An Eagle in the Airing Cupboard: More True Tales from an Animal Sanctuary

An Otter on the Aga #2

by Rex Harper

AN EAGLE IN THE AIRING CUPBOARD picks up where Rex Harpers first book, AN OTTER ON THE AGA, left off. It follows the fortunes of the Cornish RSPCA centre through one of its most testing twelve months. Once more it is a mixture of funny, touching and sometimes moving animal stories. And once more it features a cast of unforgettable characters, like Alfie and Blue, two hideously mistreated greyhounds that are rehabilitated at the farm, as well as the return of old favourites from Rex's first book, including his loyal dog Moss. Throughout, Rex evokes the sights, smells, sounds and spirit of the Cornish countryside in all its timeless beauty. He also encounters sickening cases of animal cruelty committed by humans unfit to care for any living thing. Funny, warm and evocative, it is a book that is, once more, set to melt and occasionally break the hearts of animal lovers everywhere.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals

352 pages, Paperback

First published July 10, 2008

About the author

Rex Harper MBE spent over 45 years actively involved in animal welfare in Cornwall

Reviews

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been feeling poorly for about a week now, and about the only nice thing about it was that this book happened to drop into my hands. It was an island of bliss to escape to when my hot and addled brain could barely concentrate on anything.

Rex Harper, the author of the book , is warden of an RSPCA animal sanctuary in Cornwall. He’s a lovely man. He writes with such fond respect of his family and work colleagues, and the various animals that come under the protection of his organisation. It’s not a sugary read. He’s dealing with dysfunctional owners and animals in distress. But he does so with a matter-of-fact calmness, and nearly all the stories have positive outcomes.

I think my favourite story was about a little bitch called Titch. Rescued from a vile situation, and nursed back to health, she no longer really trusted humans. Instead she struck up a deep friendship with another dog that Rex was fostering - a German shepherd called Kaiser – who had had a similarly abusive start in life. They became best friends, and had the run of the Harpers' farm – to live out their lives together in peace and contentment. It was typical of Rex and his wife to give these problematic animals a good home. Throughout the book Rex is very modest about his work. He never makes a song and a dance about what he is doing… but he is obviously ace at his job, with a deep understanding and love of animals.

The beautiful Cornish countryside makes a lovely background to the book, as do the flavours of the changing seasons, but most of all it is the stories about the animals – funny, sad, charming and endearing - which really grab the reader.

An easy read. Just a great pleasure for anyone who loves animals...

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable and interesting look at the highs and lows of the work of the RSPCA.

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book that I read from Rex Harper . I could read more stories . The animal cruelty parts was very hard to read for me . A way of life of total dedication to the welfare of animals ,so much work and accomplishments.

[Crystal Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a BIG animal lover I LOVED this book ☺️🤗💜