A Boy I Knew and Four Dogs

By Laurence Hutton

First published in 1898, this delightful true story, is a biography of a boy growing up in affluent style in 19th century America. Written by famed essayist Laurence Hutton, this book is a snapshot of elite living in a bygone time. Packed full of illustrations and photos, as we follow the author from the hot, endless summer of childhood in the United States to visit family members in St. Andrews in Scotland. This text has been republished here for its historical and cultural significance. Including a new introduction on dogs in fiction.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Vintage Dog Books
• Release date: Jul 19, 2017
• ISBN: 9781473349681

Book preview

A Boy I Knew and Four Dogs

by

Laurence Hutton

Profusely Illustrated

Copyright © 2013 Read Books Ltd.

This book is copyright and may not be

reproduced or copied in any way without

the express permission of the publisher in writing

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Contents

Dogs in Fiction

INTRODUCTORY NOTE

A BOY I KNEW

WHISKIE AN EAU DE VIE

FOUR DOGS

TO LADDIE PRUYN, ESQ.

Transcriber’s Note

THACKERAY AND THE BOY

Dogs in Fiction

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

- Will Rogers

We have had a long and complex relationship with our canine companions, and dogs have not always been the cherished and adored animals that they are today. Prior to the eighteenth century, most dogs were kept not as pets, but primarily for working, hunting and guarding. In the oldest sayings about dogs, they are in fact infrequently portrayed as faithful, loyal creatures – but more often appear as vicious and ravening beasts. ‘To throw someone to the dogs’ (which first appeared in 1556) is to cast them into ruin, and the later phrase of ‘Dog-eat-dog’ (1794) depicts a world that is cruel and self-serving. Perhaps the most renowned of these images of dogs as voracious creatures is ‘the dogs of war’ of Shakespeare’s Julius Ceasar, used to express the unleashed savagery accompanying battle.

Unsurprisingly given this reputation, dogs generally lived rather wretched lives until the middle of the nineteenth century. Little by little however, their status and esteem improved – and this has been reflected in literature and language ever since. From the mid-seventeenth century onwards, words describing their new role as pets started to appear, including ‘dog-baskets’, ‘dog-biscuits’, ‘dog-food’ and even ‘dog-doctors.’ The first reference to the dog as ‘man’s best friend’ appeared in 1841, just as dogs were becoming sentimentalised, and even anthropomorphised animals. By this point, they were seen to have personalities and feelings, rather than mere workers or carriers of disease and rabies... and this reputation has only been strengthened in the present day.

The amount of fictional-literature including dogs is particularly striking – far outnumbering their age-old enemies; the cats. Perhaps the oldest and most famous example of a dog in fiction comes from The Odyssey however. This is Homer’s epic poem, in part a sequel to the Iliad, believed to have been composed near the end of the eighth-century BCE. It contains one of the first dogs ever to be named in Western literature; Argos – the most devoted and dependable companion a man (or woman) could ask for. When Odysseus departs on his travels, Argos waits for him to return for twenty long years. On the hero’s homecoming, the steadfast hound is the only one able to recognise the peripatetic protagonist. Having finally been re-united with his master, Argos – by now a very old dog, is able to die in peace.

Episodes of canine loyalty are peppered throughout fiction and real-life alike; take the legend of ‘Greyfriars Bobby’ in nineteenth-century Edinburgh, who supposedly spent fourteen years guarding the grave of his owner, until he died himself on 14th January 1872. Even more heart-rending is the tale of Old Yeller, the 1956 children’s novel written by Fred Gipson. The golden dog saves its human family on several occasions (including rescuing the youngest-son from a she-bear, his brother from some wild hogs, and the mother from a loafer wolf), and they become deeply attached. Old Yeller becomes infected with rabies during his fight with the wolf, and his heartbroken keeper Travis, is forced to part with his beloved pet. In Jack London’s affecting tale, The Call of the Wild, ‘Buck’ the St. Bernard-Scotch Collie, demonstrates to himself and his owner just how powerful love can be – even in the face of utmost tragedy.

Depictions of dogs in fiction are not always so sad, and they often provide the central character with a necessary partner in adventure. Where would Tintin be without Snowy? And likewise, Toto proves himself as Dorothy’s unfaltering friend in her travels to meet The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Hagrid’s large, slobbering and incredibly loving ‘Fang’ in the recent Harry Potter books is a consistent favourite of young-fans. Sometimes though, the dog itself steals the limelight, as in Eric Knight’s Lassie Come-Home – the celebrated tale of a Rough Collie’s trek over many miles to be reunited with the boy she loves. Even the literary greats, such as Steinbeck and Virginia Woolf have written books about dogs. But given their uneven historical reputation, why is it that these canines promote such an emotional reaction from today’s readers?

In their role as pets and companions, the personalities of dogs have indeed been recognised and appreciated – in a way hitherto impossible given their working roles. Dogs are able to teach humans about the qualities we value most; unconditional love, loyalty and resiliency, all without asking for anything in return. When one is greeted at the front door by his or her dog, the dog is always happy to see you – focusing on the present moment, and the beauty of life. It is very hard to be lonely with a dog around. Negative feelings are always let go, and grudges are non-existent. It is often said that dogs also have the ability to sense emotions and the smallest of non-verbal cues, learning much about their loved-ones and companions. If they are given useful roles and tasks, they contribute to their pack’s well-being, and every dog that is brought into the home is able to affect the owner’s life profoundly. Many people claim their greatest relationships and most cherished lessons have come from their dogs; love, loyalty and living in the moment.

Whereas cats in literature are often portrayed as cunning, surefooted and competent (think of Puss in Boots, T. S. Eliot’s McCavity, Lewis Caroll’s Cheshire Cat that knowingly grins and speaks in riddles, or the mischievous Cat in the Hat), dogs are simpler, more unassuming creatures – and the ones which produce the most affection. Their perceived qualities, of wisdom, tenderness, compassion, kindness, strength of character, fidelity and valour, are qualities we all aspire to. Furthermore, dogs (as opposed to cats) demand a lasting interaction. In the same manner as a great old book,