Angus : A Memoir

Rating:
Summary: You Thought You Knew What Your Dog Meant
Review: Angus is a triumph on several levels. The one that most intrigued me was Charles Siebert's invention of dog attitudes, from the perspective, finally, thank you, of the dog! If you are not a dog person, this will have no meaning for you. But if you are, you will immediately recognize that the dog sees things very differently from us. So, OK, the author, often dashing those beliefs of ours as to why our furry children do things, makes it up! He hasn't REALLY been inside the brain of the dog. But, guess what? I think he has! I promise to you dog people out there that this book will make you laugh, cry, and say, "yes that's exactly what Heidi does!" .....or "Is THAT really what Renny meant by that?" I've just ordered a tall stack of Angus books from Amazon (this is not a paid endoresment) and I'm giving them to all my dog parent friends. This will be the highlight of their, and your, year.

Rating:
Summary: Re: Angus: A Memoir
Review: Angus: A Memoir is a beautiful book. I recommend it especially for dog lovers in general, and Jack Russell Terrier fans specifically. Angus is the story of a small dog looking back on his life as he lies dying. He contemplates his early life on a small farm in England, his adoption at eight weeks of age by two American authors and his adventures with them in England, NYC and the wilds of Canada. I really loved the author's ability place himself into the mind of a Jack Russell Terrier and to tell Angus' story from Angus' own perspective, without ascribing any sentimentality or human emotions to Angus. I found myself thinking "that's probably how my dog thinks".

I was also enjoyed Mr. Siebert's ability to make everyday relationships between humans and dogs exciting with his lyrical and fast-paced writing. I found myself crying and laughing, and crying and laughing over and over again as I read Angus' adventures.

At its deepest level, Angus is the story of the complex relationship between man and his civilized world, and the animal world which we still inhabit, to some extent.

I would highly recommend this book for a nice fall Saturday, or a foggy late summer day in a beach cabin. It is reflective and philosophical, without being tedious. Although the book deals with a small dog's death, the overall tone is not depressing. I found myself looking at my dog in a new light, and grateful for her companionship.

Rating:
Summary: Small Dog w/ Big Heart
Review: If you own a Jack Russell (I do!), or are just a dog lover, this book will resonate with your heart and soul.
It was funny, insightful and terribly heart breaking!
I loved it. Every detail of the dog's perspective came alive and I really liked that Angus was the actual protagonist.