When I was young, I read a life-changing book titled Beautiful Joe. It’s the story of a dog rescued from a life with an unimaginably cruel owner who cut off his ears and tail with an axe. Adopted by a kind family, Beautiful Joe goes on to heal, then blossom into a wonderful dog who, in turn, performs his own rescues. It was written by Nova Scotia author Margaret Marshall Saunders and is set in Canada.
What makes Beautiful Joe a great story is that it explores the way animals are commonly treated from the dog’s point of view. As with the great classic, Black Beauty, we see ourselves through the eyes of harmless beings who just want to live in peace.
This is one of the books that prompted me to embark on a life-long mission to bring home every sad, sick, or broken animal I found and to try to fix it up. It’s also a very old book, first published in 1894, and it’s sad to think that the same book could have been written, with little change, today. The message is as valid today as it was back at the turn of the century. It’s a good read for anyone who loves animals.
A number of readers who loved the story of Beautiful Joe have banded together in the form of a society to honour both the book and its author. They created a park in Ontario at the grave site of Beautiful Joe. The park is graced with a statue of the book’s hero and the theme of the park, awareness of animal welfare, is carried throughout. Activities such as performances by the SuperDogs and Blessing of the Animals services are held within its green spaces.
You can find more information about the book, the Society, and the park at www.beautifuljoe.org.
What makes Beautiful Joe a great story is that it explores the way animals are commonly treated from the dog’s point of view. As with the great classic, Black Beauty, we see ourselves through the eyes of harmless beings who just want to live in peace.
This is one of the books that prompted me to embark on a life-long mission to bring home every sad, sick, or broken animal I found and to try to fix it up. It’s also a very old book, first published in 1894, and it’s sad to think that the same book could have been written, with little change, today. The message is as valid today as it was back at the turn of the century. It’s a good read for anyone who loves animals.
A number of readers who loved the story of Beautiful Joe have banded together in the form of a society to honour both the book and its author. They created a park in Ontario at the grave site of Beautiful Joe. The park is graced with a statue of the book’s hero and the theme of the park, awareness of animal welfare, is carried throughout. Activities such as performances by the SuperDogs and Blessing of the Animals services are held within its green spaces.
You can find more information about the book, the Society, and the park at www.beautifuljoe.org.
1 comment:
I found this book on my Kindle for free and decided to download it. I've always liked dog books, and when I started this I was immediately hooked. I haven't finished it yet, but it is a wonderful book so far!
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