On Dogs: An Anthology

Calling all dog-lovers: On Dogs collects essays about man’s best friend by Charles Dickens, Vita Sackville-West, Brigitte Bardot, and Shakespeare, among others, with an introduction by acclaimed actor, comedian, and adopter of strays Tracey Ullman.

Dogs throughout history have always enjoyed a special relationship to humankind, and our favorite four-legged creatures continue to grow in popularity. In an insightful introduction by Tracey Ullman, (an inveterate adopter of strays), she asks what induces us to bring into our homes the most psychologically damaged and mistreated dogs. Why do we forgive bad behavior in dogs that we would not tolerate in our fellow human beings?

The selection includes pieces from Vita Sackville-West on the special attraction of mongrels; an extract from Mark Twain’s short story A Dog’s Tale ; Karen Blixen’s humorous tale of her deerhounds in Out of Africa; Roald Amundsen’s account of working with sled-dogs in the Polar regions; Lord Byron’s epitaph to his dog; and an open letter from Brigitte Bardot against puppy farms.

Loyal, mischievous, intelligent and fierce, this witty and moving anthology shows the many characteristics of dogs in the eyes of their owners and admirers: Charles Dickens, William Shakespeare, Elizabeth Gaskell, P.G. Wodehouse, Plato, and dozens more. Features black and white dog photographs by acclaimed photographer Rhian Ap Gruffydd.