Peter makes good, and stories of other dogs

Description

"Peter makes good, and stories of other dogs" by Gertrude Thomas is a collection of children’s dog stories written in the early 20th century. It blends a novella about a brave mixed-breed named Peter and his bond with a boy, Ralph, with a series of short, moral-tinged vignettes about many other dogs. The focus is on character, courage, and usefulness rather than pedigree. It will appeal to readers who enjoy heartwarming animal tales with gentle lessons. The opening of the collection follows Peter from his good-natured parentage to adoption by siblings Mabel and Ralph, his homesick first nights, and his growing loyalty and courage—guarding the children at street crossings, rescuing the family cat from pedigreed bullies, helping at ball games, and even trying to stamp out a woods fire. On the farm he aids with chores and fetches help when a bull menaces Ralph; later he tracks his college-bound master to campus, saves him from a dormitory fire, and is ultimately killed by a reckless car, inspiring Ralph to compile worthy dog tales. The book then pivots to “The Tattlers,” where a park quarrel between Pixie the pampered Pomeranian and Bob the young Airedale prompts Judge Airedale to curb gossip by making the dogs trade true stories of canine grit and service. Early tales include a poodle at a grand wedding, Airedale cleverness, a war-scarred ambulance dog, a shrewd farm hound-turned-detective, a German‑speaking Great Dane, a sailor’s water spaniel, loyal working-class dogs like Gyp and Buff, the devoted mongrel Whitey, a displaced Russian wolfhound, and Dan the milkman’s collie-shepherd—each spotlighting everyday bravery and devotion. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Subjects

• Dogs -- Juvenile fiction
• PZ