point, but it came up as a GoodReads recommendation, and I wanted to share my memory of this book.I read my pop's old paperback copy of this, and encountered my first (traumatizing) experience with old paperback book-binding glue. It was tragic. I was 9, and not at fault, but since my father loved this book, I got chewed out thoroughly for the pages that were falling out like leaves from an autumn tree, regardless of how lovingly and reverently I treated this copy.
Sadness aside, I have mixed memories of this book, some sad (as Lad drags himself across the snow unerringly), some happy (he was a wonderful family dog), and some adorable (him mouthing the lady's foot).
This is a book for dog lovers, written by a dog lover. Flat out. And I loved it. Even the sad bits (which I generally hate, but always stand out so strongly for me in retrospect).
I had sung the praises of Rin Tin Tin to my pop, and read many Jim Kjelgaard (why does my spell check want to change this name, when I memorized the spelling to better peruse his works in our various library card catalogues?) doggie stories which I enjoyed, wanting each of the breeds written on, and at this point added English Collie to this list. My sweet father who knew that I was so like him, let me borrow his ancient paperback copy that he had enjoyed as a boy himself.
We knew each other as if I were cut from the same cloth he had been. And I appreciated that about him. So when I read this story, I knew that I would enjoy it just as he had. And I did. Until I returned the book, and the pages were beginning to slip free. I felt bad. He felt bad. It was a bad experience.
But even with that, I recall this book in the light of the love of a good dog.
Years later, when I wound up with a rescued Collie whom I named 'Prince' (his real name, turned out when his delinquent owner showed up, was Cheeseballs) it was this story that came to mind as I brushed him for what was perhaps the first time in his life, loosening mats and burrs and scabs from old scars, telling myself stories of Lad and where all that came from as he trembled in my lap, unwilling to get off me. He was a culmination of my hopes and dreams and memories of this book, and too short with me.
But still, I have always dreamed of having a dog as loyal as this. This book is the ideal, the standard, the pinnacle all good dogs can be measured against. Lad is not just a dog, but a saint in canine form.
A story to be savoured, for sure. It has stood the test of time.
Define Appertaining To Books Lad: A Dog (Lad #1)
| Title | : | Lad: A Dog (Lad #1) |
| Author | : | Albert Payson Terhune |
| Book Format | : | Hardcover |
| Book Edition | : | First Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 238 pages |
| Published | : | January 24th 1995 by Gramercy (first published 1919) |
| Categories | : | Animals. Classics. Fiction. Dogs. Childrens. Young Adult |
Rating Appertaining To Books Lad: A Dog (Lad #1)
Ratings: 4.25 From 8630 Users | 185 ReviewsCriticize Appertaining To Books Lad: A Dog (Lad #1)
When I was a kid, the library had two hardcover editions of this book. I would read one copy, take it back, exchange it for the next. I read this book so many times I could recite it. I read his others as well, but this one, and this dog, remain a favorite. As an adult, I bought the book myself and it has a hallowed spot on my keeper shelf.God, this is awful. I love dogs. I love dog books. Silver Chief, Dog of the North and Big Red were among my favorite books growing up. I didn't even much mind reading James Oliver Curwood's Swift Lightening a year or so ago, although it was a pretty silly book. But this piece of crap is beyond the pale. To begin with, it's hideously racist, both in describing the behavior of people and that of dogs. The protagonist dog, Lad, is allegedly a collie, but his behavior isn't evenly remotely
Real Rating: 3.5This book was good, but I did not love it. The first two chapters were not very good and I was doubtful that I would end up liking it but it surprised me.Some of the chapters were really cute, and some were sad. But Lad was a really cute and nice dog, and I really liked that. Especially when he saved that cat from death... ;)
Wow! Id forgotten all about this book. I read this when I was 9 or 10 years old and it was my absolute favorite. Must read it again and see if my 5-star memory of the story stands the test of time.
I will always have a soft spot for dog stories. This proved to be one of those well told and interesting ones, even for this mom. This chronicles his many adventures while living on Sunnybank farm. It is endearing to read of his loyalty to his master and mistress and the various ways he offers his doggy services (saving mistresses life, saving a little girls life, protecting their home from a burglar), as well as an adventure of finding his way home again. I appreciated the way Lad wasn't this
Great dog story, rivals that even of Jack London! Very humorous, makes for one lovable dog!
As I re-read this as an adult, I kept thinking of Lionel Barrymore in the movie It's A Wonderful Life sneering at Jimmy Stewart as he says "Sentimental hogwash!" Exactly so. Lad is the canine version of Superman and Cary Grant rolled into one. He saves his mistress's life - he miraculously gets a cripple to walk - he survives a snakebite - he takes unjust beatings for his ladylove's sake - he saves his son from falling through the ice - he is Wonder Dog, Lassie and Rin Tin Tin on steroids. He
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