In 1888 in Albany, New York a small terrier type dog was caught out in a storm and decided that the post office would be a nice place to get out of the rain. It was night time and he just went in the back door as someone had left it ajar. The next day when the postal workers arrived they found him curled up on some mail sacks. He growled at them but, didn't bite. He was a skinny mutt that no one claimed so they decided to keep him. Owney was now a supervisor at the post office. No rat nor cat would get past him!
The men took him home, thinking he'd like a family, but no way. Owney was a postman. One time a sack of mail went missing, right along with Owney, and no one could touch it save a man in a blue wool uniform. He "was not about to turn over government property to just anybody." Owney was into postal trains too and off he went to New York City, making the postal men very sad. Several months later he came home. The men put a note on him that said: Dear Railway Postmen: Owney guards the U.S. Mail. Will you let us know where he has been? Please attach your depot tag to his collar." Across the states and around the world ... in this book you'll find out just where Owney went!
This is an unusual biography of a dog who loved the men in the blue wool postal uniforms and became their beloved mascot. This is a heartwarming tale of a dog that will appeal to many. It is well written and researched and the watercolors are as appealing as the tale. There is a brief biography and a couple of pictures of the real life Owney included. This is a marvelous read alone or read aloud story that will thrill everyone. All aboard, here comes Owney!
