Customer Reviews

A Dog Called Perth: The True Story or a Beagle

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1 star:		(10)

 

 

I'll admit that I'm one of those softhearted animal lovers who loves to read touching stories about favorite pets (and often ends blinking back tears during the final farewell scene). I thought I would enjoy A Dog Called Perth:A True Story of A Beagle, not only because of my fondness of animals in general, but because I presently have two dogs whom I adore & indulge, and because I grew up with a beagle who looked much like the bright-eyed dog on the cover of this book. The description of the book promises that this is a touching true story written by Peter Martin, the owner of Perth. Perth herself is billed as a spirited, independent, and unique dog.

The book details the ups and downs of daily life with Perth, a beagle whom the Martins vowed never to restrain in any way. It follows her story from her adoption by the Martins in upstate New York to the end of her long life in a small village in England. Despite the scope, it is a short book which took only a few hours to finish.

Unfortunately, I was disappointed by A Dog Called Perth. Martin's inattention to the training of Perth resulted in her becoming a habitual biter as she grew older, and the book describes several instances in which Perth attacked family friends. Late in the book, when Perth is in the twilight of her years but has just managed to bite Martin's neighbor with such ferociousness that the man is not able to work for three weeks, Mr Martin helplessly sighs that Perth is too old to be trained to do any differently. (His excuse years before for not training her not to bite when the behavior first appeared? Well, she was only biting because didn't like Ohio, where the Martins resided at the time.) It became frustrating to read the author's blithe dismissals of Perth's bad behavior, and laughable as he would go on to explain in great detail why the incidents were always someone else's fault anyway. Dogs are simple, engaging creatures to begin with, beagles particularly so. It is telling that Martin needs to go to such lengths to try to convince us that underneath all the misbehavior, Perth really was a very charming dog. Mr. Martin, if it roams like a dog, growls like a dog, and bites like a dog... then in all likelihood it is a roaming, growling, biting dog whose alleged charms may be lost on your audience.

If readers are not disturbed by Martin allowing his dog to run rampant (and I will admit that the theory he uses to justify his laissez faire treatment of Perth - that such an intelligent and independent animal should not be constrained - seems appealing in a romantically foolish way), then they may alternatively be annoyed by his writing style. If I hadn't read more on Mr Martin's background and discovered that he is a university professor and author of scholarly books on English Literature, I would have thought that his past literary experience consisted of writing dime store romance novels. This book is bursting with overwrought, melodramatic prose (particularly as Martin flies off into yet another tortured monologue attempting to justify Perth's latest transgression) which made me laugh out loud at times.

I have no doubt that Peter Martin and his family loved their dog and felt that their lives were made better by her presence. However, I'm certain that many of his neighbors and friends who had run-ins with the unpredictable animal did not feel that their lives were enriched by her. And I as well feel no better for knowing the story of Perth. A Dog Called Perth is a book that did not need to be written and is best avoided.

I just finished A Dog Called Perth and understand the outrage of those both appalled by the biting and other negative behavior by the beagle, Perth, and the seemingly irresponsible attitude of the starry-eyed young couple who adopted her. Being a dog owner myself, I had trouble understanding how the author was able to do such a fine job of teaching Perth to be streetwise and even do a few parlor tricks but failed to be able to teach her not to draw blood from well-meaning neighbors.
Having said that, I realize that the Martins adopted Perth back in 1965, a very different time from today. They didn't have the luxury of dog training videotapes or bookshelves stocked with "Beagles for Dummies" or "Idiot's Guide to Beagles." Not that it necessarily would have mattered; for better or worse, and sometimes much worse, the Martins approached their life with Perth the way they wished to live themselves, a dreamworld life free from normal constraints. I'm not sure I can imagine the author pulling Perth down by the collar to give her a "time out" and establish himself as her master and pack leader. Perth's spirit and spunk are precisely what the Martins found most endearing about her; the idea of working to break her of those traits were as appalling to them as that of tieing her to a chain in the yard.
While I agree with the reviewer who stated that the book should definitely not be used as a training guide for today's dog owner, A Dog Called Perth is an honest and true portrayal of how one young couple chose to bring a dog into their lives, the experiences they shared as they struggled and grew together, and how life with the rambunctious Beagle they named Perth colored their lives forever. Anyone whose ever loved a dog deeply may not agree with the Martins' approach to raising Perth, and may even find some of their actions downright ill-conceived, but will nonetheless certainly understand their intentions and the intensity of the feelings behind them.

As a Beagle owner, I was drawn to the book by the physical resemblance of Perth to our own Beagle. Both my wife and I took turns reading the book aloud during some of our travels over the Holidays.

The book speaks volumes about the personality traits of Beagles; fiercely loyal, independent, sometimes rebellious, but above all loving and forever active. The only exception we took with the story was that the author stated they wanted a Beagle since it would not shed so much. After 2 years of life with a Beagle, we could easily start making sweaters with all of the discarded hair. That discrepancy aside, we quickly identified ourselves with the young couple and felt all their joys and frustrations.

Surprisingly, the book speaks of much more than the life of a dog; emphasizing one family's commitment to live their life on their own terms. In their dog, they look for the qualities that they themselves strive to attain. Despite this, Perth is always a dog, imperfect, but beautiful just the same.

The book is great for a family to read aloud and will leave them with more of which to think than you might expect. It is well written and easy reading that will keep both young and old readers interested.

(NOTE: I initially wrote this review for the paperback edition, but I felt it appropriate to post it here as well.)

Depending on your perspective, "A Dog Called Perth" is either heartwarming or heartbreaking. It's definitely a mixture of the two, but to some one may outweigh the other.

Unfortunately for my reading experience, the heartbreaking aspect overwhelmed the story.

Author Peter Martin and his wife, Cindy, obviously loved their beagle, Perth, to bits. They couldn't get enough of her, she was perfect in every way, shape and form. If Perth got into any trouble it was because someone provoked her in some way, or she was defending herself, or she was just being the way dogs are intended to be: free-spirited. Their love for this dog was clearly limitless, and the pedestal Perth was placed upon simply got taller and taller throughout her long, 21-year life.

But that was the problem. Peter and Cindy were so wrapped up in Perth that they seemed to lose sight of the fact that she was a DOG. Now, I'm as much a dog-lover as the next guy, but these people's approach to raising and caring for their dog was not exactly what I'd call responsible.

For instance, Perth had a history of biting people. And not just biting them -- but biting their NOSES. Scary, if you asked me, especially if you are unfortunate enough to be one of the recipients. But yet it was never Perth's fault -- Peter had warned people not to bend down next to Perth's head, and if they did and she bit them, then, oh well, too bad -- you were warned!

Worst of all, when they had to go to England for a few months, they left Perth with complete strangers at a girls' summer camp. They only thought of Perth's needs and desires: to run free in the wilds of Vermont, to have access to every nook and cranny the wilderness had to offer, to chase rabbits and squirrels endlessly, and all the while have her food and water made ready for her by people who had only known the dog for all of one day. Not once did Peter and Cindy consider the danger of leaving a dog known to bite people and having no experience with children at a girls' summer camp. All that mattered was Perth's well-being, no one else's.

Not once did Peter and Cindy put Perth on a leash. That is no exaggeration. They didn't "believe" in leashes -- even after Perth escaped from the girls' camp and went missing for six months. (Peter and Cindy, naturally, blamed the camp director for not controlling Perth better.) They eventually found her, but only because they were incredibly lucky and had enough money to offer up a decent reward. After getting her back, Perth was still allowed to roam free. The fact that she might have caused who-knows-how-many traffic accidents and random dog bites and dug-up gardens was unimportant to these owners.

And yet, throughout the book you get the sense that their love and devotion to Perth is extremely genuine. Too bad it didn't demonstrate itself in ways that I could relate to.

When I read the back of the book, I thought I would've been able to relate a lot to it. Like Perth, my dog Andie went missing, too. She was only gone for 11 days, but it was the worst 11 days of my life. But Andie went missing because one day our gate didn't latch properly and she got out, not because I left her behind with a bunch of strangers and allowed her to roam off-leash her entire life. My love for Andie rivals that of Peter and Cindy's love for Perth, but I believe it wins out because, honestly, I protect Andie and they did not.

So, I'm sorry to say I came away disappointed with this book. Upon reading Amazon reviews for this book's hardback edition, I found I was not alone. Not by a long shot. Although beautifully written -- the main reason I'm giving it three stars -- I can't bring myself to recommend this book to anyone, dog lover or otherwise. I'd feel like I was adding to the irresponsibility with which Perth was raised, and she deserves better than th

In 206 pages Perth runs away, bites several family friends, snaps at small girls at a children's camp, tears up the house, becomes lost in the woods, bites a couple other random people, and nearly gets her owner trampled by a cow. Through all this, Martin steadfastly admires his dog's indomitable spirit. He alternates the raves for Perth with agonizing over leaving her behind in the United States when he and his wife go abroad, which is commendable, considering that most people probably would have taken that opportunity to flee the mounting casualty count.

This book -- and I say this with the gentle understanding that comes from owning a dog -- is a laugh-out-loud testimony to blind spot people have for their pets. Perth starts biting people's noses violently enough to draw blood, and Martin blames it on the state of Ohio, which he says bored her. She chews up the house, and he credits her "steely determination." But my favorite passage comes after he finds Perth has been snapping at kids at the camp he left her at during a trip abroad. The parentheticals are mine. "Perhaps the most unforgivable thing I did, to ourselves and Perth (But not, apparently, the kids, the camp director or the parents) was not tell Mrs. Roy that Perth had bitten people before ... If I had told Mrs. Roy that Perth had nipped people's noses, she would never have accepted her. (Unreasonable woman.) Anyway, I was convinced that the reason Perth did snap was that Ohio depressed her and she felt severed from the rhythm of natural beauties she had known in Cazenovia. On a mountaintop in Vermont I was convinced her mind and emotions would clear. What I shoved to the back of my mind were the legions of giggling, screaming (Wouldn't most of that screaming have been Perth-induced?) girls she would have to endure ... Perth must have been horrified and unable to control herself. In her position, I probably would have snapped at the girls, too."

As a dog owner I understand that Mr. Martin obviously adored his dog, and was loved by his dog in return, but ... wow. That's right up there with people who insist that Snickers is "just playing" when he's got your head in his jaws.

Again, Mr. Martin was obviously a devoted owner, but for a loving pet tale with a little more self-awareness, check out James Thurber's short story, "The Dog That Bit People."

Perth's owners have no sense of responsibility. Please do not read this book. I made it through 56 pages and can read no more. Poor doggy. When she escaped the parked car, leapt the water gap onto the ferryboat (the ships screws would have torn her to bits if she hadn't made it), Perth should have headed South to Portland and become MY dog.

It gnaws at my soul that there are people who will read this book and conclude that pets should lead this kind of life. The behavior of Perth's owners is reprehensible. In my long expereince with domestic animals and zoos I know of no veternarian, or zoo keeper or animal trainer that would ever support the view of animal treatment espoused by the owners of Perth. I read to the point where Perth's owners attempt to leave Perth for a whole day in a parked car while they take the ferry to Victoria, B.C. Having made this trip myself and assuming they immediately boarded the return ferry, Perth would have been left alone in the car a minimum of six hours. The highly intelligent abandoned dog escapes the car. Then she leaps the gap of water between the dock and the ferry to reach her owners. She would have done better to head in the opposite direction looking for better owners. Thankfully she makes it onto the ship. This is a big ferry, if she had not, she would likely have been sucked under the ferry and torn to bits by the screws. Would her masters have gone to her rescue? More likely they would have suffered great grief loudly. Then they would have consoled each other with their misguided view that at least the dog had led a 'free' life. This is one quarter of the book. The owners show no signs of growing up. I can read no more. Though I could return the book, I will not. I will destroy it.

I have lived with Beagles for 33 years.I know them well.Mr. Martin's juvenile understanding of both human & canine relationships is evident throughtout the book.His and his wife's total irresponsibility is abundantly evident.This couple was characteristically inconsiderate both to neighbors and to the Beagle.They both graphically embody the culture of self-gratification to the detriment of their friends, acquaintances & their Beagle. No canine human companion should ever be subject to such totally irresponsible "owneship." This book,adolescently contrived & written,stands as a testimony to their vacuous understanding of Beagles & to their consistently abusive relationship with this unfortunate Beagle who deserved so much better. T'was a pity that this disastrous story of abuse was ever commited to paper.Save your money & donate it to Pet Rescue somewhere.

Let me start by saying two things: 1. I loved this book. 2. I am the happy owner of an American "blanket" Beagle. In fact, my "dogge" was at my side for most of the time I spent reading this delightful story. Yes, there were a few times I cringed at Perth's behaviour and, seemingly, lack of training on the part of her owners. However, as one reviewer already pointed out, it was a different era. I would love to be able to send my beagle outside our gate to roam in the fields beyond our house. However, the ASPCA would have something to say about that, I'm sure.

Readers, enjoy this for what it is; one family's love affair with their dog. A feisty, independent, opinionated, lovable beagle. This is *not* a training manual and doesn't pretend to be one.

For those readers whose only knowledge of a beagle is Snoopy, read this and find out what it's really all about.

I thought I was the only one outraged by this book until I decided to look it up here and read the other reviews..I am more than half way through but simply cannot finish the book..it makes me too sad and too mad! And since another reviewer gave us the ending I REALLY cant finish it-I guess I am glad that I know what happened...so I dont have to read it myself.
Have these supposedly intelligent people ever heard about the responsibility one takes on when bringing a puppy into the family..it is at least at 10-12 year committment and sometimes even longer. It is NOT kind to just let a dog roam free and it is NOT cruel to put them in a kennel when you must go away. That is merely taking care of them...and I truly believe that was also the case in 1965 which was not exactly the dark ages!! If you can't take a dog on the ferry...and you have the dog with you (oh what a burden) then you dont take the ferry trip! Don't lock her in the car and then go on the ferry and worry (?) about it! Other reviewers were right-Perth deserved better owners..I could go on and on but I just become more angry. I am so sorry I picked up this "heartwarming" tale ..it may be the only book on a dog that I simply could not complete..due to outrage and sorrow.