A Dog Called Perth: The True Story of a Beagle

by Peter Martin

Book Overview

This heartwarming story of a truly remarkable dog, who changed the lives of her owners forever, will move and delight dog lovers everywhere. From the moment Peter and Cindy Martin spotted her as a... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 155970652X
• ISBN13: 9781559706520
• Release Date: December 2002
• Publisher: Arcade Publishing
• Length: 216 Pages
• Weight: 0.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.8" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

indomitable dog, irresponsible owners!!!

I was so enraged by the complete ignorance of the dog owners in this book that I am writing my very first book review! Perth was obviously a very special dog and I enjoyed reading about her intelligence and spirit very much. However, the way she was so carelessly treated by those who claimed to love her, simply makes my blood boil! As someone else has already written, I, too, hesitated to read the ending of the book fearing exactly what happened at the end of her life. I finally did finish the book and do urge other dog lovers to read it, knowing in advance that they will probably simply love Perth and want to shake some common sense into her owners!

For Beagle Lovers Everywhere

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.

A warm doggy tail!

A book all dog lovers can relate to. This is a heart rending tale, but at the same time gives a warm glow on a cold autumn evening! Excellently told. It may interest other contributors that this book was reviewed in the Sunday Press in the UK earlier this Summer, and given consistently very high ratings, as it was considered frank, honest and endearing - though from some of the comments here it obviously does not always appeal to a 'purists' view on dog ownership!

A True Account of Life with a Beloved Dog

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.

A book to which Beagle owners will relate

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.