The Dog Who Wouldn't Be

The Dog Who Wouldn't Be is a memoir by Canadian author Farley Mowat about his childhood in Saskatchewan during the 1920s and 1930s, focusing on his relationship with an unusual hunting dog named Mutt. The book chronicles their adventures together through Mowat's boyhood years on the Canadian prairies. Mutt defies conventional dog behavior in numerous ways, refusing to act like a typical canine and displaying traits more commonly associated with humans. Their experiences span hunting expeditions, encounters with local characters, and daily life in a small prairie town during the Depression era. The narrative follows Mowat's coming-of-age alongside Mutt, capturing both the bond between a boy and his dog and the broader landscape of rural Canadian life. Through stories of their shared adventures, Mowat paints a portrait of Saskatchewan's natural world and its inhabitants. The book transcends the typical "boy and his dog" story by exploring themes of individuality, the human-animal connection, and the preservation of wild spaces. Its humor and warmth serve to illuminate deeper truths about growing up and finding one's place in the world.

Readers describe this memoir as heartwarming, humorous, and nostalgic, with many highlighting Mowat's storytelling ability and the book's blend of childhood adventure with dog companionship. The bond between Mutt and young Farley resonates with dog owners. What readers liked: - Vivid descriptions of life in Depression-era Saskatchewan - Balance of comedy with touching moments - Mutt's unique personality and quirks - Family dynamics and small-town life details What readers disliked: - Some found early chapters slower - A few readers noted dated cultural references - Minor complaints about hunting/outdoor scenes Ratings: Goodreads: 4.26/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (500+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "Made me laugh out loud multiple times" - Goodreads reviewer "Captures perfectly what it's like to grow up with a legendary dog" - Amazon review "The descriptions of prairie life are worth the read alone" - LibraryThing user

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🐾 Mutt, the dog in the story, taught himself to climb trees and walk along the tops of fences to get a better view of birds he was hunting. 📚 Author Farley Mowat wrote over 40 books during his career, selling more than 17 million copies worldwide in 52 languages. 🌾 The book is set in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan during the Great Depression of the 1930s, when the Canadian prairies were experiencing severe drought conditions. 🎯 Mutt developed such accurate hunting skills that he could calculate the exact spot where a bird would fall after being shot, running to that location before the bird even hit the ground. 🎨 The first edition of the book, published in 1957, featured charming illustrations by Paul Galdone, who was known for illustrating classic children's literature.