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Bespotted: My Family's Love Affair with Thirty-Eight Dalmatians
The Sexton family's long love affair with the Dalmatian began in Linda's childhood. There, on a snowy morning in the family home just outside Boston, LInda heard a whimpering coming from the basement. She discovered their first family dog giving birth to a litter. Witnessing the intimate act of birth had a profound effect on the family. Her mother, Anne, used the experience to complete the poem "Live," part of her third collection, titled Live or Die , which would be awarded a Pulitzer Prize. For Linda, the boundless joy of both breed and breeding triggered in her a lifelong love of Dalmatians. All told, thirty–eight Dalmatians will move through her the ones that cheer and support her through difficulty, divorce, and depression; the ones that stay with her as she enters the world of professional breeding and showing of Dals; and, of course, the one true dog of her heart, Gulliver, her most stalwart of canine champions. Bespotted is a page–turning and compelling look at the unique place dogs occupy in our lives. It captures another piece of this literary family's history, taps into the curious and fascinating world of dog showing/dog fancy. Bespotted is an upbeat and commercial memoir by one of the most critically acclaimed memoirists of our time.
285 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2014
13 people are currently reading
752 people want to read
About the author
Linda Gray Sexton
21 books75 followersLinda Gray Sexton was born in Newton, Massachusetts in 1953. As the daughter of the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, Anne Sexton, she grew up in a home filled with books and words and an attention to language, and at an early age she, too, began to write. Afternoons were sometimes spent together with her mother, reading aloud from Anne’s favorite poems.
By the time Linda was an adolescent, she had begun to write poetry and short fiction seriously, and spent many special hours curled up on the sofa in Anne’s study, discussing her own fledgling work as well as her mother’s growing oeuvre. Gradually, Anne began to rely on her daughter’s opinions, and dubbed Linda, “my greatest critic.”
Linda graduated from Harvard in 1975 with a degree in literature, and then continued to live in the Boston area. After the death of her mother, Linda became the literary executor of the estate at twenty-one years old and edited several posthumous books of her mother’s poetry, as well as publishing "Anne Sexton: A Self-Portrait in Letters."
Concentrating at last fully on fiction, she published her first novel, "Rituals," in 1981; "Mirror Images," "Points of Light" and "Private Acts" followed over a ten year period. Points of Light was made into a Hallmark Hall of Fame Special for CBS television and was translated into thirteen languages.
Linda married in 1979, and converted to Judaism before her wedding. She and her husband moved to Manhattan in 1982, when he graduated from the Harvard Business School. In New York
she made a very brief foray into the world of writing soap opera, though throughout she stayed devoted to her love of fiction. But her most important work was raising her two sons, who were born in 1983 and 1984.
Linda left her lifelong home of the east coast in the spring of 1989, and moved her family to Northern California, just in time for the 7.1 Loma Prieta earthquake. There, while working in a soup kitchen, becoming Bat Mitzvah, and running a Meals on Wheels program for her temple, she finished her first memoir, "Searching for Mercy Street: My Journey Back to My Mother," Anne Sexton," which was named a New York Times Notable Book of the Year and was optioned by Miramax Films.
Having tea with film director Martin Scorsese in his home and discussing his interest in her book was a high point of Linda’s career as a writer. "Searching for Mercy Street" was reissued by Counterpoint Press in April 2011.
On the West Coast, with a big enough backyard at last, Linda added three Dalmatians to her family—the type of pet she had when she was a child. She developed a passion for showing them in both the breed and obedience rings, and she bred and then whelped four litters of puppies on her own and began to consider herself a "breeder."
She and her new husband, Brad Clink, are avid sailors on the San Francisco Bay and own a sloop named Mercy Street.
Sexton's second memoir, "Half in Love: Surviving the Legacy of Suicide," is about her struggle with her own mental illness and the legacy of suicide left to her by her mother and her mother’s family. Through the help of family, therapy and medicine, Linda confronted deep-seated issues, outlived her mother and curbed the haunting cycle of suicide she once seemed destined to inherit.
She has finished a new memoir now, one that details her childhood family's life, as well as her own adulthood, as reflected through their relationship with Dalmatians over the years. BESPOTTED: MY FAMILY'S LOVE AFFAIR WITH THIRTY-EIGHT DALMATIANS will be published On September 7, 2014 by Counterpoint Press.
She is now at work on a new novel and lives with her Dalmatians Breeze, Cody and Mac in the Bay Area of San Francisco. Mac is the cover model for the photo on the jacket cover of BESPOTTED.
Visit Linda on her website at lindagraysexton.com
By the time Linda was an adolescent, she had begun to write poetry and short fiction seriously, and spent many special hours curled up on the sofa in Anne’s study, discussing her own fledgling work as well as her mother’s growing oeuvre. Gradually, Anne began to rely on her daughter’s opinions, and dubbed Linda, “my greatest critic.”
Linda graduated from Harvard in 1975 with a degree in literature, and then continued to live in the Boston area. After the death of her mother, Linda became the literary executor of the estate at twenty-one years old and edited several posthumous books of her mother’s poetry, as well as publishing "Anne Sexton: A Self-Portrait in Letters."
Concentrating at last fully on fiction, she published her first novel, "Rituals," in 1981; "Mirror Images," "Points of Light" and "Private Acts" followed over a ten year period. Points of Light was made into a Hallmark Hall of Fame Special for CBS television and was translated into thirteen languages.
Linda married in 1979, and converted to Judaism before her wedding. She and her husband moved to Manhattan in 1982, when he graduated from the Harvard Business School. In New York
she made a very brief foray into the world of writing soap opera, though throughout she stayed devoted to her love of fiction. But her most important work was raising her two sons, who were born in 1983 and 1984.
Linda left her lifelong home of the east coast in the spring of 1989, and moved her family to Northern California, just in time for the 7.1 Loma Prieta earthquake. There, while working in a soup kitchen, becoming Bat Mitzvah, and running a Meals on Wheels program for her temple, she finished her first memoir, "Searching for Mercy Street: My Journey Back to My Mother," Anne Sexton," which was named a New York Times Notable Book of the Year and was optioned by Miramax Films.
Having tea with film director Martin Scorsese in his home and discussing his interest in her book was a high point of Linda’s career as a writer. "Searching for Mercy Street" was reissued by Counterpoint Press in April 2011.
On the West Coast, with a big enough backyard at last, Linda added three Dalmatians to her family—the type of pet she had when she was a child. She developed a passion for showing them in both the breed and obedience rings, and she bred and then whelped four litters of puppies on her own and began to consider herself a "breeder."
She and her new husband, Brad Clink, are avid sailors on the San Francisco Bay and own a sloop named Mercy Street.
Sexton's second memoir, "Half in Love: Surviving the Legacy of Suicide," is about her struggle with her own mental illness and the legacy of suicide left to her by her mother and her mother’s family. Through the help of family, therapy and medicine, Linda confronted deep-seated issues, outlived her mother and curbed the haunting cycle of suicide she once seemed destined to inherit.
She has finished a new memoir now, one that details her childhood family's life, as well as her own adulthood, as reflected through their relationship with Dalmatians over the years. BESPOTTED: MY FAMILY'S LOVE AFFAIR WITH THIRTY-EIGHT DALMATIANS will be published On September 7, 2014 by Counterpoint Press.
She is now at work on a new novel and lives with her Dalmatians Breeze, Cody and Mac in the Bay Area of San Francisco. Mac is the cover model for the photo on the jacket cover of BESPOTTED.
Visit Linda on her website at lindagraysexton.com
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 27, 2014
I won this book through goodreads First Reads. This review is not shaped by the fact that I received this book for free.
This may not have been the best time for me to try to read Bespotted. Bespotted is the memoir of Linda Sexton, who was an owner and lover of dalmatians, showing them in dog shows. As I was about 100 pages into the book, I learned my own beloved dog (a beagle) had cancer and is currently dealing with an array of medical issues. My family would do anything for our old pup. I realize not everyone is the same in what they would do or could do for their animals, but I had a hard time reading this book right now given my own emotions about the life of my dog and how close to death he really is everyday. My review easily may be colored by these emotions.
The book deals with the parade of dalmatians that Sexton had in her life, from the time she was a little girl to the time she was an older woman, having raised children of her own. Sexton introduces us to the world of dog shows, where the spots matter - how the dog looks is key.
I had hoped that the book would go more into the world of dog shows though. Having no experience with them myself, except for what I've seen briefly on TV, it would have been more interesting if the book had focused on this world (I mean... Is it like Dance Moms but for dog lovers? Dog Moms? Hell, Lifetime - I think this could make a good TV show!) I felt like this book assumed I knew more than I did. Because of its breadth, it was also brief. I felt like this book did not delve deeply into emotions or events, but rather skimmed right along the surface, trying to cover as much as possible without really examining any of it. In my humble opinion, the book would have been better had it been more focused.
While this may be the book for dog lovers, Sexton is not the typical dog owner. She breeds them and shows them, an experience many pet owners don't have with their animals. She also makes many decisions with her pets that I can't help but be judgmental about. While some of that is directly related to the world of dog shows and AKC requirements, I couldn't help but think some of it felt like bad rearing of the animal.
*sigh*
Perhaps I shouldn't read memoirs. I'm always so judgmental about them and people's choices. I enjoy reading them, but it's hard to write a review when you're judging more than just the author's grammar, but also her personal choices along the way. Whereas with fiction, judging the story line is a lot less personal. Needless to say, I like reading about other people and their lives and choices.
In end, this is not a bad book. I would have liked it more had it been more detailed about dog shows. And I really do think Lifetime should start a TV show about it.
This may not have been the best time for me to try to read Bespotted. Bespotted is the memoir of Linda Sexton, who was an owner and lover of dalmatians, showing them in dog shows. As I was about 100 pages into the book, I learned my own beloved dog (a beagle) had cancer and is currently dealing with an array of medical issues. My family would do anything for our old pup. I realize not everyone is the same in what they would do or could do for their animals, but I had a hard time reading this book right now given my own emotions about the life of my dog and how close to death he really is everyday. My review easily may be colored by these emotions.
The book deals with the parade of dalmatians that Sexton had in her life, from the time she was a little girl to the time she was an older woman, having raised children of her own. Sexton introduces us to the world of dog shows, where the spots matter - how the dog looks is key.
I had hoped that the book would go more into the world of dog shows though. Having no experience with them myself, except for what I've seen briefly on TV, it would have been more interesting if the book had focused on this world (I mean... Is it like Dance Moms but for dog lovers? Dog Moms? Hell, Lifetime - I think this could make a good TV show!) I felt like this book assumed I knew more than I did. Because of its breadth, it was also brief. I felt like this book did not delve deeply into emotions or events, but rather skimmed right along the surface, trying to cover as much as possible without really examining any of it. In my humble opinion, the book would have been better had it been more focused.
While this may be the book for dog lovers, Sexton is not the typical dog owner. She breeds them and shows them, an experience many pet owners don't have with their animals. She also makes many decisions with her pets that I can't help but be judgmental about. While some of that is directly related to the world of dog shows and AKC requirements, I couldn't help but think some of it felt like bad rearing of the animal.
*sigh*
Perhaps I shouldn't read memoirs. I'm always so judgmental about them and people's choices. I enjoy reading them, but it's hard to write a review when you're judging more than just the author's grammar, but also her personal choices along the way. Whereas with fiction, judging the story line is a lot less personal. Needless to say, I like reading about other people and their lives and choices.
In end, this is not a bad book. I would have liked it more had it been more detailed about dog shows. And I really do think Lifetime should start a TV show about it.
November 13, 2019
Catching up on reviews again --
I was very disappointed in this book. I owned a rescued dalmatian for years, and I have a very soft spot for the breed -- they are delightful dogs, aside from all the barkbarkBARKING. And since Sexton is a poet and novelist, I was hoping for some delightful tales of the antics and foibles of her little spotties.
Alas, no.
Sexton did talk about the dogs she's had through her life, and aabout some of her activities with them, but her recounting was remarkably impersonal and unemotional. For instance, she told us about her success in obedience competition and even the scores she obtained, but she didn't tell us anything about how hard it was to train specific behaviors or what that dog was good at or bad at, or detail any parts of training that she especially enjoyed or hated, or whatever. I've competed and trained both my own dogs and others, and I would have loved to **feel** her experiences -- but the feeling was remarkably absent.
And most of the book was like that.
And then she recounted two issues that I couldn't forgive her for. First, at one time she was keeping two bitches that became aggressive towards each other. This is fairly common in many breeds -- it's easier to keep an opposite-sex pair than a same-sex pair, either a male pair or a female pair, because same-sex pairs will often become aggressive. And instead of recognizing this widely known fact and simply rehoming one of the dogs, she kept them together long enough for one of them to be seriously injured and then put them both down. Fie on her. And second... well, actually, right now I can't remember what the second issue was. Hmmm. It wasn't the issue of euthanizing deaf dals, though that *is* dumb -- that was widely practiced and even insisted on within the dal community for years, so I don't hold Sexton personally responsible for that one. Well, if I think of the second problem later, I'll add it in!
Anyway -- dals are rambunctious, energetic, emotional, and very often silly. But you'd have a hard time telling any of that from this book.
I was very disappointed in this book. I owned a rescued dalmatian for years, and I have a very soft spot for the breed -- they are delightful dogs, aside from all the barkbarkBARKING. And since Sexton is a poet and novelist, I was hoping for some delightful tales of the antics and foibles of her little spotties.
Alas, no.
Sexton did talk about the dogs she's had through her life, and aabout some of her activities with them, but her recounting was remarkably impersonal and unemotional. For instance, she told us about her success in obedience competition and even the scores she obtained, but she didn't tell us anything about how hard it was to train specific behaviors or what that dog was good at or bad at, or detail any parts of training that she especially enjoyed or hated, or whatever. I've competed and trained both my own dogs and others, and I would have loved to **feel** her experiences -- but the feeling was remarkably absent.
And most of the book was like that.
And then she recounted two issues that I couldn't forgive her for. First, at one time she was keeping two bitches that became aggressive towards each other. This is fairly common in many breeds -- it's easier to keep an opposite-sex pair than a same-sex pair, either a male pair or a female pair, because same-sex pairs will often become aggressive. And instead of recognizing this widely known fact and simply rehoming one of the dogs, she kept them together long enough for one of them to be seriously injured and then put them both down. Fie on her. And second... well, actually, right now I can't remember what the second issue was. Hmmm. It wasn't the issue of euthanizing deaf dals, though that *is* dumb -- that was widely practiced and even insisted on within the dal community for years, so I don't hold Sexton personally responsible for that one. Well, if I think of the second problem later, I'll add it in!
Anyway -- dals are rambunctious, energetic, emotional, and very often silly. But you'd have a hard time telling any of that from this book.
January 25, 2015
I am not a huge fan of animal breeding or pet shows but the author clearly has a deep love and passion for dogs. I think they are pretty awesome too. Bespotted is an emotional and interesting memoir. Great for the dog lover but also just a terrific read. Pretty perfect book for gift giving as well.
March 2, 2019
A book about family and generations of Dalmatians. This was an interesting read about a different kind of dog breed and a bit about showing dogs.
May 27, 2017
This fast-paced and inspiring memoir is a glance at another side of the poet Anne Sexton's family life--a portrait of their deep connection and love for Dalmations. The dogs are portrayed as "therapy dogs" because more than once they pulled the author's mother out of a deep depression, providing joy and solace, while as Linda says, the family felt they were often "dancing with death." This compelling book offers a glimpse into the power of pet therapy, written by a master storyteller. The reader also gets a glimpse into the personality of the Dalmation, portrayed as an "always-hungry food thief." Finally, Linda shares the pain of losing a beloved dog and what that can do to a household. This book is a gem for anyone who has ever had a love affair with a four-legged animal. This page-turner is highly recommended for yourself and/or as a gift.
September 9, 2014
Bespotted is a must read for dog lovers. I love the way Linda Gray Sexton writes. Her love affair with Dalmatians could be a love affair with any dog, any breed--everyone who loves dogs can relate. Also, I love the journey; the learning curve we all been through with dog ownership, the quest for the perfect dog, until finally realizing all life has worth, has something to offer and is worth saving.
July 31, 2021
Linda is the daughter of Pulitzer-Prize-winning poet, Anne Sexton.
When Linda was a child, she witnessed their family Dalmatian giving birth to a litter. The family was profoundly effected by the birth of the puppies, and thus, started their long-time association with the breed.
All told, Linda shares life with 38 Dalmatians, including her heart dog, Gulliver. The story shows how people can be positively influenced by the animals and how these Dalmatians added to her life.
When Linda was a child, she witnessed their family Dalmatian giving birth to a litter. The family was profoundly effected by the birth of the puppies, and thus, started their long-time association with the breed.
All told, Linda shares life with 38 Dalmatians, including her heart dog, Gulliver. The story shows how people can be positively influenced by the animals and how these Dalmatians added to her life.
November 14, 2017
Bespotted tells the genuine memoir of Linda who's mother, Anne Sexton (who wrote wonderful fairy tales and poems (won the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 1967 for her book Live or Die. ) battled with depression and how their very first dalmatian soothed her inner turmoil and helped her in the battle to stay alive.
The book introduces us, readers to the dalmatians smile and tenderness. It does touch on the subject of detecting deafness of the puppies and how litters are handled. It is a really well build book of time periods and it tells amazingly how a god senses the changes in people and how they act accordingly. how Gulliver's temper changed when the family itself was in a rut, and how he became mild and loving again when the emotions settled and Linda's own depression subsided.
I know firsthand how depression affects ones mentality and everyday life so her portrayal of the way she didn't want to step into the kitchen and cook and do simple day to day tasks others don't even thing about much because 'whats the point?' and how much an animals love can mean to someone.
I the fact that she honestly tells how her life got rebuild and that she could start to feel good in her skin again. I think this is an important work for those who seek the subject 'life with and after depression' and those who want to know more about depression (without casting the usual judgement of 'you are just lazy').
I myself, who had a fox terrier, a German shepherd and a dash hound, knew that I'll be a snotty mess while reading this but I never thought I would grow so fond of a dog I never even met such as Gulliver while I was reading. he really did have a huge presence and this way not only in Linda's life but anyone will fall in love with him who reads this.
I was so happy for the firework puppies and for how Linda was back on track and experiencing again that tremulous excitement, and the way she finally started to shift her focus from self explanatory to shine light on the litter.
the rainbow puppies are the most adorable thing to read about and i wish every breeder was as responsible and sensible as Linda and her kennel.
The book introduces us, readers to the dalmatians smile and tenderness. It does touch on the subject of detecting deafness of the puppies and how litters are handled. It is a really well build book of time periods and it tells amazingly how a god senses the changes in people and how they act accordingly. how Gulliver's temper changed when the family itself was in a rut, and how he became mild and loving again when the emotions settled and Linda's own depression subsided.
I know firsthand how depression affects ones mentality and everyday life so her portrayal of the way she didn't want to step into the kitchen and cook and do simple day to day tasks others don't even thing about much because 'whats the point?' and how much an animals love can mean to someone.
I the fact that she honestly tells how her life got rebuild and that she could start to feel good in her skin again. I think this is an important work for those who seek the subject 'life with and after depression' and those who want to know more about depression (without casting the usual judgement of 'you are just lazy').
I myself, who had a fox terrier, a German shepherd and a dash hound, knew that I'll be a snotty mess while reading this but I never thought I would grow so fond of a dog I never even met such as Gulliver while I was reading. he really did have a huge presence and this way not only in Linda's life but anyone will fall in love with him who reads this.
I was so happy for the firework puppies and for how Linda was back on track and experiencing again that tremulous excitement, and the way she finally started to shift her focus from self explanatory to shine light on the litter.
the rainbow puppies are the most adorable thing to read about and i wish every breeder was as responsible and sensible as Linda and her kennel.
November 9, 2017
I feel bad for writing a poor review of any book, let alone something as deeply personal and visceral as this one surely was for Ms. Sexton. However, I really did not enjoy this book. I read some reviews that said this was negative, depressing, and didn't focus on the dogs very much. I tried to ignore those and give this a try, but sadly, those themes remained true for the entire book. I am a dalmatian lover, owner, and fancier, so I was so thrilled to read a memoir dedicated specifically to my spotted breed.
However, this book was very difficult to get through. I found it difficult to relate with the author, and the book was so depressing without much point than to share sadness. There was no unifying point or message or theme, and her memoir seemed to go back and forth between random storytelling with bursts of dog moments, to what felt like a journal entry. Her "cast of characters," so to speak, was thrown in assuming the reader would know these people, and it was frustrating to try to follow her friends and family without proper background.
I found this hard to relate to, difficult to read, and not very engaging. I empathize dearly with Ms. Sexton for her love of dalmatians and the struggles that come with losing our heart dogs. However, I do not recommend this book, as it was full of depressing stories that didn't serve much purpose, and I found the narrative hard to follow.
However, this book was very difficult to get through. I found it difficult to relate with the author, and the book was so depressing without much point than to share sadness. There was no unifying point or message or theme, and her memoir seemed to go back and forth between random storytelling with bursts of dog moments, to what felt like a journal entry. Her "cast of characters," so to speak, was thrown in assuming the reader would know these people, and it was frustrating to try to follow her friends and family without proper background.
I found this hard to relate to, difficult to read, and not very engaging. I empathize dearly with Ms. Sexton for her love of dalmatians and the struggles that come with losing our heart dogs. However, I do not recommend this book, as it was full of depressing stories that didn't serve much purpose, and I found the narrative hard to follow.
February 9, 2023
I love the way Linda writes. I first became a fan of Linda’s mother, the famous poet, Anne Sexton. I found Linda’s books from ordering Anne’s. I have never been disappointed. She learned the gift of writing from her mother. Bespotted is a book about her family’s love of Dalmatians and the effect they had on her and her family’s lives. I highly recommend!
July 10, 2018
It's no fault of the author's, but some of the very same aspects of her voice and perspective that made her previous memoir so compelling, made this one more of a struggle for me.
December 6, 2018
If you are a dog lover you’ll love this book, if you’ve had Dalmatians in your life you won’t be able to put it down.
August 31, 2022
Was expecting a bit more dog show stuff but still an enjoyable read.
February 20, 2015
This book evoked some strong feelings in me, both positive and negative. In general, it was well-written. Ms. Sexton is a capable, though not especially gifted, writer.
I breed and show pedigreed cats, and am very familiar with the world of pedigreed show dogs as well. For this reason, I was particularly excited to start this book. I imagine that the sections of the book describing some of the travails of showing and breeding would be of limited interest to the garden variety dog or cat owner. This is a memoir of how dogs, specifically Dalmatians, shaped Ms. Sexton's life. And when it's good, it's very good, but when it's bad, it's horrid.
Ms. Sexton's love for Dalmatians began in her childhood, when her parents acquired a Dalmatian bitch, partly because Ms. Sexton's mother, the renowned poet Anne Sexton, had a best friend who owned a Dalmatian. Ms. Sexton's parents were negligent dog owners, allowing their dog to roam freely, with the predictable disastrous results. Ms. Sexton's mother had severe mental illness, and Ms. Sexton indicates that the Dalmatians (each acquired quickly following the previous one's death) helped her mother to face her demons.
As a young adult, Ms. Sexton thought about acquiring a dog of her own, but grad school, moving due to her husband's job choices, and the birth of her sons kept her busy. Ms. Sexton attempts to satisfy her need for a dog by getting two Abyssinian kittens, but they are apparently insufficient, as they are rarely mentioned after their acquisition. Ms. Sexton finally acquires a young adult Dalmatian from reputable breeders in northern California; Rhiannon is initially described as "show quality," but it turns out that her conformation faults preclude real success in the show ring. Ms. Sexton discovers a true bond with Rhiannon, and derives much pleasure from that bond as well as the success she has with Rhiannon as an obedience dog.
The problems in keeping dogs start to present themselves. Ms. Sexton breeds Rhiannon, keeping a bitch puppy (Tia) from her litter. As Tia matures, Rhiannon and Tia often fight, sometimes viciously, needing multiple veterinary visits to suture lacerations. Distraught, Ms. Sexton turns to a ... dog psychic! Huh? By this point, she is fairly well-acquired with experienced Dalmatian breeders in the northern CA area. This is but one example of Ms. Sexton's confusing and irrational choices. After the psychic doesn't work out, Ms. Sexton consults a dog behaviorist, who is not much more helpful. At no point does she consult with other breeders. Ultimately, after a particularly savage fight between the two dogs, Ms. Sexton has both of them euthanized. Another questionable decision.
Meanwhile, Ms. Sexton has yet another Dalmatian - Gulliver, who becomes her "heart dog" as she descends into mental illness. Ms. Sexton appears fragile and needy. Her marriage is, not surprisingly, falling apart. Ms. Sexton reveals that she suffers from bipolar disorder and casually mentions her numerous suicide attempts. Through it all, Gulliver is a loyal (sometimes her only) friend. Ms. Sexton shows Gulliver as a young dog with great success, but her mental problems preclude her from showing him regularly.
Perhaps Gulliver has some sympathy pains. He becomes neurotic, just like his mistress. He is aggressive toward other dogs, alarmingly so. Ms. Sexton begins a new romantic relationship. (It occurred to me more than once how any man could find her appealing, since her mental problems are so severe and pervasive.) In one part of the book, Ms. Sexton describes a near-calamity in which she had Gulliver on a Flexi-lead when he had a run-on with two smaller dogs. Anyone with a more than a smattering of dog knowledge knows that Flexi leads are contraindicated for a dog like Gulliver. Ms. Sexton really should know better, and her ignorance of these sorts of issues put her and others in danger.
Gulliver ultimately dies, at a relatively advanced age. Ms. Sexton is torn apart. I never found Gulliver to be the sort of dog I would want; in some ways, he was a Dalmatian version of "Marley and Me." Ms. Sexton, true to form, is excessive in her grieving, and describes it in great detail.
Ms. Sexton then acquires yet another Dalmatian (Breeze), one that is very successful in the conformation ring.
Ms. Sexton breeds Breeze, and Breeze's pregnancy has quite a few complications. One of the complications is that Ms. Sexton remains extremely neurotic. She does things during Breeze's gestation that the vast majority of breeders just don't do. The litter is ultimately born, the puppies are raised, and one by one, they are placed ... except for one, who remains behind.
All in all, I found this book to be reasonably entertaining, but I found Ms. Sexton to be self-absorbed, emotionally needy, and just plain crazy too much of the time.
I breed and show pedigreed cats, and am very familiar with the world of pedigreed show dogs as well. For this reason, I was particularly excited to start this book. I imagine that the sections of the book describing some of the travails of showing and breeding would be of limited interest to the garden variety dog or cat owner. This is a memoir of how dogs, specifically Dalmatians, shaped Ms. Sexton's life. And when it's good, it's very good, but when it's bad, it's horrid.
Ms. Sexton's love for Dalmatians began in her childhood, when her parents acquired a Dalmatian bitch, partly because Ms. Sexton's mother, the renowned poet Anne Sexton, had a best friend who owned a Dalmatian. Ms. Sexton's parents were negligent dog owners, allowing their dog to roam freely, with the predictable disastrous results. Ms. Sexton's mother had severe mental illness, and Ms. Sexton indicates that the Dalmatians (each acquired quickly following the previous one's death) helped her mother to face her demons.
As a young adult, Ms. Sexton thought about acquiring a dog of her own, but grad school, moving due to her husband's job choices, and the birth of her sons kept her busy. Ms. Sexton attempts to satisfy her need for a dog by getting two Abyssinian kittens, but they are apparently insufficient, as they are rarely mentioned after their acquisition. Ms. Sexton finally acquires a young adult Dalmatian from reputable breeders in northern California; Rhiannon is initially described as "show quality," but it turns out that her conformation faults preclude real success in the show ring. Ms. Sexton discovers a true bond with Rhiannon, and derives much pleasure from that bond as well as the success she has with Rhiannon as an obedience dog.
The problems in keeping dogs start to present themselves. Ms. Sexton breeds Rhiannon, keeping a bitch puppy (Tia) from her litter. As Tia matures, Rhiannon and Tia often fight, sometimes viciously, needing multiple veterinary visits to suture lacerations. Distraught, Ms. Sexton turns to a ... dog psychic! Huh? By this point, she is fairly well-acquired with experienced Dalmatian breeders in the northern CA area. This is but one example of Ms. Sexton's confusing and irrational choices. After the psychic doesn't work out, Ms. Sexton consults a dog behaviorist, who is not much more helpful. At no point does she consult with other breeders. Ultimately, after a particularly savage fight between the two dogs, Ms. Sexton has both of them euthanized. Another questionable decision.
Meanwhile, Ms. Sexton has yet another Dalmatian - Gulliver, who becomes her "heart dog" as she descends into mental illness. Ms. Sexton appears fragile and needy. Her marriage is, not surprisingly, falling apart. Ms. Sexton reveals that she suffers from bipolar disorder and casually mentions her numerous suicide attempts. Through it all, Gulliver is a loyal (sometimes her only) friend. Ms. Sexton shows Gulliver as a young dog with great success, but her mental problems preclude her from showing him regularly.
Perhaps Gulliver has some sympathy pains. He becomes neurotic, just like his mistress. He is aggressive toward other dogs, alarmingly so. Ms. Sexton begins a new romantic relationship. (It occurred to me more than once how any man could find her appealing, since her mental problems are so severe and pervasive.) In one part of the book, Ms. Sexton describes a near-calamity in which she had Gulliver on a Flexi-lead when he had a run-on with two smaller dogs. Anyone with a more than a smattering of dog knowledge knows that Flexi leads are contraindicated for a dog like Gulliver. Ms. Sexton really should know better, and her ignorance of these sorts of issues put her and others in danger.
Gulliver ultimately dies, at a relatively advanced age. Ms. Sexton is torn apart. I never found Gulliver to be the sort of dog I would want; in some ways, he was a Dalmatian version of "Marley and Me." Ms. Sexton, true to form, is excessive in her grieving, and describes it in great detail.
Ms. Sexton then acquires yet another Dalmatian (Breeze), one that is very successful in the conformation ring.
Ms. Sexton breeds Breeze, and Breeze's pregnancy has quite a few complications. One of the complications is that Ms. Sexton remains extremely neurotic. She does things during Breeze's gestation that the vast majority of breeders just don't do. The litter is ultimately born, the puppies are raised, and one by one, they are placed ... except for one, who remains behind.
All in all, I found this book to be reasonably entertaining, but I found Ms. Sexton to be self-absorbed, emotionally needy, and just plain crazy too much of the time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2016
. In reading this book about Linda Gray Sexton’s Dalmations, I was initially irritated by her propensity to blame others (such as her parents for letting their dogs run loose and get hit by cars, her irritation with the breeder who introduced her to dog showing, claiming that the woman had pawned off a dog on her as top quality, her infighting at dog shows, and finally that she put down her “beloved” females for fighting when anyone knows two females often fight for primacy and Sexton could have solved the problem by rehoming one of them instead of deciding they were just “aggressive”, not to mention the execution of deaf Dalmation pups which she insists the Dalmation Society demands, though now that practice is controversial. )I felt more forgiving of Sexton on learning half-way through the book that she was diagnosed as bi-polar, had three suicide attempts, suffered from clinical depressions and that her husband left her (again, blaming, Sexton says “for another woman” not crediting that he might clearly have been exhausted by her obsessions and her lack of attention to his wishes—obtaining dogs without even telling him, involving herself so deeply in the world of dog showing that she rarely was home with him and their sons). In a way, this book is as much about Sexton’s psychiatric problems, as it is about her dogs which she views as providers of emotional therapy. As Anne Sexton’s daughter, Sexton certainly was traumatized by her mother’s ongoing mental illness and her suicide when Sexton was 14. One feels a mixture of sympathy and frustration with Sexton who, it is plain, fails to comprehend much of her own neuroses. Ultimately, she finds a new husband who is supportive of her and her dogs and it looks like a more or less happy ending.
March 3, 2015
This very well-written book documents the dogs who have been a part of the author's life, and describes how each relationship was different. Undoubtedly this author is an expert on the dalmatian breed after owning so many, breeding them, and showing them, and she knows even though they can be rambunctious wanderers, they can also be extremely loving and loyal animals as well. My first pet was a dalmatian who loved nothing more than to get free and run across the very busy street we lived on when I was a child, so I was interested in hearing about dogs who had similar personalities as well as dalmatians that didn't feel the need to wander. The pictures included before each chapter are adorable, of course, and show that even though dalmatians all have spots, they definitely do not all look exactly the same. The author was very frank about her own emotional struggles and how having a specific dog would help when she was ailing. She also wrote a lot about the world of show dogs, which I knew very little about and found interesting. She also has bred several of her females in order to create more potential show dogs and also to sell to families as pets, and talks about this extensively as well. I actually learned quite a bit about several things by reading this book and I was also touched emotionally several times. I felt the author was completely authentic and I wish her nothing but the best after reading about her life. Thank you for the First Reads contest copy.
December 30, 2014
I didn’t buy Bespotted out of an interest in dogs. No, my interest in this book stemmed from my interest in the memoir genre, having read Linda Gray Sexton’s two previous memoirs, Searching for Mercy Street and Half in Love, and having found both books to be moving and insightful. From Bespotted, I learned a lot about the struggles and rewards of dog ownership, but what mattered most to me was how owning dogs fit into the story of a life: growing from childhood to adulthood, getting married, having children, suffering personal setbacks, and overcoming obstacles. The portrait of each dog was lovingly drawn, enabling me to see and understand how they provided the companionship, even therapy, Sexton needed at critical points in her life. The information on breeding and showing dogs was presented in a way that was intriguing and enlightening for someone who has never even owned a dog, let alone bred or shown them. Bespotted is a compelling, memorable book, and I hope that people will read it regardless of their interest in or familiarity with dogs.
November 9, 2014
This review is from a book won through a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
Bespotted: my family's love affair with thirty-eight dalmations is author Linda Gray Sexton's memoir of her lifelong love affair with dalmations.
I expected to enjoy this book, because I am a dog lover and enjoy reading true stories about dogs. I didn't expect to experience the range of emotions that I did while reading this book. I learned about the inside world of purebred dog breeding and showing. I cried and laughed as I related to the author's experiences with her pets, especially her beloved Gulliver. The author also opens up and shares a great deal of her personal struggles and how she was able to face, and eventally overcome, them with the love of her dogs.
I recommend this book for any dog lover.
I also feel that readers who enjoy memoirs, whether or not they may be a dog lover, would enjoy this book.
Bespotted: my family's love affair with thirty-eight dalmations is author Linda Gray Sexton's memoir of her lifelong love affair with dalmations.
I expected to enjoy this book, because I am a dog lover and enjoy reading true stories about dogs. I didn't expect to experience the range of emotions that I did while reading this book. I learned about the inside world of purebred dog breeding and showing. I cried and laughed as I related to the author's experiences with her pets, especially her beloved Gulliver. The author also opens up and shares a great deal of her personal struggles and how she was able to face, and eventally overcome, them with the love of her dogs.
I recommend this book for any dog lover.
I also feel that readers who enjoy memoirs, whether or not they may be a dog lover, would enjoy this book.
January 2, 2015
This book is a memoir chronicling the life of the author and how she battled through her depression with the help of a faithful Dalmation named Gulliver. It is a lighthearted read that provided me with much information on how dogs can indeed help a person overcome their depression and give them a reason for living when life is becoming hard for them to bear. Linda got super-involved with the AKC breeding program and the world of show dogs. This provided her with stability when her home life was falling apart. The story is a story of hope, challenge and ultimate triumph over inherited depression (through her mother, Anne Sexton) and the healing power of canine friends. An excellent read for the dog lover!
May 16, 2016
This memoir was an enjoyable read - I'm not familiar with Anne Sexton's Pulitzer Prize winning poetry (Author's mother) - but the mother/daughter shared experience of depression was familiar - though I'm grateful not to have experienced suicide as well. The healing companionship of a dog was well expressed - my Abbey is greatly missed. Not being a show dog person, that aspect of her life was interesting, if a bit OCD. I'm grateful she finally accepted a "less than perfect" Dalmatian as a loving companion and pet.
January 29, 2015
I won a free copy of this book through a First Reads Giveaway on Goodreads, and is probably the best I've won since writing this review.
I was not in the mood for a depressing book when I read this. There was almost no happiness in this book. The author had to deal with the deaths of her family, friends, and a lot of adorable dogs. But I loved this book anyway. It was very well-written, and I always love dog books (even though they make me cry.) This book made me want a Dalmation.
I was not in the mood for a depressing book when I read this. There was almost no happiness in this book. The author had to deal with the deaths of her family, friends, and a lot of adorable dogs. But I loved this book anyway. It was very well-written, and I always love dog books (even though they make me cry.) This book made me want a Dalmation.
January 26, 2015
2.5/5 stars.
Wanted to like it more because Sexton's gone through a lot, but I felt like Sexton's struggles and the mentioning of all the different Dals were not well-balanced (as in, I couldn't emotionally invest in both or at least one party completely).
Wanted to like it more because Sexton's gone through a lot, but I felt like Sexton's struggles and the mentioning of all the different Dals were not well-balanced (as in, I couldn't emotionally invest in both or at least one party completely).
March 2, 2015
A memoir of Linda Gray Sexton and how she became involved in the world of show dogs and nice insight into how dogs are so importamt to our lives.
May 11, 2015
TRIGGER WARNING: dogs die.
an affectionate story of a woman's love affair with a succession of dalmatians.
an affectionate story of a woman's love affair with a succession of dalmatians.
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