The Observer's Book of Dogs

The Observer's Pocket Series #8

by Catherine G. Sutton

1979. Reprinted. 192 pages. No dust jacket. Pictorial paper covered boards. Black and white photographs throughout. Pages and binding are presentable with no major defects. Minor issues present such as mild cracking, inscriptions, inserts, light foxing, tanning and thumb marking. Overall a good condition item. Boards have mild shelf wear with light rubbing and corner bumping. Some light marking and sunning.

190 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[Pete daPixie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bimbo was a mongrel. He was my friend when we first met in the late 50's. I never knew who his owner was. Nobody took him for walkies. He was always out wandering on his own. We would sit on the pavement together and dig the wild. I knew then that I wanted a dog, but my parents owned a shop, so it just wasn't on. Can I have a dog? I mithered for the next 6 years, until finally we moved into a normal house. Can I have a dog now? Drip, drip, drip. When they finally gave in I was 12. I now had to choose what breed of dog. So I went out and bought this book, although it says that this version was published in 1984, mine was bought twenty years before.
I read up on every breed. I was told it wasn't to be a big dog, in case I settled on a Gt Dane. I settled on a Golden Retriever. Very common today, but back then I'd never seen one. I want one of these, and I'll call it Rusty. Mother objected to a dog. It had to be a bitch. Holy Mary mother of Jesus...dogs were dirty and cocked their legs up lamp posts!
Whatever...mother and sister even pitched in with the name, she was called Suzy. So I remember when rock was young, me and Suzy had so much fun. I could walk her anywhere, never with a lead on. We did a paper round together for a few years, and she delivered some herself.
I've now had five Golden's...today I have a dog...and no he doesn't pee up lamp posts...and yeah, his name is Rusty.