I picked this book up for two reasons:
- It is by Markus Zusak, the author of The Book Thief, which is one of my favourite books.
- It is about dogs, another of my favourite things.
Zusak gives an authentic account of bringing a dog, (or two) into your family. He beautifully captures the difficulties, humour, chaos, and bonds that develop over time between all the family and the dogs. He shows how each is special, with its own unique personality and all are loved unconditionally. Their strong connection seems to overcome all the negatives.
We are introduced to his current pet, Frosty, “a big, white, boisterous, wire-haired pound dog with unknown pedigree-probably a version of wolfhound cross”. We then learn that Frosty had two predecessors, Rueben and Archer, both large dogs, also of unknown heritage and all are “rescues”, a term, Zusak dislikes and prefers to say they are from the pound or the ‘group home’. These dogs all had their own difficult behaviours but seem to attach themselves to the Zusak family and their issues are moderated or tolerated over time.
Zusak is a wonderful storyteller and in this small book he explores how humans negotiate life with their pets and the consequences that follow. I read it on the train on a recent trip to Melbourne. Hours of uninterrupted reading time is such a treat and it was a pleasure to devour.
-Jenny Congdon, Berrigan Library
