Great story , full of love and respect from both Pat(the dog) and the people HE chose to love. I have 4 Yorkies and a Cock a Poo. All beautiful and loving. They have a good life with myself & husband then my Mom moved in with us. SHE now has 4 Yorkies and a Cock 3Poo as they now love her, guard over her and are worried like crazy when she is in hospital. Dogs are so sensitive and intuitive they realize she is frail and they all seem to take turns being with her. My furbabies range in age from 7 to 12 years old. 2 arrived as babies 14 weeks old, all others were born here and will never leave. People are Blessed when loved by a dog. The joy and quality of life they can give is unmatched by any other animal. Truly enjoyed this story.

This is a touching story of a dog who adopts a couple and a a rural community to be his family and home, & of the family that becomes enchanted with the dog. Beautiful storytelling and descriptions absolutely flow from this author, whose experiences with this enigma of a dog are so heartfelt that the road they live on and the fields they cross and the thoughts they’re feeling become yours. I couldn’t put it down!

I didn't like losing Mike...😘😅😘😅 I'm also glad you could keep Pat..........😘😘 That is why I can't work for a vet . I cannot stand to see animals get hurt or sick. To think I am a retired nurse ( 50 years) in the ER.

It's a well-written book and I'm glad I found out it was actually written in the 1960's. I should have figured it out myself, considering that the author and his wife lived on so much open space. Probably not that much open space in this day and age in all of New England. I read this with 21st century sensibilities about treatment of animals. I'm not a PETA member, but believe that if you have a pet you should keep track of where it goes, where it sleeps and show some concern about it when the weather is inclement. I was bothered by the fact that the author punished the dog for being a dog ("I wore out a weekday edition of The New York Times trying to slap some sense into him, and still he howled and struggled at the chain.") He allows the dog to swim across the river and nearly drown, even though the author and his wife are on a boat. He allows the dog to run the roads and mountainside where the dog is severely injured by a bobcat, and where he is attacked by a pack of stray dogs. He keeps locking his dog outside in an unheated shed even when the temperature reaches -18 degrees. In spite of this, the dog "Pat" chose to remain with the author and his wife, and they eventually came to an understanding. Pat was the boss and in charge of his own comings and goings.

A story about a dog with a heart full of love with a huge dose of courage. I loved this story, maybe you will as well.

This was a great read. It is so true how a dog picks its owner. We owned a springer spaniel named Patrick who was a delight and a wonder. I loved your various descriptions of your dog relating to you. In fact, I enjoyed every page you wrote but find myself in tears as I write this just rhinking of Patrick and later on Gracie and Jessie. Thank you for your eloquent writing and evident love for your dog.

I am going to get my issue with this story right out of the way first. It has bothered me throughout reading this delightful and endearing story. This book was first published in1961. The author and his wife of which the book was dedicated to were still alive. Much of what was written still rings true today. This book is now decades old. The author and his immediate family are long gone. Every version’s book cover over the years were true to the dog who this book is a tribute to, EXCEPT THIS LAST ONE. It is clear that the descendants of Hal Borland who receive royalties still today, DID NOT BOTHER TO READ THE BOOK THEY COLLECT MONEY FROM. Had they done so, the would have NEVER allowed the book cover that is currently in the book. Over the years there have been many book covers, all of which correctly represented the author and his dog Pat, until this current book cover. The cover looks NOTHING alike the dog or his owner. The dog was described in detail in the story and there have been snapshots and drawings in the past publications. I believe the author and his wife would have been unhappy in the very least. I as a reader am disgusted and enraged. This slight from those who happily collect Hal Borland’s money is extremely inconsiderate. I know I would not want to know these people. Hal Borland with his words ( and his cover pictures) made a timeless record of his beloved dog, memorialized his family, friends and the wonderful way of life they lived on their 100 acres in the country. Nothing and no one should desecrate that, especially while taking Hal Borland’s money for his talented writing. Very little remains of a magical time and the people who lived then. No one should carelessly throw that away! My impassioned above comments are because this book carried me to a time and place that was not only wholesome, but challenging and beautiful. Each day brought more adventures and revealed more of nature’s treasures. The people were those who I would want to know and call my friends. It was a beautiful story of a wonderful time with lovely people, charming pets on a magical unspoiled land. It was well worth five stars and more. I removed one star for the unthinking decision of those in charge who threw away the accurate visual from this book.

Wonderful story of a dog who had an amazing way about him and all the people and animals he touched during his lifetime.