Muttley's Tale

by Brian L. Porter

Soon after the Porters adopted the former bait dog, Sheba, they decided to add another Staffordshire Bull Terrier to their pack of rescue dogs. A visit to their local rescue sanctuary saw them adopting a six-month old puppy, part of an abandoned litter that had literally been dumped at the gates of the sanctuary. They named him Muttley and he was soon assimilated into their canine family. They were't aware at the time, but poor Muttley had not one, but two unusual psychological problems that would lead to this little boy needing special treatment for the rest of his life. Most importantly, they had to learn to cope with an agoraphobic dog. This beautiful dog was quite simply afraid of wide open spaces! Can you imagine owning a dog that's afraid to go out for walks, or to enjoy running and playing with his packmates? How they learned to cope with Muttley's problem and his secondary issue of being afraid of other dogs is here in his story. Muttley's Tale is a story of love, understanding and patience, as Brian and Juliet gradually learned ways to bring happiness into Muttley's life, at times seemingly against the odds. Muttley is a real character who, despite his problems, has brought fun and laughter to the family.

178 pages, Hardcover

Published September 21, 2022

About the author

Formerly a member of the Royal Air Force, Brian L Porter is an award-winning author, and a dedicated dog rescuer, with the distinction of having more than twenty Amazon #1 bestsellers to his name. He has written under three pseudonyms, with bestsellers coming under each of his writing guises. The majority of those have come under his Brian L Porter name with four coming under his Harry Porter and Juan Pablo Jalisco names.

Nowadays, he divides his time between writing his popular Mersey Murder Mystery series of books, and his immensely successful true-life Family of Rescue Dogs series, all featuring the dogs that form part of his own family, and all having been Amazon #1 bestsellers.

Reviews

[B. Roman]

Compassion, sadness and unbridled joy
Porter has long fostered abused, discarded and special needs rescue dogs and has penned a series of memoirs about his beloved friends. Muttley’s Tale is the 8th book in the Family of Rescue Dogs Series. There is no arguing with success, and Porter’s pet-focused books are best sellers around the world because they are intimate, personal and rich in pathos. Porter is not just successful as an author but as a humanitarian who, along with his equally caring wife Juliet gives time, love and devotion to provide life, health and forever homes to these unique critters.
The commitment to the full range of responsibilities is challenging enough with one pet, let alone a dozen. There is a roller coaster of emotions experienced when you encounter sickness and health and countless trips to the vet. Giving them comfort as they cross over the Rainbow Bridge is the ultimate devotion. In this book, we learn that Porter’s empathy is boundless, even when his patience is strained, as the dogs show signs of aging, character quirks and behavioral problems. Muttley has his own share of idiosyncrasies, being the “Destructor,” agoraphobic and needing recurring mouth surgeries.
Porter gently weaves in the tales of his other pups who share the household with Muttley, giving us a window into their social interactions, and willingness to accept a new friend into the household. The photos are endearing as the pups frolic, sun bathe, and cuddle with one another in a bond that is easy and precious. When his “children” lose a best buddy, their mourning equals anything humans experience.
Going to a shelter to pick out one dog amongst the throngs of needy dogs takes enormous fortitude, but to take that journey dozens of times is heroic. Porter and his family are heroes to us and to his thankful, majestic, lovable and loving dogs. The amazing resilience and spirit of Porter’s dogs are definitely the result of knowing they are safe, secure and equally loved. Keep your Kleenex box handy and be prepared to have your heartstrings plucked and tugged until they sing.

[Peter Adams]

One dog – Thirty two legs – Hosanna

The definition of Hosanna is, ‘Save Me’, and this is what the Porter family do; they rescue dogs, give them a home and unconditional love. At one time I counted 8 dogs and each one treated equally as special, regardless if one is scared to go out, or another manic, or another growls like a dinosaur when he is happy, which needs to be explained every time he is walked, “He is not angry or dangerous, and he does this when he is happy”
So, one dog, thirty two legs.
Brian Porter is a well-known international bestselling author of crime thrillers, but as Brian, he shows a side not so readily discernible if you read only his magnificent crime novels.
This of course would be doing his wife Juliet and the two step-daughters a great disservice, all equally as loving and welcoming and, it is possible Juliet is the driving force behind the adoptions.
Brian Porter has written about every one of their dogs, recording their lives, the ups, the downs, their personalities, and Mutley’s tale is a thoroughly engaging story peppered with many wonderful pictures.
This is without doubt a most heartwarming and uplifting book – I recommend it – 5 stars.

[John Broughton]

Mystery novelist Brian L. Porter—you should read his brilliant Mersey mysteries if you haven’t yet— could hardly write the biography of his dog Muttley without throwing in a mystery. He keeps the reader wondering about the strange behaviour of his canine friend that puzzles even the most competent of vets. Brian variously describes his Staffordshire Bull Terrier as a beautiful boy and as a twit. Muttley is a handsome, loving, friendly dog, but mysteriously will not romp in the park or local woodlands with the rest of the pack, nor will he go serenely for a walk, especially if other neighbourhood dogs cross his path, then he emits a terrifying screeching sound not associated with dogs. What is the cause of his disturbing behaviour, follow Brian Porter’s adventure with Muttley and the other rescue dogs in his home as it unfolds with the consummate skill of the true writer and dog lover whose patience and empathy is put to the severest of tests. Another 5-star read from Mr Porter.

[Owen Clough]

Reading at its best.

I have read a few of Brian Porter's rescue dog books. I never tire of his stories.
His latest Muttley's Tale is the continuation of the great books that Mr. Porter has written on these abandoned dogs.
The case of Muttley is slightly different, dumped with a few of his siblings, Muttley has some rather unusual character traits for a wee Staffy pup. Not only was he quiet and fearful, but he was also terrified of the open spaces. Very unstaffy. It takes The Porter family love and time to integrate him into their lives with the help of the other seven rescue dogs that the family has acquired.
The story is very well written, bringing tears and laughter to the reader. What brings the story home is the photos. Another masterpiece from Brian Porter, a well-deserved five-star read

[Zach Abrams]

As with all of Mr Porter’s series of books, this was very well written and a most enjoyable read.
In this book we learn, in particular, how the author and his wife adopt Muttley as a pup and then realise, and learn to cope with, his mental health issues and emotional problems.
I found it heart-warming to hear about the boundless love and devotion that Brian and Juliet have for all their rescue dogs, and I am quite astounded how they cope with what must be enormous workload.
It clearly takes very special people to take on such a task, but it must also be rewarding for the way their pets clearly adore their owners.
I have tremendous respect for Brian and Juliet for all that they do and further applaud Brian for so effectively relating the stories so we can all feel part of it.

[Malcolm Archibald]

Muttley’s Tale is the eighth book in Brian Porter’s series about his family of rescue dogs. It is a book that reveals the author’s intense love of dogs, a roller-coaster ride of emotions that will be familiar to all dog- or all pet- owners. The reader will experience the highs of achievement and happiness when Muttley meets the other dogs in the author’s family, and reach for a handkerchief at the bad times. He or she will relive the anxiety of visits to the vet, and smile at the many photographs of Muttley and the other dogs in Porter Dogland. Muttley has a troubled life, happy with humans and doggy companions, but disrupted by visits to the vet.
Between Agoraphobia – I didn’t know dogs could be so afflicted – and dental troubles, this bouncing staffy enjoys his time in the park and likes to sunbathe. I can imagine Muttley lying on a beach somewhere in the Med, sprawled out . . . he perhaps happier in the back garden.
One word of caution – if you read this book, you’ll think this little dog is your own!

[Michele Northwood]

Muttley (or Mr Schmutts, his nickname) was just six months old when Brian and Juliet adopted him. He soon became a welcomed member of the Porter pack, but he also came with a host of problems. Any dog owner is aware of the puppy chewing stage, but Muttley takes it to the extreme. I think lesser dog lovers would have thrown in the towel and returned him to the kennels.

Then the author notices the dog’s reticence to interact with other dogs during his walks. He also won’t leave the couple whenever they let him off his lead. The Vet diagnoses him with agoraphobia, the fear of open spaces, but nothing is too much trouble for the dog loving pair. Porter takes him out on specially organised routes with one other dog to keep Muttley calm.

Like the other books in the series, there are plenty of photos of all the doggy pack which help to pull the story together and gives readers insights into the Porter’s well organised routine for the care and welfare of their doggy family.

A must read for Staffie/ Staffie cross lovers and anyone who loves animals. Five stars from me.

[Isobel Blackthorn]

Brian Porter is a man with a big heart. His memoirs of his rescue dogs tug at the heart strings and Muttley's Tale is no exception. Muttley, like all of Porter's dogs, is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a much maligned breed, and the author and his wife do a service in showing how wonderful these dogs can be, while demonstrating their tireless love and devotion to care for the sick and injured and abandoned. Imagine a dog with agoraphobia! I found this memoir a pleasure to read and appreciated the inclusion of photographs at the end.

[Brian Porter]

Muttley was part of a litter of puppies, abandoned ata rescue centre, where he languished for six long months, as one by one, his siblings were adopted. Though many people looked at this little boy, nobody wanted him enough to give him a forever home.
Then along came the author and his family and suddenly everything changed for the unwanted puppy. They decided to adopt him, gave him a name of his own, and within a few days Muttley as he was named, moved into his new home.
He had a new family, both human and canine and at last, he had a chance of a happy lifep. The author really makes us feel as though we know Muttley personally as, he relates the story of life with this beautiful rescue dog who they later discovered suffered from a horrible illness, especially for a dog.
Poor Muttley was found to be agoraphobic, he was afraid of open spaces, and even going for a walk would leave him a nervous wreck. I'm sure some people wouldn't have had the patience or given the time needed to help Muttley learn to live with his disability, which really has had a profound effect on his life. He was also afraid of other dogs, apart from the dogs at home who were now his family. Coping with a pup with so many problems must have been a herculean task.
Muttley's Tale is a super story that shows how love, abundant patience, understanding and lots of trial and error has helped this beautiful dog discover a happy life after the terrible start he had. With some great photos to accompany the writing, there are some laughs and tears along the way, as this eighth book in the series follows on from the previous books in telling an emotional and moving take of the life of yet another rescued pup, given the chance to live a happy life, despite his problems, in the home of the Porter family. A wholly recommended